MEDICAL LAB

TECHNOLOGISTS:
THE ‘HIDDEN
PROFESSION’
THAT SAVES
LIVES
 M EDI CAL
TECHNOLOGI
STS
 The identification, diagnosis and treatment of disease require a skilled
detective, someone who knows what clues to look for and can communicate
their findings to provide insight on the best course of action.
 Medical lab scientists exist as the detectives of the healthcare field.
 With a broad base of expertise — chemistry, hematology, microbiology and
more — they are often the first people to spot cancer, diabetes and other life-
threatening conditions.
 Medical lab scientists are a m ong the most integral parts of healthcare teams.
 They analyze biological specimens — from cells to blood and other bodily
fluids — and their analysis can help guide doctors’ decisions.
WHAT IS MEDICAL
LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY?

Lab science professionals work very closely

with physicians and are at the frontlines of
testing and analyzing samples from patients.
The amount of information that can be
ontained from these lab results span from early
disease detection and prevention to providing
insight on how to treat cancers, diabetes, heart
disease and other conditions.
WHAT IS MEDICAL LABORATORY
TECHNOLOGY?
Medical lab scientists touch almost every
aspect of healthcare, but the general
public is largely not familiar with the work
they do.
 In addition to this lack of understanding
of medical lab technologists roles, the
public is unfamiliar with their importance.
 Because patients often don’t see medical
lab technologists, it can make it difficult for
them to understand the crucial work they
do.
WHAT A CAREER AS AN MEDICAL
LABORATORY PROFESIONAL ENTAILS
• Medical laboratory
scientist • Molecular biologist
• Medical laboratory • Pathologists
technician
• Clinical chemist
• Cytotechnologist
• Technologist in
• Histotechnologist cytogenetics
• Phlebotomist
The fight against COVID-19 proved how
instrumental medical lab technologists are.
Early on, they were on the frontlines ensuring
that testing was done quickly and accurately.
This critical diagnostic role shone a light on lab
scientists and how they work to save lives. In
this case, by identifying positive cases, lab
scientists helped doctors begin treatment quickly,
start effective contact tracing and take the first
step in reducing the spread.
TECHNOLOG
YShaping the Future
of Healthcare
TECHNOLOGY SHAPING THE
FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE

 Like any scientific practice, lab science is an ever-

evolving field.
 A popular career track among MLT professionals
is working to research, develop and manufacture
advancements in the latest instruments.
 Recent advancements in the field include the
development of more sophisticated instruments
that can diagnose diseases in a much more timely
fashion.
 For example, if someone had an infection
and doctors wanted to know whether it was
resistant to certain drugs or treatments, it
used to take days, or even a week, to figure
out.
 Now, thanks to advancements in
instrumentation it can be done in 24 hours.
 The same is true for recent changes to the
way tuberculosis is diagnosed. Previously it
took weeks for organisms to grow to
identify the disease, but now it can be done
at a molecular level.
 Other recent advancements
include:
Machine learning.
Uses of machine learning include the
quality review of lab results and
disease or outcome prediction.

Expanded genome 3D printing.

screening
A greater understanding of
patients genetic makeup
offers greater insight into
diagnoses and treatment.
The expanded use of
3D printing has led
to the development
of custom 3D-printed
equipment.
SHAPE
PATIENT
OUTCOMES
WITH AN
MLT
DEGREE
IMPORTANCE OF
MEDICAL LAB
TECHNOLOGISTS
 Given t h e i m p o r t a n c e of t h e
w o r k c o n d u c t e d b y lab
professionals, it’s crucial
t h a t t h e public h a v e a
g r e a t e r a w a r e n e s s of t h e
role t h e y p l a y in healthcare.
This is a challenge b e c a u s e
t h e n a t u r e of t h e job t e n d s
to d r a w people w h o a r e
m o r e i n t e r e s t e d in t h e
b e h i n d - t h e - s c e n e s aspect s
of me dici ne a n d t h e
intricacies of lab science.
CONCLUSION:
Medical Technologists are also frontliners that you may not see physically in
reason of they are inside the laboratories, facilities, studying and testing your
lab results. They are in high-risk of getting several type of diseases, because
they are the one who tests, receive, and study your specimen and have one of
the most untidy work in medical fields. Their efforts are not acknowledged
enough by some of the people because they do not see them physically, but
they have the same effort and work as other medical frontliners we see like
nurses, and doctors. We should thank them for risking their life to save ours.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, MEDICAL TECHNOLOGISTS.
T HANK
YOU
ANY
QUESTIONS?