To become a medical lab technician/laboratory technician/MLT (Medical Laboratory Technician), you should find good books to help you catch up with the basics that define the course.
The best Medical Laboratory Books for beginners to understand the fundamental knowledge concerning different laboratory tests, practices, and steps to examine the body fluids, tissues, blood samples, etc. Similarly, books are a good source of the information and knowledge you need before undertaking practical, hands-on training to become a professional medical lab technician and pass your MLT certification.
List of the Best MLT books
1. Medical Laboratory Technician Handbook
Examopedia provides a custom-made Medical Lab Technician Book for beginners and experienced medical lab technicians. In addition to that, it also mentions semester notes and answers to the previous year’s question papers on a subscription basis.
Why it’s great for beginners:
- Good for paramedical training
- Language is simple and easy to understand
- The first unit of every paper is free to give the users a view of the structure and quality of the content before subscribing.
- The book focuses on Pre Analytical Lab Testing Procedures and many more important topics
2. The Principles of Medical Laboratory Fundamentals
Medical Laboratory Fundamentals by Ruth M. French is a basic and general text that can serve as an initial text on the principles of the medical laboratory. The book is divided into two sections. Section one describes different labs and the techniques used in each section, such as Blood bank and chemistry, Hematology, Immunology, etc. In the second section, various administrative and billing responsibilities of a medical lab technician such as quality control, quality assurance, safety, phlebotomy, and easier operations, amongst others are discussed.
Why it’s great for beginners:
- The language of writing is simple, and such a book suits student learning
- The concepts learned are then followed up by objectives, case studies, vignettes, and review questions for each chapter
- The review focuses on clinical laboratory science, which refers to medical laboratory or diagnostics.
3. Robert R. Harris, Clinical Laboratory Science Review
This book is important, particularly for reviewing numerous subjects covered in the course of MLT/MLS in preparation for the examination. This book employs a question-and-answer technique in over 580 factual, recall, and application questions in the following areas, clinical chemistry, clinical urinalysis, hematology, immunology, immunohematology, microbiology, laboratory operations, and other crucial areas.
Why it’s great for beginners:
- Because, at the end of each chapter, at least 15 questions with answers are included to foster assessment of the content taught in the chapter
- Hence, this book is a great one to supplement and refresh one’s understanding of basic principles and procedures that we adapt to as medical laboratory scientists.
4. The Phlebotomy Textbook
This is found in the Phlebotomy Textbook by Susan King Strasinger and David Di Lorenzo where the authors provide the knowledge and skills needed for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Since obtaining proper blood samples may be a core part of the function of medical lab technicians, phlebotomy skills enable the technician to begin as a medical lab technician for venipuncture or blood sampling from patients.
Why it’s great for beginners:
- The issues linked to difficult draws are included in this book specifically
- Review sheets give students a great opportunity to practice phlebotomy skills
- And also, work on vacuum collection as well as dermal puncture for artery, and capillary blood sampling.
5. Clinical Hematology Atlas
In this laboratory, there are many sections. And so, as a medical lab technician, you need to understand how to conduct the various hematological tests that display a patient’s general health, which are conducted in the hematology part. Furthermore, Clinical Hematology Atlas authored by Jacqueline H. Carr and Rodney P. Rocconi mentions over 300 brilliant stained village blood and bone marrow preparations to identify various normal and abnormal blood cells accurately.
Why it’s great for beginners:
- The descriptions are paired with high-quality microscope images
- Renders learning about diseases such as anemia, leukemia, and lymphoma very easy
- Best book for understanding hematological abnormalities and enhances class study.
- Focuses readers’ attention on mitigating accidents or making mistakes, and carries out tests ethically with the help of proper safety guidelines and ethics stated in the books.
6. Basic Clinical Laboratory Techniques by Barbara Estridge
Moreover, if you’re looking for a book that aims at the practical aspects of laboratory work, this is the right choice. It also mentions detailed instructions for common lab techniques and provides a strong introduction to clinical procedures.
