How to Become a Medical Technologist
If you have ever watched the medical TV series Grey's Anatomy, the medical technologist is the person who the doctors go to when they request a lab test. They are the hidden superstars, conducting medical laboratory tests and analysis, providing physicians with information for preventing, diagnosing, and treating disease.
The medical technologist is involved in processing clinical samples, performing laboratory procedures, undertaking bench work, assessing supplies and reagents as well as managing inventory control systems. Besides that, they also assist in ensuring quality control in data and testing results.
A medical technologist is required to have a bachelor's degree that is medical or science-related as well as at least one year of clinical laboratory experience. They earn, on average, $24 per hour. This role suits an individual who enjoys conducting laboratory research and being a vital support role for healthcare personnel.
What Does a Medical Technologist Do
Medical laboratory technologists (commonly known as medical laboratory scientists) and medical laboratory technicians collect samples and perform tests to analyze body fluids, tissue, and other substances.
How To Become a Medical Technologist
Medical laboratory technologists typically need a bachelor’s degree. Technicians usually need an associate’s degree or a postsecondary certificate. Some states require technologists and technicians to be licensed.
EducationAn entry-level job for technologists usually requires a bachelor's degree in medical technology or life sciences.
A bachelor’s degree program in medical laboratory technology, also known as a medical laboratory scientist degree, includes courses in chemistry, biology, microbiology, math, and statistics. Coursework emphasizes laboratory skills, including safety procedures and lab management.
The courses may be offered through a university or hospital-based program that students attend during their senior year of college. College graduates who major in other sciences and meet a program’s prerequisites, such as having completed required courses in biology and chemistry or maintaining a certain GPA, also may apply to a medical laboratory science program.
Medical laboratory technicians often complete an associate’s degree program in clinical laboratory science. A limited number of 1-year certificate programs are available from hospitals, and admission requirements vary. The Armed Forces and vocational or technical schools also may offer certificate programs for medical laboratory technicians. Technician coursework addresses the theoretical and practical aspects of each of the major laboratory disciplines.
High school students who are interested in pursuing a career in the medical laboratory sciences should take classes in chemistry, biology, and math.
Licenses, Certifications, and RegistrationsSome states require laboratory personnel to be licensed. Requirements vary by state and specialty. For specific requirements, contact state departments of health, state boards of occupational licensing, or visit The American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science.
Certification of medical laboratory technologists and technicians is required for licensure in some states. Although certification is not required to enter the occupation in all cases, employers typically prefer to hire certified technologists and technicians.
Medical laboratory technologists and technicians can obtain a general certification as a medical laboratory technologist or technician, respectively, or a certification in a specialty, such as cytotechnology or medical biology. Most credentialing institutions require that technologists complete an accredited education program in order to qualify to sit for an exam. For more credentialing information, visit the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.
Important QualitiesAbility to use technology. Medical laboratory technologists and technicians must understand how to operate complex machinery.
Detail oriented. Medical laboratory technologists and technicians must follow exact instructions in order to perform tests or procedures correctly.
Dexterity. Medical laboratory technologists and technicians need to be skilled with their hands. They work closely with needles and precise laboratory instruments and must handle these tools effectively.
Physical stamina. Medical laboratory technologists and technicians may work on their feet for long periods while collecting samples. They may need to lift or turn disabled patients to collect samples for testing.
AdvancementAfter additional education, work experience, or certification, technologists and technicians may specialize in one of many areas of laboratory science, such as immunology, histotechnology, or clinical chemistry. Some medical laboratory technicians advance to technologist positions after gaining experience and additional education.
Medical Technologist Career Paths
As you move along in your career, you may start taking on more responsibilities or notice that you've taken on a leadership role. Using our career map, a medical technologist can determine their career goals through the career progression. For example, they could start out with a role such as certified nursing assistant, progress to a title such as registered nurse and then eventually end up with the title nurse manager.
Average Salary for a Medical Technologist
What Am I Worth?
