Facebook Feedback: Describing Your Job
Our Facebook friends never fail to give us some valuable insight and good laughs. Yesterday, we asked how you describe the profession to those outside the lab. Here are a few unedited responses. Add yours in the comments section!
- I try not to go into detail because even the "I cut tissue" (I'm a histotech) gets the grossed out look
- I tell people that I help tell the doctors what is wrong by running the tests that they request.
- we save lives! :-) (Transfusion Services)
- I say anything they send off for "testing" or when they give a specimen like urine or poo or blood it gets sent to us and we do the actual testing on it.
- I spend half the time telling people that I'M NOT A NURSE!!
- Blood sucker working the night shift!
- I tell them I am instrumental in helping patients get treatment so they are not sick and able to go home and hopefully not come back to the hospital!
- i just tell them im dealing with different body fluids. ;)
- I like these answers. My answer depends on the audience or individual. I try to tailor it to something they relate to. Example: healthcare workers are surprised when I use the term "scientist" and say "we provide over 70% of data used in clinical decision making." To the public I usually say something like "When you go to the doctor or lab, and a specimen or sample is collected, I am one of the scientists who analyze it and tells the doctor what I find so he can treat you appropriately." In any event, the short version usually prompts more questions that I can explain. I NEVER say "I am a lab tech" or "I work in a lab." Ugh!
- Maybe we would get more respect if we all quit calling ourselves techs and use the term clinical laboratory scientist!
- I give the doctors the information they need in order for them to get rich.
- I don't say med tech, I jump right into it and say, I work in a laboratory testing blood for diagnostic purposes....blows them away everytime!!!
- You pee in a cup, I'll tell you what's up.