Medical Laboratory Technicians
Other titles : biochemistry technologist - medical laboratory, blood bank technologist, technical assistant – pathology (health and social services network), technologist, medical laboratory
Details
Description :
Medical laboratory technologists conduct 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. Pathologists' assistants assist at autopsies and examinations of surgical specimens or perform autopsies under a pathologist's supervision. They are usually employed in hospitals.
Main duties :
Medical laboratory technologists
- conduct chemical analyses of blood, urine, cerebro-spinal and other body fluids;
- study blood cells and other tissue 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 and for medical laboratory experiments;
- perform blood group, type and compatibility tests for transfusion purposes;
- may perform the duties of a pathologist's assistant in some hospitals.
Pathologists' assistants
- prepare for autopsies by obtaining patients' medical records and arranging for radiographic examinations;
- assist with or perform autopsies and surgical specimen examinations under pathologists' supervision;
- dissect, examine, weigh and photograph organs and specimens, collect tissue specimens for chemical analysis and record findings;
- may prepare bodies for release to funeral homes following completion of autopsies;
- may perform the duties of a medical laboratory technologist in some hospitals.
Medical laboratory technologists may specialize in areas such as clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, hematology, histotechnology, immunohematology and cytotechnology.
Regions where this career
has the best propspects:
- Montérégie
- Abitibi-Témiscamingue
- Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine
- Laval
- Lanaudière
- Chaudière-Appalaches
- Laurentides
- Outaouais
- Estrie
- Centre-du-Québec
- Mauricie
- Capitale-Nationale
- Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean
- Bas-Saint-Laurent
Training
Diploma of College Studies (DCS)
Biomedical Laboratory Technology
Program length : 3 years
Program Objectives
This program aims to train technicians to perform analyses or technical work and to collaborate on research and development to provide data or interpret results in human pathophysiology, in diagnosing and treating illness. To accomplish this, the student will be able to perform analyses in biochemistry, microbiology, hematology, hemostasis, as well as perform outside lab analyses, tests, prepare tissue samples and to prepare blood products.
The attitudes necessary to their profession are, the sense of a responsibility, ability to manage stress, to maintain standards of quality and professional ethics.
Those obtaining a diploma in this program will be able to work in a health establishment, a public health centre, in a private lab or in a reasearch centre.
Where this program is available