What is Medical Technology Certification?
Medical technologists, also known as medical laboratory scientists or clinical laboratory technologists, perform complex medical tests and analyze the results. Medical technologists working in larger facilities might concentrate on a single area, such as clinical chemistry, microbiology or immunology. Receiving certification through a professional organization, although voluntary, could be attractive to potential employers.
Medical Technology Certification Overview
<p>Many medical technologists opt to pursue professional certification, which may be required for licensure in some states. Even if it is not mandatory, certification can demonstrate proficiency in the field to potential employers. There are several types of certifications, many offering the opportunity to qualify in various areas of specialization. Certification usually calls for meeting education and training requirements and passing an exam. There may be continuing education requirements to maintain the certification.
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<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutThisAreaOfStudy">Important Facts About This Area of Study</h3>
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<table border="1"><tr><th> </th><th> American Society for Clinical Pathology Certification </th><th> American Medical Technologists Certification </th><th> American Association of Bioanalysts Certification</th></tr>
<tr><td> Specializations </td><td>Numerous, including blood banking, hematology, and microbiology</td><td> N/A</td><td> Numerous, including andrology, embryology, and molecular diagnostics</td></tr>
<tr><td> Prerequisites </td><td> Associate degree for technician exam; bachelor's degree for medical laboratory scientist exam </td><td> Bachelor's degree in medical technology or bachelor's degree in another field plus a training program in medical technology and a year or more of lab experience </td><td> Combination of a degree in a related field or a minimum of 60 college credits plus lab training</td></tr>
<tr><td> Possible Careers </td><td> Medical lab technician or scientist </td><td> Medical lab technologist </td><td> Medical lab technologist</td></tr>
<tr><td> Continuing Education </td><td> Professional self-assessment, continuing education courses and activities </td><td> Certification Continuation Program </td><td> Maintain credentials with lab-related programs and college courses</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---AmericanSocietyForClinicalPathologyCertification">American Society for Clinical Pathology Certification</h3>
<p>The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) offers credentials for medical laboratory technicians and scientists, which are intended for generalist medical lab professionals. In addition to your degree, you'll need to either have a sufficient academic background in medical laboratory technology, practical experience or a combination of the two. Certifications are valid for three years.
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<p>The ASCP also offers specialized medical lab certifications in chemistry, cytogenetics, cytotechnology, histotechnology, and molecular biology. Receiving the generalist medical laboratory certification provides you with immediate eligibility for many of the specialized certifications. However, some require you to have specific training in that specialty.
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<h3 id="section---AmericanMedicalTechnologistsCertification">American Medical Technologists Certification</h3>
<p>The American Medical Technologists (AMT) organization offers a medical technologist certification as well as certifications for many other medical professionals, such as medical assistants, dental assistants, and phlebotomists. In addition to education and experience, you'll need to be a member of the organization and maintain your membership through annual dues. Certifications are valid for three years.
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<h3 id="section---AmericanAssociationOfBioanalystsCertification">American Association of Bioanalysts Certification</h3>
<p>The American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB) also offers certification for medical technologists in many specializations, including chemistry, immunology, and immunohematology. You can choose to certify in one, a few or all of the specializations, or you can pursue a generalist medical technologist certification that includes five of the disciplines. If your state requires you to obtain a license, you might be able to substitute earning an AAB credential in lieu of taking a state licensing exam.
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<h3 id="section---SalaryAndJobOutlookInformation">Salary and Job Outlook Information</h3>
<p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, <i>www.bls.gov</i>), medical and clinical laboratory technologists and technicians earned a median salary of $57,800 in 2021. Job prospects are expected to grow for these professionals by 7% in the decade including 2021-2031, per the BLS.</p>