What to Expect As a Clinical Laboratory Technician

In the constantly growing field of medical technology, there is always a need for clinical laboratory technologists. In addition to the growing need for people to analyze forensic evidence, the seemingly unending number of lawsuits requiring a DNA paternity test and legal DNA test keep many labs and technicians job security. If you have an affinity for science and helping people, perhaps a career as a clinical laboratory technician is for you.

To become employed as a clinical laboratory technician, you will be required to attend college and earn the appropriate degree such as an associate or bachelor degree in the life sciences or medical technology. Because medical technology is always evolving in analyzing procedures, you can be confident of job growth and continued opportunities in this field in the future. While the vast majority of clinical laboratory technologists hold a four-year degree in the life sciences or medical technology, relevant work experience or on the job training is also valuable and can count in part for education. Technologists perform microscopic, hematological, immunologic, biological, chemical, and bacteriological examination of samples. They try to find abnormalities in body tissue and fluid. Technologists determine which chemicals a sample comprises, and match blood types for blood transfusions.

Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians use many different methods to analyze tissues, cells, and fluids to diagnose diseases. Technicians also must also be proficient in using all instruments and tools to perform these tasks which include microscopes, automated equipment, cell counters, and other equipment capable of doing many tasks at a time. Technicians are responsible for summarizing data and communicating the information to doctors for their review. Analytical skills are even more important than hands-on skills. The level of education and work experience that laboratory employees have will determine their level of responsibility as well as pay.

Clinical laboratory technicians are usually not permitted to run samples of the same intricacy as technologists do. Clinical laboratory technologists or managers usually supervise the activities of technicians. In larger laboratories, technologists usually specialize while technologists in small laboratories perform a broader variety of tasks. For example, clinical chemistry technologists make samples and determine the contents of body fluids, microbiology technologists are specialists in identifying microorganisms, immunohematology technologists, or blood bank technologists, are responsible for the blood used in transfusions at all its stages, including collection, determination of blood type, and preparation. Other specialists are immunology technologists who specialize in the human immune system, cytotechnologists examine cells microscopically for early signs of cancer and molecular biology technologists analyze cell samples using nucleic acid and complex protein analysis techniques.

Work environment and hours worked are at the discretion of the employer. Larger employers like big laboratories and hospitals employ technicians around the clock with some employees working during holidays and weekends. Rotating shifts might be called for in smaller labs, possibly requiring that technicians are on call overnight or on the weekends at times.

Work as a technician involves relatively few dangers when the appropriate safety measures are followed and protective gear, like gloves and goggles or masks, is utilized. Every lab employee is instructed on how to deal with infectious or otherwise dangerous samples. It is an interesting and rewarding career, so consider starting your training as a clinical laboratory technologist.

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The Importance of Genetic Analysis Impacts Criminal Cases

Using genetic material is the industry standard tool for identification. Nowdays, a DNA test can now identify a unique individual with almost 100% certainty. The current technology can be applied in many circumstances which include settling child support cases with a paternity test , determining biological parents or siblings in adoption cases, and identifying suspects in criminal cases, just to name a few. Unfortunately, identification was once extremely inconclusive. Before this technology, the science community had to use other methods to identify people and determine relationships. These techniques, such as blood typing, serological, HLA analysis were very useful for other purposes like matching blood and tissue donors with recipients in order to reduce rejection in transplant patients, but they were ineffective for identification individuals and tracing the ancestry of families. Because of the advent of genetic analysis in the late 1970s and 1980s, the applications for medicine, research, forensics and genealogy are tremendous and far reaching.

The roots of genetic analysis lie in the early 1900s when scientists were able to identify four different blood types in humans. They were named A, AB, B, and O and refer to the existence of certain proteins called antigens in the blood. This blood typing system, called the ABO system, has become invaluable to doctors because it provides the basic principle to safely perform such medical procedures such as blood transfusions. Even today, blood transfusions and organ transplants would end in many deaths if not for the ability to match the blood types of the donor and recipient. It was not until the 1920s that it was discovered that blood types are genetically inherited.

Scientists discovered in the 1930s that other proteins in the blood could be used for identifying humans. Just like the ABO system, the Rh, Kell, and Duffy blood group systems identified the presence of specific antigens in the blood which are also genetically inherited and could be used to identify possible biological relationships.

The next major leap was not made until the mid 1970s when scientists began to use tissue typing in lieu of blood typing. The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) which is a protein pervasive in the body except the red blood cells was discovered. Because there are many different types of HLA and because of the high variability between each person, analyzing HLA provided the best results in determining a biological relationship. Unfortunately, this method has limitations in that it requires a large blood sample that cannot be older than a few days.

A phenomenal technique was developed in the 1980s called restriction fragment length polymorphism or RFLP. This was the very first method to use deoxyribonucleic acid. Just like HLA and other blood proteins, deoxyribonucleic acid is genetically inherited from both parents, it is highly variable and more unique than HLA and blood proteins, and every cell in the body has it. These qualities make deoxyribonucleic acid ideal for identification purposes. If a man and women are the biological parents of a child, then half of the deoxyribonucleic acid of the child should match the mother while the other half matches the father.

Due to the dedicated researchers and advancements in the understanding of genetics, much progress has been made in improving the justice system, reuniting families, and helping doctors treat injuries and diseases.

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Ways to Find out Cancer in Dogs

I really haven’t thought that cancer could be possible for dogs. We usually thought that cancer could only affect us man, but don’t you know that it could also affect your beloved dog? A dog’s cancer diagnosis is one of frightening news you could ever face with your beloved pet. Just the mere fact of losing your loved one when they get sick is equally devastating be it in your family or your beloved dog.

Up to date, cancer is one of the leading causes of death of dogs in United States. Study shows that 20 million dogs die yearly in the U.S. due to cancer in any forms. Around 1 out of 4 dogs are affected in the U.S. So, to all pet lovers out there, we need to stay vigilant in detecting cancer in our animals. There are certain signs and symptoms that could signal dog cancer and they are the following;

Signs of Cancer in Dogs

1. Changes in bowel or bladder habits

2. A sore that does not heal

3. Unusual growth of bumps or swelling or even drooling

4. Chronic vomiting or diarrhea

5. Difficulty in eating or swallowing

6. Fatigue or difficulty in exercising

7. Bleeding

8. Bad mouth odor

9. Lack of appetite

10. Weight loss

11. Nagging cough

12. Lethargy

The best treatment for cancer in dogs is prevention. All pet lovers are encouraged to manually examine their dogs at home. Try to palpate your dogs body with your hands and observe for any signs of lumps, bumps, or sores or any unusual growth. If you see any of this danger signs, perhaps, it’s about time you submit your dog for a confirmatory diagnosis with your veterinarian.

Ensure that your dog receive the nutrition they need. Feed your dogs with high-quality and well-balanced diet with low amounts of simple carbohydrates and high amounts of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Also, have your pet exercise regularly. Do not expose your dog to industrial chemicals and tobacco smoke as they are known to be carcinogenic, ability to cause cancer.

As a pet owner, I always see to it that I get to spend more time with my dog. I always find time to play with him in my lawn. I really like to use my favorite lawn mower blade which I bought at my well-trusted mower parts store. For me, they are simply the best. Satisfaction guaranteed.

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