Medical Technologists

Medical Assisting Careers › Medical Technologists

See Available Medical Technologists Schools

Also Called: Clinical Laboratory Technologist

Job Description: Medical technologists serve as fully functional lab specialists, performing complex chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic and bacteriological tests. Among their myriad duties, technologists may find themselves microscopically examining blood, tissue and other body substances; making cultures of body fluid and tissue samples; analyzing samples for chemical content or a chemical reaction; and determining blood glucose and cholesterol levels. They also type and cross-match blood samples for transfusions.

Medical Technologists have more responsibility than Medical Technicians, a related field, and often supervise these technicians, especially in larger laboratory settings. Technologists also evaluate test results, monitor the accuracy of tests, and develop testing procedures. Depending on the size of the laboratory, technologists may perform many types of tests (if a smaller laboratory), or specialize, which is common in larger labs. Specialists (such as microbiology technologists, clinical chemistry technologists, among others) work within a specific set of tests.

Work Environment: Hours and working conditions vary for medical technologists, depending on the size and type of their place of employment. For example, technologists working in large hospitals or independent laboratories may work a day, evening, or night shift, as these facilities often operate around the clock. Personnel in smaller facilities may also find themselves working rotating shifts, depending on need. Some technologists are on call some nights and weekends in case of emergencies. Laboratory settings are well lighted and clean. Due to the nature of the work, technologists may spend the bulk of their day on their feet.

Education and Training Requirements: Generally speaking, medical technologists have a bachelor's degree in medical technology or in one of the life sciences, or some combination of formal training and work experience. Universities and hospitals offer medical technology programs, and include courses in chemistry, biological sciences, microbiology, mathematics, statistics, and specialized laboratory courses.

Salary Range: Median annual earnings of medical and clinical laboratory technologists were $42,910 in 2002. A representative sample of median salaries among popular places of employment for technologists looks like this:

• General medical and surgical hospitals: $43,340
• Medical and diagnostic laboratories: $42,020
• Offices of physicians: $38,690

Job Outlook: Excellent. First, the number of job openings is expected to continue to exceed the number of job seekers. Employment of clinical laboratory workers is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2012, as the volume of laboratory tests increases with both population growth and the development of new types of tests. Second, technological advances will make diagnostic tests more powerful and encourage additional testing among the population, leading to more opportunities.

Openings will continue to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations, retire or stop working for some other reason.

Medical Technologists Schools:

California
Everest College (El Monte, Alhambra, City of Industry, Gardena, Hayward, Los Angeles, Lynnwood, Reseda, San Bernardino, San Francisco, San Jose, Torrance, Wilshire) - Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist
Clarita Career College  (Canyon Country, Lancaster) - Administrative Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant, Medical Laboratory Assistant, Pharmacy Technician
Institute for Business and Technology - (Santa Clara) - Lab Assistant, EKG Technician/Phleb
National Career Education (Citrus Heights) - Lab Assistant, EKG Tech/Phlebotomist, Medical Assistant, Medical Biller/Coder/Office Assistant, Optical/Optometric Assistant
Florida
Central Florida Institute (Orlando, Palm Harbor) - Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant/Basic X-ray, Noninvasive Cardio Technician, Advanced Cardiovascular Technologist - ECHO
Keiser College (Daytona Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Lakeland, Melbourne, Orlando, Pembroke, Port St. Lucie, Sarasota, Tallahassee, Tampa, West Palm Beach*) - Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Health Services Administration, Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Radiology, Ultrasound Technologist, Health Services Administration, Medical Laboratory Technician

Oregon
Sanford-Brown Institute* (Dallas, Houston) - Medical Assistant, Certificate - Medical Laboratory Technician

Washington
Everest College* (Everett, Tacoma, Port Orchard, Renton) - Medical Assistant, Certificate - Medical Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist

Canada
Everest College * - Medical Laboratory Assistant, Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Office Assistant