How to Become a Medical Laboratory Assistant

A Comparison Between MLA Programs in Africa and in North America

Medical Laboratory Assistants mainly function in assisting other lab workers, usually medical lab technologists. Most of the time, Medical Laboratory Assistants prepare, and in some cases process samples within a pathology laboratory. In high-end laboratories, Medical Laboratory Assistants may deal with pre-analytical systems in order for biomedical scientists or Medical Laboratory Scientific Officers to process the biochemical tests requested on the sample. In the more common setting, Medical Laboratory Assistants spend majority of their time in processing specimens.

How to Become a Medical Laboratory Assistant in Africa

The job of becoming a medical laboratory assistants require proper training and education on laboratory specimen handling from receiving process, to handling specimens, down to releasing results. In Africa, to obtain a certification on becoming a Medical Laboratory Assistant, the applicant must meet certain qualifications, successfully pass an examination and complete several admission procedures. It is usually a 2-3 year program requiring completed secondary education, that is, Senior Secondary Certificate Examination and/or General Certificate of Education. For holders of a minimum of two years post qualification experience a 3-year term may be completed in just 2 years. After completing the program, students are required to pass concluding examinations administered by regulating councils depending on the region.

How to Become a Medical Laboratory Assistant in North America

It might seem like this is not a very physical job but it has to be considered that a medical laboratory assistant may spend a lot of time on his feet, depending on the hospital or clinic. While they depend on the people that they are assisting, they have a lot of independent functions like running laboratory machinery, sterilizing equipment and preparing specimen samples. In North American countries, courses for medical laboratory assistants can range from a 20-week course to a 2-year term depending on the school, the region, and the specialties that you want to consider. Courses can be offered in colleges or even in vocational schools. The first term would get you an associates degree in laboratory science while the second half may be applications that will grant the proper certification required. Courses typically include Medical Terminology, Phlebotomy Workshop, Professional Practices and Safety in Health Care, Phlebotomy Procedures and Specimen Preparation, Microbiology Specimen Preparation, prior to the Laboratory Practicums to Evaluate Student Competencies. In most cases, the first 20 weeks are dedicated to lecture while the remaining weeks are dedicated for practice and evaluation.

Scholarships for a Medical Laboratory Assistants Course and Other Medical Courses  in Africa

To get a scholarship for a medical laboratory assistant course or any other medical course, you may check out the following African scholarships:

• ACCES scholarship program
• Africa Educational Trust Undergraduate International Outreach Bursaries
• African Graduate Scholarships in International Health and Development
• Africa Scholarship Scheme
• Associated Board International Scholarships
• Developing Countries Scholarships – CUD Scholarship Program
• Global Online Distance Learning Scholarships for Africans and Asians at University of Edinburgh
• International Undergraduate Student Scholarships
• Kenya Merit Undergraduate Scholarship – The University of Sheffield
• Kenya University Chancellor’s Scholarship
• Nigeria University Scholarship Scheme
• OPEC Fund Scholarship Award
• Refugee and Asylum Seeker Scholarships
• Shell Nigeria University Scholarship Awards
• The Kenya Youth Education Scholarship Fund
• Undergraduate & Master’s Mandela Rhodes Scholarships in Africa
• Undergraduate Scholarships for International Students
• Undergraduate Scholarships for Kenyan Students
• University Graduate School Development Trust Africa Scholarships
• University Of Nairobi Scholarships
• Working to Advance African Women Foundation Scholarship
• Youth Education Scheme Scholarship

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