Everything you need to know about Medical Laboratory Science scientist.. jamb cut off mark..
If you call it biochemical science, clinical lab science or medical laboratory science, you will be referring to the one and same profession. This blog will help you understand everything that is involved with becoming a medical laboratory scientist.
CHOOSING A SPECIALTY
You are required to have a JAMB cut off mark of at least 180 for medical lab science. Admitted into a tertiary institution as a medical lab freshman, you will be offered basically Mathematics, English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics in a bit advanced level in your first year.
In your second year, you will advance to courses as Biochemistry, Physiology, Anatomy, mathematics and introduction to med lab science.
In your 300 and 400 level, which is your clinical level, you will take courses like Microbiology, Hematology, Histopathology and Chemical Pathology.
In your final year, you will be picking a specialty out of the four basic specialty in medical laboratory science. You will have choices to pick from such as Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology, Hematology, Histopathology or Chemical Pathology.
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Basically, Hematologist as the name implies, deals with blood. They carry out tests which include genotype, blood group, blood transfusion, food blood count, etcetera.
Chemical pathologist deals with chemicals and enzymes in the body. They perform tests such as kidney function tests, liver function tests, glucose estimation, urinalysis, pregnancy test, etcetera.
Histopathologists or Mobid anatomist as they are also referred to basically deal with tissues of the body. They check out for tumors and cancers in the body.
Microbiologists deal with microbes, parasites, bacteria, viruses and any organism that is too small to be captured by the naked eye.
PROFESSIONAL EXAMS
In Nigeria, medical laboratory scientists are required to undergo professional exams.
The first professional examination is done in your 400 level. It’s divided into three sections. There is the subjective, the practical (where you must carry out tests) and the oral examination.
The second is as the first but it is done in your final level in school.
On passing these exams, you will be eligible for licensing. You will be required to swear under the oath guiding the profession before your license is handed to you. This exercise cannot be done by proxy. This license is only provisional until you conclude your internship and NYSC, then you will need to process your permanent license which will make you eligible to get a job after school
CAREER PATHS
In most cases, medical laboratory scientist do not have direct contact with patients. Samples are taken by the doctors or a senior nurse and sent to the laboratory for tests.
Med lab scientists can choose to get a job as a medical laboratory scientist. This kind of job is also called a bench job. Medical laboratory scientist can also own a private lab. Owning a private lab is capital intensive though, because of the high cost of medical machineries but it is highly financially rewarding.
Medical laboratory scientist can also proceed to get a master or doctorate degree which enables them to work as lecturers in academic institutions.
Medical laboratory scientists can go into other medical fields such as nursing, pharmacy and medicine.
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Enquiries ?
Please write Medical Biologist Olatunji Gbemi here: [email protected]
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