Careers Laboratory Science Information Provided By: Georgia Statewide Area Health Education Center (AHEC) PowerPoint Presentation By: Juliane Monko & Dr. Frank Flanders CTAE Resource Network, June 2009 Based On PowerPoint Ideas From: Penny Howard, RN, Healthcare Science Instructor

AHECAHEC There are six centers in the Georgia AHEC Network, and each serves a multi-county region. The AHEC mission is to meet the health needs of Georgia by improving the supply, distribution and quality of healthcare providers. AHECs offer enrichment programs, camps, learning tools, student counseling, volunteer and mentoring activity coordination, and access to other educational resources. Contact your regional AHEC for more information.

Objectives Students will be able to describe health careers in the field of Laboratory Science. Students will be able to plan a healthcare career path in Laboratory Science.

Careers in Laboratory Science Cytotechnologist Histology Technician/Histotechnologist Medical Laboratory Technician Medical Technologist Phlebotomist

Cytotechnologist

Cytotechnologists specialize in the study of cells. They mount samples of the body's cells on slides and study them under a microscope. They look for changes in cell structures, color, shape, and size. These changes could be signs of cancer, pre-cancerous growths, hormonal problems, or the presence of another disease. These conditions are reported to a pathologist (physician specializing in the origin and nature of diseases) for further study.

Work Environment Salary Educational institutions Hospitals Private laboratories Research facilities Average Starting Salary $39,832  Figures according to 2006 data. To see updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at: Cytotechnologist

Cytotechnologist Educational Requirements Students must complete four years of formal education leading to a Bachelor of Science degree emphasizing biology and chemistry. Cytotechnology programs are generally 12 months long.

Histology Technician/Histotechnologist

Histology is the microscopic study of tissues and their structures. Histology technicians (HTs) and histotechnologists (HTLs) are experts in slide preparation. They prepare tissues by immersing them in fluid to prevent decay, replacing the specimen's water with wax, slicing the tissue and applying dyes.

Histology Technician/Histotechnologist The slides are microscopically examined by a pathologist or scientist for diagnosis. Samples are also used for teaching and research. Histotechnologists perform more specialized procedures, such as electron microscopy to identify tissue parts and relate them to body functions. They can also establish new laboratory and quality control procedures.

Work Environment Salary Hospital laboratories Pharmaceutical companies Physicians' offices Public health departments Research facilities Average Starting Salary $38,469 (Histotechnologist), $31,450 (Histology Technician)  Figures according to 2006 data. To see updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at: Histology Technician/Histotechnologist

Histology Technician/Histotechnologist Academic Requirements Students interested in becoming histology technicians may complete one of two routes of study. They may enter accredited histology programs or acquire associate degrees plus one year of laboratory experience. Students interested in becoming a histotechnologist must complete a histologic curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree. Those with bachelor's degrees in related fields may also enter accredited histologic programs.

Medical Laboratory Technician

Usually under the supervision of medical technologists, medical laboratory technicians (MLTs) collect, type and group blood. They stain slides and perform routine tests on the body's blood, tissues, and fluids. MLTs keep records and clean and sterilize equipment. They use microscopes, computers, and other laboratory equipment to gather data used to determine the absence, presence, extent and cause of diseases.

Work Environment Salary Blood donation centers Hospital labs Nursing homes Pharmaceutical companies Physicians' offices Public health departments Research facilities Universities Average Starting Salary $28,122  Figures according to 2006 data. To see updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at: Medical Laboratory Technician

Medical Laboratory Technician Academic Requirements A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Two years of course work and laboratory experience are required to obtain an associate degree. Twelve-month certificate programs are also available. Students with two years of college or a related associate degree can become technicians by completing an accredited medical laboratory technician program and fulfilling other science and lab experience requirements.

Medical Technologist

Medical technologists (MTs), also known as clinical laboratory scientists, are the backbone of nearly every laboratory. They ensure a well run operation by providing reliable results, controlling quality, and training and supervising lab technicians. They provide data so that doctors and researchers can determine the presence and extent of disease and evaluate effectiveness of treatment.

Medical Technologist MTs often choose specialty areas such as drug testing, therapeutic drug monitoring and biogenetics. Areas of Specialization:  Blood Banking  Clinical Chemistry  Hematology  Immunology/Serology  Microbiology

Work Environment Salary Blood banks Colleges and universities Consulting Forensics Government facilities Hospital laboratories Medical supply and sales Nursing homes Physicians' offices Private and commercial laboratories Public health departments Research facilities Average Starting Salary $37,003  Figures according to 2006 data. To see updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at: Medical Technologist

Medical Technologist Academic Requirements Bachelor degree programs include three to four years of course work and 12 months of clinical practice. In some schools, college science graduates can complete a one-year program which leads to a certificate or degree in medical technology. Certified medical lab technicians and students who have completed two years of general college courses may enter two-year medical technology programs.

Phlebotomist

As part of the laboratory team, phlebotomists collect and process blood to be analyzed. They have a great deal of patient contact and help calm nervous patients before beginning the blood collection process.

Phlebotomist Their education and experience help them to draw blood with the least possible anxiety and discomfort to the patient. Phlebotomists are usually supervised by a medical technologist.

Work Environment Salary Blood donation centers Clinics Home health agencies Hospitals Insurance companies Pheresis (blood separation) centers Physicians' offices Public health departments Reference laboratories Phlebotomist Average Starting Salary $21,673  Figures according to 2006 data. To see updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at:

Phlebotomist Academic Requirements A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Training can be obtained through one- year, on-the-job instruction or through a formal phlebotomy program, which lasts several months.

Summary There is a variety of careers available in Laboratory Science. Educational requirements vary by career and career level. Students interested in these careers should use the information provided here as a basis for a career plan. The student should also research the career further to complete a career plan. Career available in Laboratory Science include: Cytotechnologist Histology Technician/Histotechnologist Medical Laboratory Technician Medical Technologist Phlebotomist