Careers in Chemistry

Medical Technologist

Job Description

A medical technologist is a health professional who performs diagnostic tests on human body fluids.  They are often responsible for collecting and preparing specimens, performing analytical tests, and analyzing the results.  Among the tests medical technologists are responsible for performing, the most common are complete blood counts, comprehensive metabolic panels, electrolyte panels, liver function tests, urinalysis, prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time.

Educational Requirements

A medical technologist typically earns a bachelor's degree in Clinical Laboratory Science or in a life science.  In most four year degrees, the coursework consists of three years of classwork and one year of clinical rotations.  The academic courses taken during the first three years include general education requirements with a heavy emphasis in chemistry and biology.  Clinical courses are also taken.  During clinical rotations, students receive hands-on experience in each area of the laboratory.  In most states, medical technologists must also become nationally certified, and some states require a state license.  Annual continuing education credits for certification and license renewal is required.

Medical Technologist and Chemistry

During undergraduate study, much emphasis is placed on chemistry because it plays such a vital role in the tests performed by medical technologists.  Medical technologist use chemistry to test samples of body fluid that have been collected.  They must know which chemicals to add to each sample to obtain the desired results, as well as be able to analyze and understand the results of the test.  Although many instruments are used, medical technologists must have an understanding to the chemistry involved in the test.

Areas of Specialty

Most medical technologists are skilled in all areas of the laboratory; however, some are specialists.  To become a specialist additional undergraduate education or additional training is required.  Specialties include:                

Employment Opportunity

Approximately half of medical technologist work in hospitals.  Most of the remaining medical technologists work in medical offices and clinics of physicians, but a small number work in education, blood banks and research laboratories. The United State is currently experiencing a labor shortage for medical technologists.  In 2004, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 13,000 new laboratory professionals would be needed in the United State each year, but only 5,000 students graduate from training programs annually.  Employment of medical technologists is expected to grow 10-20% through 2010.  The average hourly wage of medical technologists varied slightly by the type of employer: 

References:

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos096.htm

 http://flahec.org/hlthcareers/MEDTECH.HTM

 http://programs.kcc.hawaii.edu/health/mlt/curricas.htm

 http://www.amt1.com/site/epage/15319_315.htm

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_technologist

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Page Prepared By:  Shannon Hutson