- Effective Communication
- Ability to Think Critically
- Data Analysis Skills
- Fast Decision Making
- Observation Skills
A person considering a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree in medicine, biological sciences may wonder, “What are the five characteristics of a successful medical laboratory scientist?” The answer to this question is important because it could help a person determine if they have all of the characteristics that make success in this field of expertise more likely. Although these are not the only five characteristics of success in work as a medical laboratory scientist, they are essential to personal and professional enjoyment, advancement and satisfaction in the job.
Effective Communication
Medical laboratory scientists need to communicate effectively with the technicians and research assistants they supervise. They should also be able to communicate well with other scientists in order to form partnerships or work together. Once an experiment has reached its conclusion, the scientist needs to write it and defend their results. They should also be able to explain what they did so that the experiment could be repeated and yield results that could be replicated for confirmation purposes. Many medical laboratory scientists apply for federal or private grants for their research, so they must be able to communicate effectively in writing for securing the funding.
Ability to Think Critically
In science, there is usually more than one way to solve a problem. A medical laboratory scientist will need to look at the range of possibilities and use their critical thinking skills in order to choose a path that makes logical sense. They may have a question to answer that is unlike anything someone has ever done. In this case, they may need to combine different techniques and problem-solving skills in order to come u with a solution for answering the question or solving the problem.
Data Analysis Skills
Most experiments yield large amounts of data. The medical laboratory scientist will need to be adept at multiple data analysis techniques in order to handle the data and draw a conclusion from it. Most data analysis is done with the assistance of computer software. The scientist should be skilled at one or more statistical software programs, such as STATA, SAS or SPSS. They should also be able to identify data entry errors, clean data and defend their data analysis steps when writing their procedures for publication in a journal or presentation to their colleagues.
Fast Decision Making
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a successful medical laboratory scientist should also possess fast decision making skills. In critical times of an experiment, the ability to make a rapid yet logically-planned decision could make a big difference. The medical laboratory scientist should use objective information in their decision-making process. They should also be able to document the process that they used in order to make the particular decision. In some cases, they may need to defend their decision with logical and sound arguments that make scientific sense.
Observation Skills
Medical laboratory scientists need to be able to observe even the slightest of changes in a sample or test result. They need to do this with their own eyes, not just with the aid of software or technological devices. The use of microscopes may assist them in their ability to make keen observations. The ability to notice slight changes or anomalies could make a big difference in an experiment that involves health-related data.
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Each of these five characteristics of a successful medical laboratory scientist is key to doing well in the job. These characteristics can be innate, but they can also be honed and practiced intentionally on a routine basis. Understanding these five characteristics of a successful medical laboratory scientist could help a person decide if this is the right direction for their future career.