A behind-the-scene look at a behind-the-scene job
Current health career talk: Medical technician
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Lynne prepares to collect a blood sample from Harley while other students eagerly await their turn.Blood and other bodily fluids were the topic of this month’s health science speaker. Lynne Lauck, the manager of the hospital lab in Cherokee, IA, spoke to the science students in grades 7-12 about her job as a medical technician. Lynne cited that 70% of decisions that doctors make are based on lab values, making her career a vital part of the diagnostic process. She informed the students of alternate educational paths that would lead to becoming a "med tech." In her management experiences, employees with the two- and four-year degrees are of equal aptitudes; however only those with the latter degree may move up into management positions or go on to specialty areas. Her duties include collecting and analyzing samples from the body to check for abnormalities in every body system. Those with this degree may also work in blood banks, collecting and testing blood for use.
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Lynne describes the appearance of a red blood cell that has lead attached instead of iron, indicating lead poisoning.
Lynne brought many visual aides to show the students, including microscope slides of substances and test results she may see in the lab. She also brought her blood-typing equipment and provided the opportunity for interested students to learn their blood types. The
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Weak white blood cells often burst when they are placed on a slide. This visual would be a sign of leukemia.