The course provides basic training in biomedical and specialized disciplines in the different areas of Laboratory Medicine.

These include: biochemistry, microbiology and virology, pharmacotoxicology, immunology, clinical pathology, hematology, immunohematology, cytology and histopathology, delving into biomolecular, immunohistochemical and histochemical techniques, genetic and biotechnological techniques, and autopsy techniques.

Theoretical, theoretical-practical lectures and internships are aimed at acquiring the specialized knowledge and achieving the autonomy necessary for the practice of the profession.

The practical internship, carried out in an integrated manner with the frontal teaching, consists of laboratory activities at NHS hospital entities in all provinces of Liguria, for a total of 1400 hours over the three years of the course.

The student is supervised by biomedical laboratory health technicians, experts in the various disciplines; mid-term evaluations, practical internship examinations at the end of each year, and a final qualifying examination for the performance of the profession are scheduled.

Activities in public and private biomedical laboratories, university and extra-university research laboratories in the biomedical sector, pharmaceutical industry, Regional Agencies for Prevention and Environmental Protection, scientific laboratories of the State Police, Carabinieri and Guardia di Finanza, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institutes, veterinary laboratories, representative activities for companies producing laboratory instrumentation under a dependent or freelance basis.

This course provides adequate preparation for understanding the physio-pathological phenomena of the human organism, including those induced by microorganisms.

At the end of the training you will be able to:

• plan and implement all steps related to laboratory testing, through the use of methods and technologies recommended by international guidelines
• critically evaluate and document the reliability of test results in consideration of the health status of patients
• make decisions consistent with the role held taking into account, in addition to the results obtained, the legal, ethical, and deontological dimensions governing health care organization and professional responsibility
• participate in the organization of laboratory diagnostic activities in collaboration with the physician, colleagues, and graduates of other classes in the health-technical area.

Pathological Anatomy
Department of Integrated Surgical and Diagnostic Sciences - DISC
Via De Toni 14 - 2nd floor
16132 Genoa

Educational Secretariat
Department of Experimental Medicine - DIMES
Viale Benedetto XV
16132 Genoa

For the teaching of the Health Area Diplomas, the facilities of the Hospital Companies affiliated with UniGe listed below are used:

• ASL 4 Chiavarese - at the facilities of Salita Gianelli 6, Chiavari
• ASL 1 Imperiese - at the facilities in Via Sant'Agata 57, Imperia
• ASL 5 Spezzino - at the facilities at Via Migliari 21, La Spezia 
• Az. Osp. Santa Corona - Via XXV Aprile 128, Pietra Ligure 
• Az. Osp. San Paolo - Pad. Vigiola - Via Genova, Savona 

1) What work does a Biomedical Laboratory Technician graduate do?
. The responsibilities and functions of the Biomedical Laboratory Technician are established by Ministerial Decree No. 745 of September 14, 1994, Regulations concerning the identification of the figure and related professional profile of the Biomedical Laboratory Health Technician, which specifically states: the Biomedical Laboratory Technician is the health worker, in possession of the qualifying university diploma, responsible for the acts within his or her competence, who carries out laboratory analysis and research activities related to biomedical and biotechnological analysis and in particular biochemistry, microbiology and virology, pharmacotoxicology, immunology, clinical pathology, hematology, cytology and histopathology. The Biomedical Laboratory Technician: 1) performs with professional technical autonomy his or her work performance in direct collaboration with the graduate laboratory staff in charge of the various operational responsibilities to which he or she belongs; 2) is responsible, in the laboratory facilities, for the correct fulfillment of analytical procedures and his or her own work, within the scope of his or her duties in application of the work protocols defined by the managers in charge; 3) verifies the correspondence of the services provided to the indicators and standards predefined by the head of the facility; 4) checks and verifies the proper functioning of the equipment used, provides for routine maintenance and the eventual elimination of minor inconveniences; 5) participates in the planning and organization of work within the structure in which he/she works; 6) performs his/her work in public and private laboratory facilities, authorized according to current regulations, in a relationship of dependency or freelance.
 
2) What does a Biomedical Laboratory Technician graduate not do?
. The Biomedical Laboratory Technician processes biological specimens received in the laboratory until technical validation. He/she cannot perform the final clinical validation of the report as this function is reserved for the physician or biologist.
 
3) What kind of motivations do those who choose to major in Biomedical Laboratory Technician have?
. Passion for diagnosis and research related to laboratory methodologies, such as clinical pathology, pathologic anatomy, microbiology, genetics, and transfusion medicine, in order to provide a diagnosis and assist the clinician in the framing of a pathology and/or, based on laboratory results, give indications for proper treatment for patients.
 
4) Where can I get a job with a Biomedical Laboratory Technician degree?
. A Biomedical Laboratory Technician graduate can find work in hospital laboratories, ASLs, zooprophylactic institutes, private laboratories, veterinary practices, pharmaceutical industries, and companies producing diagnostic laboratory technology.

 
5) What types of users does a Biomedical Laboratory Technician graduate work with?
. The Laboratory Technician does not have direct contact with users/patients, he/she analyzes biological samples from users/patients that come to the laboratory.
 
6) In what public agencies can a Biomedical Laboratory Technician graduate work?
. The Biomedical Laboratory Technician works in the laboratories of hospital companies and ASLs (in the laboratories of clinical pathology, microbiology, pathological anatomy, genetics, transfusion medicine), zooprophylactic institutes.
 
7) What outlets does a Biomedical Laboratory Technician graduate have in the private sector?
. The Biomedical Laboratory Technician works as an employee or as a freelancer with VAT number in private laboratories, veterinary practices, pharmaceutical industries, manufacturers of diagnostic laboratory technologies.

 
8) What advanced studies can a Biomedical Laboratory Technician graduate gain access to?
. A Biomedical Laboratory Technician can continue his or her education by enrolling in first-level university Master's degrees and Postgraduate Courses, obtain a Master's degree, and later enroll in second-level Master's degrees and PhD.

 
9) How many chances does a Biomedical Laboratory Technician graduate have of finding a job?
. The chances of a Biomedical Laboratory Technician being placed in the workforce are close to 100 percent as the demand in both public and private facilities currently exceeds the number of professionals available.

 
10) What career options does a Biomedical Laboratory Technician graduate have?
. Career progression can lead to being a Laboratory Coordinator after acquiring the specific Master's Degree as required by Law 43 of 2006. After earning the Master's Degree, one can occupy management positions, as required by Law 251 of 2000, or choose to devote oneself to research or teaching in the university setting.

Medicine Student Desk
. opening hours, services offered, etc.

DIMES Teaching Secretariat
. Anna Tita Gallo
didattica.dimes@unige.it

Practicum Internship Coordinator
. Alessandra Signoretti
+39 010 353 7807
alessandra.signoretti@edu.unige.it