Medical technologists play an important role in treating patients. Also called clinical laboratory technologists, medical technologists are highly skilled professionals who work in hospitals and labs to analyze the results of blood tests and bodily fluids. They work in areas throughout the lab including hematology, cytology, immunology, genetics, toxicology, and blood banking.
What does a medical technologist do?
A medical technologist performs complex assessments used for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. These assessments include biological, hematological, microscopic, immunologic, and bacteriological. Medical technologists are responsible for preparing test samples of fluids, tissue, and blood and ensuring the samples and specimens match. They help pathologists gather and update patient data, perform basic equipment troubleshooting, and handle lab equipment.
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How to Become a Medical Technologist
Becoming a highly skilled professional requires specialized education, training, and certification. Take a look a how to get started in the field of medical technology.
1. Pursue a bachelor’s degree.
Employers require medical technologist candidates to hold a bachelor’s degree in either medical technology or a relevant field. While not as rigorous as medical education, a bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory technology includes courses in physiology, anatomy, immunology, biology, microbiology, chemistry, mathematics, statistics, and laboratory technology and management.
2. Get hands-on experience.
Gain hands-on experience by taking advantage of an internship or practicum opportunities. Experience preparing and testing samples, and observing medical technologists and pathologists will be valuable when it comes time to apply for your first job. Internships are a great way to network with experienced professionals who may one day give professional references.
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3. Earn a master’s degree.
It’s a good idea to earn an advanced degree in medical technology or a related field. A graduate degree will teach you refined skills, increase your medical lab knowledge, and help you build a research portfolio. Earning a graduate degree can increase your earning potential and advance your career.
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4. Get certified and licensed.
Most employers require medical technologists to hold a valid certification from the American Medical Technologists (AMT) organization and the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP). You’ll also be required to hold a state-issued license depending on where you choose to practice.
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Medical Technology Subpecialties
You can choose to practice a specialty area of medical technology:
- Transfusion Medicine: medical technologists are responsible for ensuring an adequate and safe supply of blood in a blood bank. They are also responsible for blood typing and screening blood for infectious diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis C virus.
- Forensic Pathology: this specialty examines clinical and anatomical evidence following a sudden, unexpected death. Medical technologists are responsible for running tests on the human and non-human specimens collected by forensic pathologists during the autopsy process to determine the cause of death.
- Organ-Specific Pathology: medical technologists with an interest in understanding how diseases affect systems and accurate ways to diagnose them can pursue pathology subspecialties. Specialty areas include cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, gynecological, neuropathology, pulmonary, and orthopedic pathology.
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Pursuing a career in medical technology can be incredibly rewarding if you’re willing to complete the necessary education, training, and certification.