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Degrees and Schools
Most entry-level medical lab technologist jobs require a bachelor's degree in one of the life sciences or in medical technology, although a combination of education and specialized training may be sufficient. Degree programs in medical technology as well as the life sciences are available through four-year colleges and universities. Some hospitals offer medical technology degree programs as well.
Employers often prefer to hire medical lab technicians who are certified. To obtain certification, students must attend an accredited educational program. The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) accredits educational programs for all areas of study relevant to clinical laboratory technology. The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredit programs that focus on specific areas within the field.
Classes
Degree programs divide students' time between class and lab. Courses typically include:
- chemistry and clinical chemistry
- biological sciences, microbiology and bacteriology
- mathematics and statistics
- immunology and hematology
- immunohematology
- cytotechnology and molecular biology
- management and business
- computer applications
Online Classes and Programs
Because education in medical technology requires access to laboratories, online degree programs are not common. However, many universities include online learning as part of their degree programs.
Any degree program should be accredited through the NAACLS, ABHES or CAAHEP.
Employment Requirements
The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act requires all medical laboratory technologists to have at least an associate's degree if they're performing highly complex tests. Some states require registration or licensure, and usually stipulate that applicants be graduates of an accredited program and pass an exam. Requirements vary by state.
Most employers prefer medical lab technologists who have a bachelor's from an accredited program and are certified through professional associations such as:
- National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel
- Board of Registry of the American Society for Clinical Pathology
- Board of Registry of the American Association of Bioanalysts
- American Medical Technologists
How to Evaluate Schools
Asking these questions can be helpful when evaluating medical technology degree programs:
- Tuition and financial aid - What does the school offer for financial aid - such as scholarships, work / study, grants and student loans?
- Focus - How much emphasis is placed on preparing students for certification and state requirements for licensure / registration?
- Practical experience - Do course requirements include substantial lab experience? Are labs owned by the university, or outsourced? For outsourced laboratories, are jobs available after graduation?
- Accreditation - Has the program been accredited through NAACLS, ABHES or CAAHEP?
- Class structure- How many students are usually in popular classes? Are those courses difficult to get into? Are lab resources adequate to meet the demand?
- Graduate success - How many graduates, over the previous several years, obtained certification within a year of completing school? Does the school have a comprehensive job placement program?
Medical Lab Technologist / Clinical Lab Technologist Job Description
Doctors and other health care professionals order lab tests to assess patients' health. Once the blood, urine, saliva, hair or other specimens have been collected, medical laboratory technologists perform examinations with a microscope, perform complex tests, analyze the results, and report them to the medical professional for diagnostic use. Medical laboratory technologists are also known as clinical laboratory technologists.
Why Become a Medical Lab Technologist?
Career tips, salaries, and lists of schools.
An engaging technologist supervisor for a medical lab gives her reasons why young people should consider this line of work. She cites the rapid advancements in the field as part of its excitement and touches upon lifestyle and opportunities for professional growth.
Responsibilities of medical lab technologists usually include:
- Conducting advanced chemical, bacteriological, immunologic, biological and hematological tests
- Examining specimens with microscopes
- Making cultures of tissues and body fluids to reveal parasites, bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms
- Analyzing chemical content, chemical reactions and blood concentrations of certain compounds
- Typing and cross-matching samples of blood for transfusions
- Evaluating results of tests
- Establishing and modifying programs and procedures to ensure quality control and test accuracy
- Supervision of medical lab technicians (also known as clinical lab technicians)
A Day in the Life of Medical Lab Technologist
Produced by the government of Alberta, this video gives an excellent overview of what a medical lab technologist does. A technologist describes how she came to this line of work and what her typical day is. The video follows her as she works in her laboratory. She shares some insights into what career options a lab technologist has, what qualities a lab technologist should have, and why she likes her work.
Medical lab technologists may perform many kinds of tests in smaller labs, while in large laboratories they occupy a more specific role on a team. They might specialize in clinical chemistry, immunology, microbiology, immunohematology (blood banking), cytotechnology and molecular biology. Most labs operate 24 hours a day, so a variety of shift schedules are available.
Compared to a related occupation, medical laboratory technicians, technologists typically have more education and training. Technologists also undertake more complex and sophisticated tests than technicians. Frequently medical lab technologists will supervise medical lab technicians.
Example Medical Lab Technologist Program
A helpful glimpse of a program at a community college in Minnesota, St. Paul College. The video overviews this career, including comments from students and staff about what they consider appealing about this diagnostic, investigative oriented field.
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