Nature of work
As a cytologist or you could be known as medical laboratory scientist you have to carry out working with medical laboratory technicians on collecting samples and performing tests to analyze body fluids, tissue, and other substances.As a medical laboratory technologist and medical laboratory technician you have to handle different job responsibilities, If you are a technologist you will perform more complex tests and procedures than do technicians, and typically supervising technicians. If you think in applying for a technologist position in small laboratories you will perform many types of tests, while in large laboratories they generally specialize.
On the other hand, if you are a technician your tasks revolve around analyzing body fluids such as blood, urine, and tissue samples to determine normal or abnormal findings, Operating sophisticated laboratory equipment such as microscopes and cell counters.
In addition, you have to log data from medical test, enter results into a patient’s medical record then discuss results and find of laboratory tests and procedures with physicians.
Environment of work
If you are considering applying to a cytologist position, be prepared to spend long periods standing to collect samples, and you may need to lift or turn disabled patients. Furthermore, you must always be clean and well lit and you must wear protective masks, gloves, and goggles for your safety and protection; however, some of the materials you use may produce fumes.In addition, your personnel should be trained to work with infectious specimens. Also you should know that few hazards might exist when you follow proper methods to control infection and sterilize equipment.
As a medical laboratory technologist and technician you will have to work full time. When working in facilities that operate around the clock, such as hospitals and some independent laboratories, you may need to work evening, weekend, or overnight hours.
Professional life
An increase in the aging population will lead to a greater need to diagnose medical conditions, such as cancer or type 2 diabetes, through laboratory procedures. You will be needed to use and maintain the equipment needed for diagnosis and treatment.Your typical monthly starting salaries: from 35000 SYP
Getting the job
Being a high school student and interested in pursuing a career in the medical laboratory sciences require taking courses in chemistry, biology, and mathematics.You need a bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory technology includes courses in chemistry, biology, microbiology, mathematics, and statistics, as well as courses on clinical laboratory skills, management, and education.
The courses are offered through a hospital-based program that you can attend during the senior year of college.
Skills
Besides a bachelor’s degree, you must show evidences of some skills such as compassionate, because you usually work closely with patients who may be in extreme pain or emotional stress. It is necessary to be empathetic while completing challenging tasks. Also, you must follow exact instructions from physicians in order to perform the correct tests or procedures, for this reason detail oriented is a required skill.As we have mentioned before, working long periods while collecting samples is necessary, for you may need lift or turn disabled patients to collect samples for testing. In that case, stamina is an important skill. You may have to work with your hands like working closely with needles and precise laboratory instruments and handling these tools effectively, so dexterity is another skill you must show. Additionally, you must have technical skills because you are expected to operate complex machinery.
Sources and references
For further information we suggest you visit the following websites: www.cytopathology.org, American Society of Cytopathology,
jcs.biologists.org, Journal of Cell Science
Arab Standard Classification of Occupations, 2008, Ed. Arab Labor Organization
Summary
In case you get a job in cytologist position, you will work with medical laboratory technicians on collecting samples and tests to analyze body fluids, tissue, and other substances. The following are examples of types of specialized medical laboratory technologists:Blood bank technologists, or immunohematology technologists, Clinical chemistry technologists, Cytotechnologists , Immunology technologists , Microbiology technologists and Molecular biology technologists.