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A medical technologist is trained and certified to perform complex laboratory tests
on body fluids, tissues, cells and other biological specimens. These tests help
physicians and other healthcare professionals to identify, diagnose and treat
diseases. A medical technologist performs many simple and complex microscopic and
chemical laboratory procedures on a daily basis. He/she will do such things as
examining blood for transfusion purposes or analyzing cells in the attempt to
identify such diseases as diabetes and cancer. Individuals who pursue a medical
technologist career will find that it is a very versatile position with endless job
opportunities in variety of locations such as hospitals, clinics, research firms, etc.
Medical technologists may specialize in a certain procedures or fields of study.
Specializations often require additional training both in the laboratory and in the
classroom. Medical technologists can specialize in microbiology, chemistry,
hematology, blood bank, and immunology.
In terms of education, medical technologists require a minimum of a bachelor?s
degree (approximately four years in length) from a regionally accredited
college/university in an area of study that contains the appropriate number of
hours in biological science, chemistry and mathematics. Individuals must also
complete a medical technology program that is accredited by the
National Accrediting
Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. Accredited medical technology
programs can either be university-based as part of the baccalaureate process or
hospital-based and is completed after a bachelor?s degree is achieved. After the
education process is complete, individuals will want to become certified by passing
a national examination given by a nationally recognized organization such as the
American Society of Clinical Pathologists.
Please visit this website to learn more about career opportunities as a medical
technologist. Please use the links provided below to learn more about specific
educational programs pertaining to this field.
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