Training as a medical technologist for laboratory analysis (MTL)
»Behind every sample is a person.« – Paul, MTL trainee at the Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics at Jena University Hospital
Paul is in his third year of training to become a medical technologist for laboratory analysis (MTL) at Jena University Hospital. In this interview, he talks about his personal experiences, the diverse tasks he performs in the laboratory, the challenges of the training programme, and gives insights into why this profession is both exciting and rewarding.
Why did you decide to train as an MTL?
Funnily enough, it was more of a coincidence. I took advanced biology in upper secondary school and found microscopy and experimentation very interesting. So I knew early on that I definitely wanted to work in the biomedical field. I only came across the training programme because a very good friend told me about the newly redesigned programme. As soon as I read the description, I knew I wanted to learn this profession. Jena was the obvious choice because I come from the area and wanted to stay close to my family.
Why did you choose vocational training over a degree?
There were two main reasons for me. Firstly, I was attracted by the prospect of earning money and starting my career straight away, and secondly, to be honest, I didn’t feel that any degree course really appealed to me. I wanted to have a secure job that wasn’t easily replaceable, and I can always study later if I’m interested.
What are the requirements for training as an MTL?
Anyone who is interested in biomedical contexts, has technical understanding and enjoys working responsibly with various patient materials such as blood, tissue or urine will definitely get their money’s worth here. If you already have a good understanding of these areas, that’s even better, of course. But don’t worry, you’ll learn everything from scratch and can score points even without prior knowledge. Personally, I don’t think much of grades, as they don’t say anything about ability, but in the natural sciences, good grades are of course welcome.
The most important thing in training is, on the one hand, working responsibly with the sample material, because behind every sample there is a human being. On the other hand, the ability to work in a team is essential. Here at the university hospital, nothing works without the other person. The work processes are timed so that they mesh together, and good communication is necessary to ensure that everything runs smoothly and that the samples can be processed within the allotted time. Other important skills include the ability to work in a focused and, above all, accurate manner in order to avoid mistakes, as well as the ability to remain calm in stressful situations and continue working with concentration.
How does the apprenticeship work? What stages do you go through?
The training programme lasts three years and is divided into theory and practice. The first year focuses primarily on theoretical principles and practical instruction, as this basic knowledge is essential for working in a laboratory. In the second and especially the third year of training, the focus is on practical work in order to build a solid foundation for the final examination. The training is basically divided into four areas: clinical chemistry, transfusion medicine, pathology and microbiology. These four areas are compulsory in order to take the exam. However, at Jena University Hospital, you also have the opportunity to get a taste of research, for example. We have a very wide range of tests and methods, so it never gets boring. We are trained in various working methods and can learn and try out basic techniques in the six UKJ laboratories on Bachstraße.
What does your typical working day look like and what tasks do you perform?
It depends very much on the area of work I am involved in. In clinical chemistry, in the large laboratory, we mainly work with blood parameters and measure the individual substances contained in the blood. In microbiology, we mainly examine the germs that make us ill. This includes everything from viruses and bacteria to fungi. For example, bacteria are cultured on plates so that they can be identified and then treated. In transfusion medicine, everything revolves around blood. This is also where the hospital’s blood bank is located, which stores over 500 blood products that are administered every day. It is particularly important to work accurately here, because even small mistakes can cost people their lives.
As a trainee now in my third year of training, I am already allowed to carry out most of the tasks on my own or under supervision. This means that you always have the opportunity to get involved and help out. From small tasks such as equipping devices to approving values or carrying out more complicated procedures, you have the opportunity to get involved in everything here.
Which tasks do you enjoy most?
I enjoy working in clinical chemistry because I am particularly interested in the sometimes complex and high-quality equipment and want to understand how it works. But anyone who thinks you just put samples in it is wrong – it’s not that simple, of course. Preparing and following up on samples is essential, because machines can only work as well as their users. I also really enjoy working in microbiology. A lot of the work there is still done by hand, and germ diagnostics is particularly interesting because there are so many different germs that it never gets boring and you’re always learning new things.
What are the biggest challenges in your training?
