Why did I choose Medical Technology:
The real reason why I end up in this course is just accidental, not that I don't like the course or being pressured by my parents. Honestly, I don't have any idea what course really to take up in college. The idea of a college students doesn't sink in my mind that time. So, I let my parents help me to decide. My father wanted me to become a Chemist just like him and my mother also suggested to take up BS Pharmacy just like her in Centro Escolar University in Manila. I love the idea of my mom because I wanted to be near with my first girlfriend who is studying Tourism at Lyceum Manila at the time. My mother doesn't like the idea of my main purpose of choosing here preferred course for me that's why it didn't materialize.
About my college education:
I learned a lot while studying BS in Medical Technology, from studying to working. The same thing I applied in my life today, it builds my self confidence and self reliant. It makes me become of what I am today, a better person.
Parasitology subjects for me is the most hardest to pass because you will need to memorized the life cycle of every parasites and it really bores me out. At the same time, the most hardest thing to find a specimen of parasites to show it to your professor from fecal sample.
Blood Banking subjects was for me the most enjoyable and it really amazed me. Blood that saves lives.
In our school you have to proved yourself, not only in theory but also in practical. In our time, in Clinical Chemistry subjects almost all of us got to re take the examination again because our Dean is worried that almost all of us students didn't pass the exam. Out of 100 plus students only 5 passed with a grade of 81 is the highest. 78 of us re take the exams and the remaining automatically failed. Out of 78 only 19 of us passed the test. Almost all of my classmates repeat the subjects and have to wait for another school year as most of the subjects are per-requisite others are forced to transfer to other schools.
My current job:
I am currently working as a Registered Medical Technologist at Western Visayas Regional Blood Center in Philippine Red Cross Iloilo.
We are in Blood Bank facility. We collect bloods from our volunteer donors in the office and during Mass Blood Donation. Examine the blood carefully and process the blood into components. After examinations and counter checking of blood from a fellow Medical Technologists. Most of our blood is being sent to our satellites hospitals for the benefits of our patients. But since, the blood we collected from our volunteer donor is not enough, not everyone is given the privilege the equal opportunity to extend the lives of others due to shortage of blood. Because we are also the one assessing if we will give blood to their patients. Luckily for some when I was the one assigned during my duty at the Blood Dispensing Area, I can really assess the real condition of the patients compare to my other co employee because I am also a REGISTERED NURSE. After I passed the licensure examinations for BS Medical Technology in 1999 and working for several years as Med. Tech., I tried to make a sudden shift of career moves, I enrolled BS Nursing in West Negros College in Bacolod City from year 2003-2004. Working professionals as others may call us because I worked as Medical Technology by day during weekdays and study nursing in the evening and weekend.
Am I using what I learned in college:
Perseverance and self reliant at works are the most important things that I used in my life until now. If you have the confidence in your mind, nothing is impossible.
How long did it take to find a job:
It didn't take me about 4 months.
After I graduated in college, I, just self study here in our school and go to Manila right after for an extensive review for the upcoming board exams for Medical Technology. Even though I was only reviewing there, the owner of the place in which I stayed in for 2 months had already offered me a job at her Dormitory as a Marketing Manager, though the compensation is not the high but the I was very pleased and happy. It is not my course related job but the idea of someone has given you the trust that you can do it makes my confidence more stronger to take any challenges life may brings. After I took and passed the Board Examination for Medical Technology, the owner of the Review Center has also offer me a job to market his review center in our place on a commission basis. Of course, I accept it. I already have two jobs in that span without having each other rather complement it. A place to stay in Manila as well as a review center. From there, the education and the training that my schools gave to me further grows. Giving me self confidence and the knowledge to face any obstacles in my chosen career.
Do I recommend studying Medical Technology:
I would really recommend BS in Medical Technology because very few are taking this course and have a great demand in abroad especially in the U.S. and the pay is high and competitive.
Salary level for fresh graduates in general is similar not that high compare to those with experiences. You may take it as stepping stone in working abroad as we all know working in our country does not pay good but once you are equipped with years of experience and exams, you have a greater chance of making your dreams come true. Unlike nurses, that they are the one paying in order to gain volunteer experience, med. techs. don't wait too long to be hired.
Being a licensed/registered Medical Technologists is a very fulfilling career in our because doctors are very dependents on our laboratory works. They based their diagnosis and treatments from our results. In the Philippines only Nurses and Doctors are always mentioned seldom med. techs. that gave credits to the recovery of the patients but in the U.S. we are called Clinical Laboratory Scientists in the U.S. we are treated with class. Doing all the dirty things to give them reliable results.
Advice to people who are thinking of studying this course:
My only advice to people who are considering studying BS in Medical Technology is that being a Medical Technologist is not that simple. It will take your guts and hard work to finished this course. Doctor's based their diagnosis based on our laboratory results. So life technically in the hospital is based on the skilled of a medical technologist to examine blood and other specimens of human to save lives. So, before considering what best school to take up BS Medical Technology course, considered it first as really your CHOICE. Don't get be influenced of the people around you. Life is serious as life is a Medical Technologist who helps doctor save lives.
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