Why it’s great for beginners:
- Detailed guides to basic lab techniques.
- Abundant illustrations to aid understanding.
- Simple and precise explanations for beginners.
7. Clinical Laboratory Science, The Basics and Routine Techniques by Mary Louise Turgeon
Overall, this book provides detailed routine procedures in medical labs for those who want to have a clear knowledge of lab techniques and diagnostics. Thus, it’s mainly useful for students preparing for their MLT certification. And also, gives you detailed information on hematology, microbiology, and urinalysis.
Why it’s great for beginners:
- Detailed explanations of routine lab techniques.
- Case studies to apply what you’ve learned.
- Covers basic and advanced topics.
Required Skillset To Become a Medical Laboratory Technician
On the whole, teacher learning should be supported by practical academic internships through laboratory internships and hands-on experience. In addition to that, with books, begin your training under an experienced medical lab technician to learn critical skills like
- Discovering patients & collecting samples
- Sample handling, processing & test performance
- We can also differentiate between semi-automated and automated analyzers when they are operated.
- Test report evaluations
- Practice with real-life illustrations
- Use supplementary resources
- Finally, reviews and documentation, and reporting system.
Future Scope for the Medical Laboratory Technician
Just as a little sprinkle of knowledge can mean a lot, it can mean very little, especially if you have yet to have hands-on practice in the field of medical lab technician. Hence, while you work through the early years as a beginner, it is wise to strike a balance between reading books and practical sessions.
Opportunities
To explain further, Intensive practical training can develop opportunity-based competency for possessing the right skills to become a competent MLT professional in hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic laboratories. Some of the Opportunities are listed below.
- Medical Technician
- Lab Technician
- University Lab Technician
- Forensic Lab Technician
- MRI Technicians
- CT scan Technicians
- Pathology Technician
- Optical Laboratory Technician
- Dental Machine Technician
- Radiology Technician
- Laboratory Manager
- Technical executives
- Research Associates
- X-Ray technicians
- R&D Lab Technicians
- Medical Laboratory Technologist (Indian Army)
- Medical Research Officer
Conclusion
To sum up, books are indispensable if one wants to lay the right footing as a Medical Laboratory Technician. Namely, the Medical Laboratory Technician Handbook(Examopedia), The Medical Laboratory Fundamentals, and Clinical Laboratory Science Review books offer an ideal approach to theoretical knowledge, but The Phlebotomy Textbook and Clinical Hematology Atlas give an understanding of specimens and samples for identification.
But, when the Medical Book knowledge is combined with the intensive training, working on the projects, and being an intern then the skills are honed academically to be transformed into an expert medical lab technician. Eventually, the competency and speed needed to perform different manual tests and to operate the analyzer will increase. Hence, in addition to handling all aspects of the laboratory independently – these are two pillars that will let you achieve success and become a worthy medical laboratory technician.
Recommended Reads
- A step-by-step guide to becoming a Medical lab technician
- Scope for medical technologist jobs and career paths
- Top 10 MLT Books to Enhance Your Clinical Skills
- Everything About Paramedical courses – Course Details, Eligibility, Books
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1- What are the best books for beginners in medical laboratory science?
Undoubtedly, some really good books for beginners include Medical Laboratory Science Review by Robert R. Harr and Basic Clinical Laboratory Techniques by Barbara Estridge.
Q2-Are there any budget-friendly medical lab books?
Yes, a few bookstores sell used books, and there are online platforms, and digital versions also. Similarly, books like Medical Laboratory Science: Theory and Practice are more often available at reasonable prices.
Q3-Do I need a lot of prior knowledge to use these books?
Not really. Some books are designed for beginners, with little to no prior knowledge, and begin with the basics and gradually dig into more complex topics.
Q4- Can these books help with exam preparation?
These books help with practice questions and review sections that further help you in preparing for exams and practical tests.
Q5- What is the scope of MLT in India?
A promising and wide range of career opportunities are available due to the continuous growth of the healthcare industry and medical technology.