| Degree Required | Bachelor's degree |
| Education Field of Study | Medical laboratory technology, life science, biology, chemistry |
| Certification | Appropriate national certification for state licensing |
| Key Responsibilities | Prepare and analyze samples; conduct tests; enter data; maintain equipment |
| Job Growth (2020-2030) | 11% (for clinical lab technologists and technicians)* |
| Median Annual Salary (2020) | $54,180 (for clinical lab technologists and technicians)* |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
What Kind of Education Do I Need to Begin a Career in Medical Technology?
The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act mandates that laboratory workers who perform complex tests hold a least an associate's degree in medical laboratory technology or laboratory science (www.cdc.gov). However, entry into the medical technology field as a clinical laboratory technologist may require a bachelor's degree in medical technology or a life science, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov). When choosing a school, look for programs approved by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.
Will I Need a License or Certification?
Licensing requirements vary by state. Certification is typically a voluntary process, but it may be required in order to obtain state licensing. American Medical Technologist (AMT) and the Board of Certification of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) offer medical technologist credentials.
Medical technologist certification through AMT requires a bachelor's degree in medical technology or a related field (americanmedtech.org). If your degree is in a related field, you'll need to complete a medical technology program or have a minimum of one year of recent clinical laboratory experience. Your laboratory experience must include biological, chemical or physical examination of fluids and tissues.
The ASCP offers medical technologist certifications in nine specialties, including cytogenetics, blood banking and hematology. The minimum requirement for each certification is a bachelor's degree. Additionally, the ASCP offers international credentials to candidates who were educated outside the U.S. To qualify for the International Medical Technologist credential, you'll need medical laboratory training, work experience and a bachelor's degree.
What Might My Job Duties Be?
You'll work in one or more of the medical technology disciplines, such as immunology and clinical microscopy. Your primary duties would be to analyze and test body fluids and tissue samples. Other responsibilities may include specimen preparation, quality assurance, equipment maintenance and data entry. Work experience and additional education, such as a master's degree or a graduate certificate, could help you advance to a management or supervisory position.
If you are interested in a technologist job that involves diagnostic testing, you could consider becoming a diagnostic medical sonographer. This job involves using ultrasound equipment to create internal body images, which doctors can use to identify diseases and disorders. This job usually requires an associate's degree or postsecondary certificate. Alternatively, you might want to think about becoming a forensic science technician. Instead of analyzing samples for medical purposes, they run tests of evidentiary specimens for criminal investigations. Like medical technologists, these professionals usually need a bachelor's degree.
