A day in the life of a Medical Laboratory Technician

Summary

Faezeh, a Microbiology and Molecular Technician at Wellington SCL, explains her role in diagnosing diseases by testing various samples such as blood, urine, and faeces. She discusses the difference between microbiology, which focuses on growing microorganisms, and molecular biology, which targets genetic material. Faezeh highlights the diverse, hands-on nature of her job, which involves shift work and sample handling. Passionate about helping people, she emphasizes the importance of scientific thinking and the rewarding challenge of her work in human health. To enter this field, a science degree and certification as a Medical Laboratory Technician are required.

Takeaways

• 😀 Faezeh works as a Microbiology and Molecular Technician at Wellington SCL, helping diagnose diseases and infections.
• 😀 Laboratory technicians, like Faezeh, are often compared to 'science detectives' who assist doctors in diagnosing and selecting treatments.
• 😀 Microbiology involves studying microorganisms like bacteria and fungi, while Molecular focuses on the genetic material (DNA/RNA) of those microorganisms.
• 😀 In microbiology, bacteria can be grown for testing, while in molecular biology, genetic material is the primary focus.
• 😀 Faezeh’s daily work includes analyzing samples such as blood, urine, faeces, and swabs from various body parts.
• 😀 The job involves shift work, with varying hours, including a typical 8 AM to 4:30 PM shift, and sometimes later shifts.
• 😀 Workload can fluctuate daily and seasonally, so the number of samples handled can vary.
• 😀 Faezeh enjoys the variety of work and the challenge of identifying different microorganisms in each case.
• 😀 Her role includes conducting tests like Faecal PCR, which helps diagnose gastrointestinal issues caused by bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter.
• 😀 A career in this field requires a science-related Bachelor's degree, a Medical Laboratory exam, and one year of full-time work to become a registered technician.
• 😀 The job is physically demanding and involves a lot of sample handling, as well as being on your feet for long periods of time.

Q & A

What is the role of a Microbiology and Molecular Technician at Wellington SCL?

A Microbiology and Molecular Technician at Wellington SCL conducts tests to help diagnose diseases and infections, assisting doctors in choosing the correct treatment. They analyze various samples, including blood, urine, and feces, to identify microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.

How does microbiology testing differ from molecular testing?

In microbiology, technicians work with samples that can be cultured and grown in the lab, allowing for tests like antibiotic susceptibility. In molecular testing, the focus is on the genetic material (DNA or RNA) of microorganisms, where technicians detect genetic markers to identify the pathogens.

What types of samples does Faezeh work with in her role?

Faezeh works with a variety of samples including blood, urine, feces, and different types of swabs, such as throat, genital, and wound swabs. Each sample can contain different bacteria or microorganisms that need to be tested.

What is Faecal PCR testing, and why is it important?

Faecal PCR testing is used to detect gastrointestinal pathogens such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Giardia in fecal samples. It's crucial for diagnosing infections that cause gastrointestinal problems, enabling doctors to prescribe the appropriate treatment.

How does the workload in Faezeh's department vary?

The workload can fluctuate depending on the day and the season. Faezeh notes that while she might handle a few samples on one day, on other days she could be dealing with over a hundred samples, requiring her to adapt to the varying demands.

What are the physical and mental demands of working as a laboratory technician?

The role involves long periods of standing, as technicians are on their feet handling samples and conducting tests. Mentally, it requires attention to detail, the ability to troubleshoot, and scientific thinking to interpret results and ensure accuracy.

What kind of person would be well-suited to this role?

The role suits individuals who are passionate about human health, enjoy scientific thinking, and are open to challenges. It also requires someone who is comfortable with shift work and handling physical tasks such as sample preparation and analysis.

What qualifications are necessary to become a registered Medical Laboratory Technician?

To become a registered Medical Laboratory Technician, candidates must have a science-related Bachelor's degree, pass a Medical Laboratory exam by the Medical Council, and complete one year of full-time work experience.

What career progression options exist for lab technicians after gaining experience?

After gaining experience, laboratory technicians can move into roles such as research, team leadership, or management. Some also choose to continue their studies part-time to become medical scientists while working full-time in the lab.

What does Faezeh find most fulfilling about her job?

Faezeh finds the most fulfillment in knowing that her work helps people by contributing to accurate diagnoses and effective treatments. She values the impact her work has on public health and the opportunity to make a difference in patients' lives.