Medical Technologist

A Medical Technologist conducts medical laboratory tests, experiments and analyses to assist in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. They are employed in medical laboratories in hospitals, private clinics, research institutions and universities.

Tasks

Conduct chemical analyses of blood, urine, stool, cerebro-spinal and other body fluids;
Study blood cells and other tissues to determine their relation to various physiological and pathological conditions;
Prepare tissue sections for microscopic examinations using techniques to demonstrate special cellular tissue elements or other characteristics;
Establish procedures for the analysis of specimens for medical laboratory experiments;
Perform blood group, type and compatibility tests for transfusion purposes;
May supervise and train other medical laboratory technologists and other medical laboratory workers;
May perform duties of a pathologist assistant in some hospitals.

Basic Educational Requirements

Medical Technologists require a bachelor �s degree in Medical Technology and must pass the board exam conducted by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). The course of a Medical Technologist include general college courses with high emphasis in chemistry, biological sciences, mathematics and computer sciences plus all of the clinical courses that are practice areas for the profession which includes clinical chemistry, bacteriology, immunology, hematology, immuno-hematology, virology, parasitology, and mycology.

Skills and Competencies

A Medical Technologist must be knowledgeable in all of the laboratory procedures in areas such as clinical chemistry, microbiology, hematology, serology and urinalysis to help a physician identify a patient�s disease and evaluate effective treatment. He/She should be able to use a wide array of intricate precision equipment for analyses such as microscopes, automatic analyzers, electronic counters, spectrophotometers and other sophisticated laboratory equipment.

Physical Attributes and Characteristics

Must have a desire to serve mankind coupled with a willingness to work quietly behind the scene;
Must be accurate, reliable, have an interest in science and be able to recognize their responsibility for human lives;
Good communication skills both oral and written.

Salary/Compensation

Entry-level Medical Technologists working in government hospitals and public health agencies receive a salary grade of 11 (P10,535) while the highest is that of Medical Technologist V which has a salary grade of 22 (P19,251). In some private hospitals, entry-level medical technologists receive a take home pay of P10,000 to P12,000 per month.

Prospects for Career Advancement

An experienced Medical Technologist may advance to supervisory positions as chief medical technologist or laboratory manager in large hospitals. Opportunities for faculty positions in medical laboratory science programs are open to those with post-graduate degrees and are interested in teaching.

Employment Opportunities

There is a steady demand for Medical Technologists locally and overseas. The following needs a Medical Technologist in their organization: hospital laboratories, clinics, health maintenance organizations, public health agencies, pharmaceutical firms, research institutions, scientific equipment companies, physicians� offices, and schools offering clinical laboratory science programs.

Cost of Education *

The cost of taking up a B.S. Medical Technology course ranges from P260,000 to P310,000.

* Based on tuition fee rates for school year 2007 - 2008

Source: Bureau of Local Employment, Manila, Philippines.