What is MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY and why I chose it?

As I graduated from high school, I was really firm with my plan of choosing Information Technology course in a well-known university. It was a neat plan to start building my future career until suddenly.... fate have shifted its direction...it changed my life...and the next thing I knew, I found myself in a medical school taking this course I'm not so familiar with... the Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology. 

Let me introduce to you my chosen profession... 

What is Medical Technology? 

BS Medical Technology is a four year degree program that equips students with knowledge and skills in laboratory tests used in the detection, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases (finduniversity.ph).  Medical technologists also known as medical laboratory scientists work in hospitals or free standing laboratories to collect and analyze/process patient's blood samples and other body fluids. They are trained to operate the machines used in each sections. They are the key players in patient diagnosis by providing accurate results to the physician. 

They are well-trained in the areas of:

• clinical chemistry- where tests like lipid panel (cholesterol, triglycerides), fasting blood sugar, creatinine are performed
• hematology - CBC
• microbiology - identifying isolated bacteria, fungi, viruses in cultures
• immunology -  performing Hepatitis panel, HIV Test, Thyroid panel
• immunohematology (blood bank) - crossmatching, preparation of blood units, operating the platelet apheresis machine
•  urinalysis and body fluids - stool exam, semen analysis

Why did I choose this course?

My father wanted me to become a doctor and he told me that this is the best pre-med course to take. Also, I've always loved science and it made me realize that the course is not so common as compared to information technology. Because of that, I defied the odds and choose this interesting course.

About my college life...

Choosing medical technology was very challenging yet interesting. To add, I had a scholarship to maintain. There were times when I don't know what subject to prioritize. All of them are difficult but then I had friends who made medtech life fun for me. I learned that it's not just always memorization on terms but also you should be able to understand its concepts. This was the time I was not that good in phlebotomy but I got better as internship came. It was a balanced learning actually, as we were fed with lots of theories during lower years and immersed with its application during the internship

Am I using what I learned in college?

Yes. During school and internship, I was able to apply everything I learned.  In school, I learned the manual method in the microscopic examination of urine as well as manual differential counts already. The identification of each cells made easier because of the morphology our instructors taught us. It made me appreciate more  the concepts that I learned in books in the actual practice. 

How long did it take to find a job after graduation?

Since most of the laboratories prefer licensed medtechs, I spent 4 months of preparing for the licensure exam. After I passed the boards, it took me only one week to find my first job. I worked as a all-around medical technologist in a secondary primary laboratory with a good chief medtech that served as one of my mentors.

My current job?

I'm now working as a registered medical technologist in one of the private hospitals here in Cebu.

Do I recommend studying Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology?

Of course. The Philippines needs more medical technologists. Aside from being considered as the best course if you're going to pursue medicine, being medical technologist has a lot to offer.  This profession provides you a continuing education. The pursuit of learning new techniques regarding new clinical advancements are endless and so are the employment opportunities. 

Advice to people who are thinking of studying this course?

Be in mind that this course is a survival to the fittest. If you're already in it, you have to finish what you've started. Medical Technology entails sacrifice, dedication and confidence in your part, may it be while you're still studying or in a working scenario already. You have to possess a positive attitude that you will pass. Focus in your studies and learn to know the subject matter by heart. Theory and application should come together. The microscope is your friend so expect for practical tests on identification on various organisms. A licensed/registered medical technologist gets higher salary compared to those who are not so it is better if you pass the board exam.

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I hope this blog will enlighten your mind on choosing the right course. Good luck!

Working in a hospital-based laboratory

Our first week in CDUH.

After seven months of working in THCDC, I took my biggest decision of whether or not to transfer to another workplace for the better. Honestly, there's nothing I could say about THCDC (because my workmates there were OK) but I do think a hospital experience would be a great advantage as a medical technologist.

I do admit I was already in my comfort zone when a friend of mine urged me to apply in the hospital she's working. At first I had second thoughts but with the help of my family, I took the courage to pass a resignation letter to the clinic and start to submit my application to the hospital. I didn't settle for less.

Working in a hospital-based laboratory is a whole lot different from the freestanding laboratory. In my first few weeks I made some mistakes but eventually it taught me to be careful and at the same time precise in what I'm doing.

Here are some of my RANDOM list of comparisons:
1. FREESTANDING: Some lab tests (even electrolytes and prothrombin time) are considered send-outs.
HOSPITAL:  Because of the wide variety of equipments/machines used, one can simply run the test required. The 'send-outs' are only those considered special tests

2. FREESTANDING: Seldom do we receive STAT requests.
HOSPITAL: Should take note STAT requests time to time or else you'll get Incident Reports from doctors.

3. FREESTANDING: Arterial puncture is prohibited.
HOSPITAL: I perform arterial punctures in situations where patients have difficult veins (esp edematous). Arterial puncture is considered as the last resort when 2 to 3 attempts of venipuncture failed.

4. FREESTANDING: Sunday is day-off.
HOSPITAL: Shifting of schedules w/ a tedious night shift. There's 16 hrs duty depending on the staffs available.

5. FREESTANDING: Less exposure to microbiology and blood banking department.
HOSPITAL: In Micro department, you'll be hands-on in different clinical work-ups to be done in each specimen. A lot of gram stain, AFB, KOH, water bacteriology and culture/sensi to do.
In Blood banking, you''ll get exposed to cross matching, preparation of blood units and platelet apheresis. In case of Rh negative patients, we do Weak D testing for confirmation.

6. FREESTANDING: Most of the walk-in patients (for annual physical exam, employment, etc) are giving normal lab results
HOSPITAL: You'll encounter critical patients giving you abnormal results. So correlation of other tests and even documenting patient's history and their previous results are very important before releasing.

7. FREESTANDING: There are only Pap smears.

HOSPITAL: Biopsies, FNAB, cell block and cytology are being performed by pathologists.

8. FREESTANDING: Only routine lab tests are performed.
HOSPITAL: As warding medtechs, we are the ones to perform special procedure tests like Osmotic fragility test, urine myoglobin, fibrin split product, etc with the approval of the Pathologist.

9. FREESTANDING: Not so much trainings for medtechs.
HOSPITAL: Trainings/seminars by medical lab companies are conducted to ensure continuing education to the lab personnel.

During an annual mobile physical exam in THCDC
courtesy from miss ingrid's photoS.

To sum it up, there are more advantages in working to a hospital-based laboratory. No doubt it is a requirement for us if we want to work abroad. TBH, It is in this hospital I developed my skill in phlebotomy especially in getting blood from newborn babies and geriatric patients. Though stressful at times but I think that's a part of being a hospital lab personnel anyway. I met several people and I got to work with them every other shift. Just mind your own business by the way :-)

Well, it is true that the pay of hospital-based laboratories isn't that much compared to the free-standing laboratories but the experiences of working in a hospital esp to the departments in the laboratory are worth it.

Nevertheless, I'm so thankful for THCDC for giving me the experience to work in such a short time. It helped me to prepare in working for a hospital setting. Who would have thought I landed at Cebu Doctors' University Hospital?