In an effort to draw attention to the various available careers in healthcare, each month this page will highlight different professions and feature real people who are employed in the healthcare industry.

A Day in the Life of a Medical Technologist/Lab Technician

Tabatha Carroll Medical Technologist Louisiana Medical Center & Heart Hospital

"During my first year of college, I thought I wanted to go to medical school. I went to tour the school at LSU Health Sciences Center, and the Allied Health School had set up booths for all of their departments. One of the instructors talked to me for awhile about what exactly a medical technologist does, and I thought it would be a great way to get some experience and exposure to the medical field while pursuing my medical career."
Shayna Harper, Medical Technologist
St. Tammany Parish Hospital

"I have a science background and working in a hospital lab was a further extension of this."
Mike Twardzik, Lab Technician
Fairway Medical Surgical Hospital

2. What do you like most about working in the lab?

"I love that every day is different. The lab at St. Tammany sees many different types of cases, but it is still small enough that all of the technologists do not have to specialize. As a generalist, I get to work in all sections of the lab."
Shayna Harper, Medical Technologist
St. Tammany Parish Hospital

"I like the automation of the equipment and working with such high-tech machinery/instruments."
Mike Twardzik, Lab Technician
Fairway Medical Surgical Hospital

"One of the things I like most about being a Medical Technologist and working in a hospital lab is that we work behind the scenes. Even though we have little direct patient contact, our results can have a big impact on patient care."
Tabatha Carroll, Medical Technologist
Louisiana Medical Center & Heart Hospital

3. What do you like least about working in the lab?

"Because we are behind the scenes, I do not think that we get the recognition that most healthcare providers receive. I do not think that the general public even knows that a career as a medical technologist exists. Our role in providing quality healthcare is a vital one, and it would be nice if more people knew about us and what we do."
Shayna Harper, Medical Technologist
St. Tammany Parish Hospital

"We are the least respected of the allied health professions, compared to physical therapists, ultrasound techs, etc... There is a shortage of hospital lab technicians, because of the pay."
Mike Twardzik, Lab Technician
Fairway Medical Surgical Hospital

4. Please describe the training you received to work in the lab? How long did it take?

"I completed two years of prerequisite coursework at the University of Louisiana- Monroe before applying to the Clinical Laboratory Science program as LSUHSC New Orleans. The program lasted two full years, going through fall, spring, and summer semesters. The last four months of the program were our clinical praticum courses which were done at a hospital in the New Orleans area. Upon completion, I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology and took my Board of Registry exam in order to receive certification as a medical technologist. Also after becoming certified, I applied for my state license. Not all states require a license, but Louisiana does require that we have a state issued license to work. To maintain my certification and licensure, I must complete twelve credit hours of continuing education each year."
Shayna Harper, Medical Technologist
St. Tammany Parish Hospital

"A Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology is a four-year degree, which is offered by schools in either 3/1 or 2/2 programs. The first being three years of undergrad followed by one year of clinical rotation; the latter being two years of undergrad and two years of clinical rotation, which I believe most schools do now."
Mike Twardzik, Lab Technician
Fairway Medical Surgical Hospital

"I graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi (a four-year program) with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology. However, several nearby colleges offer Associate Degrees to become Medical Laboratory Technicians."
Tabatha Carroll, Medical Technologist
Louisiana Medical Center & Heart Hospital

5. What advice do you have for stuents who are considering working in a lab?

"If you are interested in a healthcare career but are not sure about the one-on-one patient contact, then the lab is the place for you. We seldom have to see patients, but we are very involved in their diagnosis and treatment. The education required is challenging, but the benefits of this career are more than worth the effort."
Shayna Harper, Medical Technologist
St. Tammany Parish Hospital

"Check out the different sized hospitals and how that affects lab work. Larger hospitals tend to have more independent, isolated lab work, while in smaller hospitals lab technicians can work in several different areas. Find the one that fits your personality best."
Mike Twardzik, Lab Technician
Fairway Medical Surgical Hospital

"I would encourage students who enjoy and who do well in math and science to consider pursuing a career in the clinical laboratory."
Tabatha Carroll, Medical Technologist
Louisiana Medical Center & Heart Hospital

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