Medical Technologist
Career Description
Medical technologists (M.T.) also may be known as clinical laboratory scientists. They analyze human blood, tissues and body fluids. Medical technologists also may supervise numerous medical laboratory tests using many different precision instruments. They also can conduct research and develop scientific methodology to advance the study of disease processes, correlate test results and interpret findings. Physicians depend on M.T.s to produce reliable and valid results that are used to determine the presence, extent and possible cause of disease. An M.T. can work in one of five different areas of the clinical laboratory, including blood (preparing blood components and plasma for transfusion), chemistry (analyzing chemical substances present in blood), hematology (examining abnormal cells and disease affecting the blood), immunology (examining the degree of immunity or resistance to disease and assisting in studies for organ transplant) and microbiology (identifying the bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites that cause infectious diseases). Most M.T.s work in a hospital laboratory. An experienced M.T. may advance to supervisory positions as a chief medical technologist or laboratory manager in large hospitals. Specialization and graduate education are available and faculty opportunities exist at colleges and universities. Other opportunities exist in independent laboratories, pharmaceutical firms, research institutions and physician offices. The work environment can be as varied as the types of practices.
Academic Requirements
Bachelor's degree programs in medical technology require three to four years of college plus one year of clinical laboratory education and experience in an accredited health facility. An M.T. must pass either the licensure examination administered by the Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel or an acceptable national certification examination before becoming eligible to take the national certification exam administered by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP), the National Certification Agency for Medical Laboratory Personnel (NCA) or the American Medical Technologists (AMT). Continuing education hours are required every two years for license renewal.
Schools
College of the Ozarks (Point Lookout)
800/222-0525
CoxHealth School of Medical Technology (Springfield)
417/269-6633
Culver-Stockton College (Canton)
573/288-6000
Evangel University (Springfield)
417/865-2815
Lincoln University (Jefferson City)
573/681-5000
Mineral Area College - Park Hills
573/431-4593
Missouri Southern State University (Joplin)
866/816-MSSU
Missouri State University (Springfield)
417/836-5000
Missouri Western State College (St. Joseph)
816/271-4200
Southeast Missouri State University (Cape Girardeau)
573/651-2000
Southwest Baptist University (Bolivar)
800/526-5859
University of Missouri-Columbia
573/882-2121
Professional Associations
National
American Association of Bioanalysts
American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
Clinical Laboratory Management Association
State
Missouri Organization for Clinical Laboratory Science
Additional Information
Learn More About Clinical Laboratory Services
Read Personal Accounts of Current Medical Technologists
