What does a medical technologist do?

A laboratory associate's responsibilities revolve around preparing test samples and subjecting them into different examination processes for scientific purposes. Aside from performing extensive analysis, they are also responsible for recording data, reviewing findings, collaborating with other scientists, and producing various reports and presentations. A laboratory associate can work for an institution or private company; they may also choose to contribute their studies in different publications and research activities. Furthermore, as a laboratory practitioner, it is essential to adhere to all the laboratory safety policies and regulations, ensuring a safe and healthy work environment.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a medical technologist are more likely to require skills like "clinical laboratory," "ascp," "basic math," and "blood pressure." On the other hand, a job as a laboratory associate requires skills like "chemistry," "specimen collection," "equipment maintenance," and "data integrity." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

A laboratory aide is primarily responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and order in laboratories, all while performing support tasks for scientists. Their duties revolve around arranging specimens and samples, transporting materials from one laboratory to another, preparing apparatuses and machines, and storing them accordingly. A laboratory aide may also run errands, produce progress reports, sanitize areas and instruments, and properly dispose of chemicals and other hazardous waste. Furthermore, it is crucial to implement the laboratory's safety policies and regulations, ensuring a safe and healthy laboratory environment for everyone.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, medical technologist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "clinical laboratory," "ascp," "customer service," and "microbiology." Meanwhile, a laboratory aide has duties that require skills in areas such as "test results," "blood specimens," "phone calls," and "computer programs." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

A laboratory assistant/phlebotomist is responsible for drawing blood samples and other laboratory tests, labeling specimens, and performing administrative and clerical duties as needed. Laboratory assistants/phlebotomists should ensure that the laboratory tools and equipment are stored and secured in a safe area, as well as regularly sterilizing testing tools to avoid contamination upon the use of the patients. They must be highly knowledgeable of the medical procedures and processes, responding to the patients' inquiries and concerns, and providing a timely update of medical results.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, medical technologists are more likely to have skills like "clinical laboratory," "ascp," "basic math," and "osha." But a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist is more likely to have skills like "blood specimens," "phlebotomy procedures," "specimen collection," and "lab specimens."

A laboratory coordinator is responsible for supporting laboratory examinations and experiments, collecting laboratory samples, and ensuring the efficiency and performance of laboratory tools and equipment. Laboratory coordinators maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the laboratory facility at all times to avoid contaminations and hazards that may affect laboratory results and accuracy of examinations. They also perform scientific processes under the supervision of a scientist or laboratory technicians and keep an organized report of findings in the database.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between medical technologists and laboratory coordinators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a medical technologist might have more use for skills like "clinical laboratory," "ascp," "customer service," and "microbiology." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of laboratory coordinators require skills like "chemistry," "laboratory safety," "lab procedures," and "equipment maintenance. "