Medical technology is a rapidly advancing and changing field in which automated equipment such as electronic cell counters, computers, and self-regulating chemical analyzers have joined the test tube, the centrifuge, and the microscope as laboratory tools. Technologists must not only master the use of these instruments but also handle their routine maintenance in order to forestall critical work stoppages. They must continually monitor the quality of the performance of these tools, or the results obtained will be incorrect. Most MTs and MLTs specialize by working in one of several diverse departments such as blood banking, chemistry, hematology, microbiology, or serology. They are among the physician's most valuable assistants in problem-solving, tracking down the causes of disease, checking the effect of antibodies on various microbes, exploring the hormonal status of sterile women, testing for pregnancy, or measuring the clotting capacity of blood.
Some technologists become supervisors.
They are responsible for orienting new employees, instructing trainees, managing supplies, monitoring work quality, maintaining records, and keeping laboratory procedures up to date. A research scientist in the field of medical technology creates medical products to help improve health care. She will first research a known problem in a hospital, such as a need for a product that will provide more rapid test results or possibly a new instrument to perform a test or procedure quickly and accurately. Once the problem is identified, a team will develop and test many designs to try to solve the problem. It is likely to take many years to develop a new medical product.