Top Colleges for Medical Technologists
1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
2. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
3. University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT • Private
4. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
5. SUNY Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY • Private
6. New York University
New York, NY • Private
7. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
8. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
9. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
10. Howard University
Washington, DC • Private
Choose From 10+ Customizable Medical Technologist Resume templates
Zippia allows you to choose from different easy-to-use Medical Technologist templates, and provides you with expert advice. Using the templates, you can rest assured that the structure and format of your Medical Technologist resume is top notch. Choose a template with the colors, fonts & text sizes that are appropriate for your industry.
Medical Technologist Demographics
Medical Technologist Gender Distribution
After extensive research and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
- Among medical technologists, 68.5% of them are women, while 31.5% are men.
- The most common race/ethnicity among medical technologists is White, which makes up 56.2% of all medical technologists.
- The most common foreign language among medical technologists is Spanish at 57.4%.
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Best States For a Medical Technologist
Some places are better than others when it comes to starting a career as a medical technologist. The best states for people in this position are Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and California. Medical technologists make the most in Alaska with an average salary of $78,180. Whereas in Washington and Oregon, they would average $71,113 and $69,696, respectively. While medical technologists would only make an average of $69,232 in California, you would still make more there than in the rest of the country. We determined these as the best states based on job availability and pay. By finding the median salary, cost of living, and using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Location Quotient, we narrowed down our list of states to these four.
1. Idaho
$60,205
Avg. Salary
2. Alaska
$78,180
Avg. Salary
3. California
$69,232
Avg. Salary
How Do Medical Technologist Rate Their Jobs?
Top Medical Technologist Employers
Most Common Employers For Medical Technologist
| Rank | Company | Average Salary | Hourly Rate | Job Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mayo Clinic | $61,865 | $29.74 | 65 |
| 2 | University Hospitals | $57,766 | $27.77 | 66 |
| 3 | Cleveland Clinic | $56,883 | $27.35 | 67 |
| 4 | St Joseph's Hospital | $56,516 | $27.17 | 88 |
| 5 | Comanche County Memorial Hospital | $54,658 | $26.28 | 88 |
| 6 | Appalachian Regional Healthcare System | $53,975 | $25.95 | 169 |
| 7 | UT Health East Texas | $53,763 | $25.85 | 69 |
| 8 | Brookdale Senior Living | $53,350 | $25.65 | 75 |
| 9 | US Air Conditioning Distributors | $52,208 | $25.10 | 554 |
| 10 | Integrated Regional Laboratories | $52,121 | $25.06 | 131 |
Medical Technologist Videos
Becoming a Medical Technologist FAQs
Do medical technologists make good money?
Yes, medical technologists make good money. The average medical technologist makes around $60,000 a year, ranging between $27,500 to $88,000 a year. The large difference in earning potential seen for medical technologists is related to the location of the job, the type of medical technologist, and the number of years on the job.
How do you become a certified medical technologist?
To become a certified medical technologist requires a bachelor's degree, practical experience, and certification and licensing.
One way to become a medical technologist is to enroll in a medical laboratory technology degree program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).
How long does it take to become a medical technologist?
It takes five years to become a medical technologist. The period it takes to become a medical technologist may vary among individuals depending on their dedication to completing the educational and clinical experience needed.
Is it hard to be a medical technologist?
No, it is not hard to become a medical technology. To become a medical technologist requires a 4-year degree and depending on passing a state licensing exam (depending on the state).
Many medical technologists obtain a bachelor's degree in medical laboratory technician (MLT). In contrast, others earn a bachelor's degree in a similar area such as biology, chemistry, or mathematics.
What jobs can medical technologists do?
The jobs that medical technologists can do include running tests, process samples, and provide information about patients' conditions to doctors.
Many medical technologists work on the side of the hospital that isn't commonly seen by patients. Almost 50% of medical technologists work in hospitals, 20% work in diagnostic labs, and 10% in doctors' offices.