Medical Technologist Education Requirements
Once her fourth child entered middle school, 46-year-old Jennifer decided to return to the workforce after a 20-year absence. She quickly discovered that the education required for the career of her dreams – medical technology – was substantially more rigorous than what she had imagined. She needed to start by updating her bachelor’s degree with additional science courses.
Overview of medical technology
There are more than 300,000 medical technologists and technicians working in the United States, according toAmerican Medical Technologists. A medical technologist performs a variety of complex chemical, biological and histological analyses.
Technologists work in clinical laboratories of hospitals, other medical facilities and private testing companies.Education-Portal.comreports that training focuses on the development of analytical skills in addition to laboratory technology.
College and university training
Individuals who want to become medical technologists have two basic educational options. The minimum is a bachelor’s degree in medical technology or a science such as biology, chemistry or biochemistry.
Undergraduate medical technology majors must complete courses in the sciences, microbiology, math and statistics in addition to the classes their college or university requires in humanities, physical education, language and other general education areas. Most also complete an internship.
Individuals employed as medical technologists often advance to medical technologists after completing the appropriate additional training.
For individuals with bachelor’s degrees but without a medical technology major, educational requirements typically take between 12 and 18 months to complete. The credential earned is usually known as a Medical Laboratory Technology Certificate of Proficiency, though it has other names. Classes cover medical microbiology, clinical chemistry, phlebotomy, hematology, parasitology, diagnostic immunology and clinical laboratory instrumentation.
Licensing and credentialing
The educational requirements for licensing vary by state. Some require passing one or more exams. Information on licensure requirements is available from state health departments.
In many cases, medical technologists who are certified by a professional association such as the American Medical Technologists have an edge when it comes to finding a job. The nationally recognized agencies that accredit educational programs in medical technology include the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
In order to maintain licenses and certifications, medical technologists must complete continuing education requirements. The type and amount varies according to the credentialing. However, the American Medical Technologist certification status mandates 45 continuing education credits within a three-year period. Most states require up to 15 continuing education units each year to maintain a license in medical technology.
