My Education as a Medical Technologist

According to an article from 2017 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, one in five patients report discrimination in health care, whether it be in terms of race or ethnicity, age, weight, or even income. Talking to a doctor or nurse about a personal issue can be a very vulnerable experience, and it is my responsibility as a future Healthcare professional to minimize statistics like these. Although I will be spending the majority of my time in the clinical laboratory, I will still be interacting with patients when I need to collect blood samples. Being sensitive to the idea that everyone has unique struggles and experiences, while also applying essential leadership skills will allow me to deliver exceptional, competent care.

As a future Medical Technologist, the topic I was most interested in was Quality Improvement. Since we deal with a large volume of patient samples, there is an immense amount of pressure to ensure everything is identified and organized properly, tests are completed correctly and quickly, and that there are backup plans in case a piece of equipment is in need of repair. The objective, “Do the right things, right the first time, every time,” is so critical in the lab. Simple, careless mistakes could cost time, money, and even lives. Quality Improvement can also be utilized in terms of customer service in Healthcare, and to ensure that care is culturally sensitive and customer-focused.

Healthcare is not the same as it was ten years ago, and I’m sure it will be completely different in the next ten years. Adaptability in this field is crucial, especially when it comes to organizational culture change. Every year there are new technologies, policies, and procedures put in place to continually improve patient care in all facets of Healthcare. When I went on my hospital tours this year, every single location had either new equipment or a completely new laboratory setup that was put in place to improve efficiency. Having to learn these new things every few years must certainly be a challenge for laboratory personnel, but they are flexible and understand that it is just part of the job. Additionally, organizational culture is what contributes most to work satisfaction. As we mentioned in our presentation, 72% of employees rated that the respectful treatment of all employees was “very important”. If respect, cultural sensitivity, and diversity are not present in a workplace culture, it will not be as successful as it potentially could be. I hope to work in an institution that has employees from various backgrounds so I have a greater opportunity to learn new perspectives. Some things in medicine and Healthcare are black and white; for instance, bacteria under the microscope is either E. coli, or it isn’t. There isn’t a whole lot of room for interpretation with scientific fact. However, the way that laboratories are organized, the procedures for dealing with patients of various cultures, and ultimately the way we do our jobs every day are much less monochromatic topics. There is a necessity for communication and quality improvement, which can be enhanced greatly if many different voices are included in those conversations.

This course allowed me to learn about my own personality more than I ever have before. I’ve learned that I value trust, empathy, organization, and ethics in a leader or manager. I found that I have a helping personality, and I enjoy making the world a better place. Most people in Healthcare have this as a major part of their personality. Although things like Strategic and Operational planning, Project and Personnel Management, and Quality Improvement are essential, compassion is truly the heart of Healthcare. A company/institution could have the greatest leaders, managers, and supportive followers in terms of organization and efficiency, but if they don’t care about the people they’re serving, they will never be completely successful. I believe that my university experience will aid me in becoming a compassionate professional. Some of the many advantages of a liberal arts education are the lifelong, soft skills you develop. This class, as well as the whole of my university education, has helped me refine my communication skills, work ethic, and has shown me the value of integrity, diversity, and empathy — all things that are important for work in Healthcare.

Works Cited

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