What Is a Medical Technologist?
A medical technologist is a laboratory scientist whose work plays a vital role in the prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment of disease. Their testing of blood, body tissues and fluids, and analysis of results provide physicians with the necessary data for their work in directly helping patients.
The work of a medical technologist
A medical technologist job description involves analysing blood and bodily fluids to check for parasites, fungi, bacteria, cancer cells or toxicity. They complete blood profiles such as cholesterol levels, white blood cell count etc. Medical technologists also match blood samples and screen blood for transfusions. The majority of their tests involve the use of complex precision instruments and therefore a medical lab technologist needs to be au fait with the operation of a wide range of equipment. Results need to be evaluated and quality control ensured for accuracy. Many medical technologists also conduct research programs.
Certain skills are also required for the job. A medical technologist needs to be good at problem-solving and must have good judgement since they interpret test results and draw conclusions in relation to diagnosis and cause of disease. They require close attention to detail in identifying slight variations when reading results. Medical technologists need to be able to work under pressure as they deal with thousands of laboratory tests within time frames. They also require visual acuity and manual dexterity in operating equipment and reading results from precision instruments.
Training required to be a medical technologist
Medical technologist training involves either four years of study to obtain a bachelor’s degree, preferably in a science subject such as biology or chemistry, followed by a medical technologist program, or by obtaining a medical technologist degree. There is also the option of completing online medical technologist programs. Courses cover chemistry, biology, microbiology, physics, mathematics, statistics and computer sciences as well as clinical and technical training including clinical chemistry, bacteriology, virology, toxicology, mycology, immunology, haematology and molecular diagnostic testing. A period of internship in a laboratory is also required.
It is essential that programs offered by a university or medical technologist school are accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).
Medical technologist certification
After completing the necessary training requirements it is best if a graduate obtains medical technologist certification. This can be achieved through passing an examination set by a professional association such as the American Medical Technologists (AMT), the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCALP). Being a certified medical technologist demonstrates to employers that you are proficient in medical technology and guarantees you greater job success.
Medical technologist job outlook
The prospects of a medical technologist job are very good in that this part of the medical industry is experiencing growth and has a large number of vacancies. Furthermore, there are excellent job opportunities for advancement such as supervisory positions or laboratory managers. It is also a well paid job with the average medical technologist salary being around $50,000.
See Related Articles
Medical Assistant | Medical Technologist Salary | Medical Technologist Jobs