At first, I was very apprehensive about processing samples because I didn’t want to make any mistakes and end up “losing” someone’s sample material. The stress can also be very exhausting at times. But there are also phases when things are much quieter. At first, I was completely overwhelmed by the sheer amount of knowledge I had to learn, and I thought I would never be able to learn it all. But lo and behold: it’s not nearly as bad as I had feared, and you are guided through the training step by step without being overwhelmed. Today, I am very happy with my choice and no longer have any problems in my day-to-day work.
What career opportunities will you have later on, and where can you work with your degree?
The laboratory training to become an MTL opens up a number of doors for me. I have the opportunity to become a senior MTL in a particular area. On the other hand, you always have the option of changing focus and moving into other areas or even research, working closely with doctors. Continuing your studies afterwards is also no problem, as the training provides an excellent foundation for this because it covers so much knowledge.
How good are the chances of being hired after completing the training programme?
At the University Hospital, the chances of trainees being hired are very good. Trainees are generally given special preference. If you show an interest in a particular area at an early stage, you have a good chance of getting a job.
What do you particularly like about working and living in Jena?
The best thing is that school and work are close together, so you don’t have a long commute. But in general, I think the city of Jena is beautiful. The surrounding area with the mountains is particularly striking, and I can quickly get out into nature. At the same time, you can find everything you need without the city being overcrowded, as is often the case in other cities.
What advice would you give to someone considering training as an MTL in Jena? What things would you have liked to know beforehand?
If you are genuinely interested in biomedical contexts and enjoy working in a laboratory, you will struggle to find better training. In Jena in particular, you benefit from a good employer in the form of the university hospital and, at the same time, a lively city – a real bonus. All I can say is: don’t be intimidated by the sheer volume of knowledge, equipment and research. At first glance, it can all seem overwhelming. I felt the same way as everyone else, but I’m still here and can say that I haven’t regretted a single day.
Is there a misconception about training or medical professions that you would like to correct?
We work in a medical laboratory, so we inevitably come into contact with samples taken from human bodies. There are sometimes unpleasant tasks, but these don’t occur every day. It is particularly important to help people who simply want to get well. The job is also very varied and diverse.
Is there a particular skill or trick that you learned during your training and now use in everyday life?
Because you learn a lot about human physiology outside of the laboratory, people often ask me for advice. It feels really good when I can help them. I have also gained a tremendous amount of knowledge for myself, which is often useful in everyday life. I find the medical and biological connections particularly fascinating.
What have been the best moments of your training so far?
My best moment so far was actually at the beginning of my training, when I got to know my fellow trainees, who have since become very good friends. Since we support and help each other, friendship within the class is very important in making the training particularly enjoyable for everyone. However, the really best moment is yet to come: the final exam and passing it, when everything you’ve learned over the last three years pays off.
Die Ausbildung als Medizinischer Technologe für Laboratoriumsanalytik verbindet fundiertes, theoretisches Wissen mit praxisnaher Laborarbeit, bietet ein abwechslungsreiches und vielseitiges Aufgabenspektrum und ermöglicht den direkten Kontakt zu medizinischen Zusammenhängen, die den Alltag der Patient:innen beeinflussen. Teamarbeit, sorgfältiges Arbeiten und die Möglichkeit, eigene Fähigkeiten Schritt für Schritt zu entwickeln, machen die Ausbildung nicht nur lehrreich, sondern auch sehr erfüllend. Für alle, die sich für biomedizinische Zusammenhänge interessieren, Freude an präziser Laborarbeit haben und in einem unterstützenden Umfeld lernen möchten, bietet diese Ausbildung ideale Voraussetzungen.
Training facts and figures
- Duration: 3 years
- Start: September
- Remuneration (gross/month)
- 1st year: €1,280.74
- 2nd year: €1,340.80
- 3rd year: €1,437.53
- Theoretical partner: State Vocational School for Health and Social Services in Jena
- Requirements:
- A good secondary school leaving certificate or another qualification recognised as equivalent, or
- A secondary school leaving certificate or another qualification recognised as equivalent, together with successfully completed vocational training (at least two years)
- Similar training occupations:
- Medical technologist for radiology (MTR)
- Medical technologist for functional diagnostics (MTF)