Garron knew from a young age that his calling was in the medical field. He works as a medical technologist and client services manager for Ampath, and shares why he loves his job.

Garron is a medical technologist and client services manager for a company that provides pathology laboratory services for the South African medical community. Garron gave us some insight into his career, so we could learn more about his job in the medical industry.

Garron got his first set of medical tools at a very young age, an act that would spark his interest in medicine. “My parents bought me a microscope and a chemistry set when I was 9 years old. Examining my younger brother’s blood under that microscope was fascinating and was the catalyst for me wanting to become a Medical Technologist,” he explains.

Through the years, Garron worked his way up to become technologist-in-charge – a career path which he says has been a rewarding one. “The past 7 years have proved to be the most rewarding of all,” Garron says. “In 2011 the company I was working for was amalgamated into the Ampath Group. With the company merger came the opportunity to assist the management team to develop the client services department.  In so doing, my career as a client service manager in private pathology was born,” explains Garron.

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As a medical technologist Garron needs to conduct medical laboratory tests, procedures, experiments and analyses to provide information for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease.

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Garron says that being witness to the technological developments in the medical industry has made for an awe inspiring and exciting career. “The medical field is constantly evolving. When I started in medical technology most of the analytical tests were performed manually and it took hours to complete. We now have analysers that can churn out these results within minutes.”

More than this, Garron says that problem-solving skills are critical to his job, and having the ability to sort every problem out efficiently is very satisfying for him. “There is no better feeling than getting through another successful day in the lab.” He highlights that “this Zen-like state of balance can only be achieved by honing your skills, continuously broadening one’s knowledge and being exposed to as much as one can possibly absorb when training.”

What Garron loves most about his role as a medical technologist is knowing that he is a medical professional who through his training in the field, can contribute to the diagnostic process.

“It’s highly rewarding!”

Garron has plenty of advice for those who would love to follow in his footsteps.

First he suggests registering for a Bachelor of Health Science degree in Medical Laboratory Science (BSc.MLS). “There are a number of disciplines one can enter into as a qualified medical technologist. Completing a qualification in Clinical Pathology should also give you the necessary insight in deciding what field you would like to further pursue.

“Mathematics, physical science and biology/physiology are subject requirements in matric,” he adds. 

It’s vital to increase your knowledge in the medical field, he says. “When training, seize every opportunity that comes your way. The first 4 training years are the most important. You will need a strong foundation to build on.”

“Never stop learning and remain relevant,” Garron advises.

During the early stages of your career, Garron suggests joining a company like Ampath, where you one can receive formal training. “Come to terms with working shifts as lab services form part of the essential health services which function 24/7.”

If, like Garron, you would like to share your pride in your career, send a mail to editor@careers24.com, telling us about yourself and your awesome job, and we’ll be in touch.