Medical technicians work in clincial labratories studying infectious specimens to help determine diagnosis.
A medical technician, more commonly referred to as a medical technologist or clinical laboratory scientist, works in hospital and clinical laboratories performing diagnostic tests to assist medical doctors in making diagnosis and prescribing treatments. Some medical technicians also seek employment in the biotech industry with privately held companies. Such personnel often find themselves working with infectious specimens. Requirements to become a medical technician include a bachelor's degree, national certification, and in some cases, state licensure.
Instructions
1. Complete a medical technologist, clinical laboratory specialist, or life sciences bachelor's degree program at a regionally accredited university or community college. Students can expect to complete both classroom study and hands-on training in the form of clinicals with university or community hospitals and clinics. Such programs take four years to complete and candidates can expect to take courses in life sciences, chemistry, biology, microbiology, human physiology, mathematics, and statistics. Each college and university has its own procedures for application and acceptance. Prospective students should research each educational institution to find the programs that works best for them.
2. Gain national certification from one of the following organizations: the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or The American Medical Technologists (AMT). Each organization administers an exam that will test a candidate's knowledge as applied on the job when working as a medical technician. Application procedures, test structure and requirements to complete the exam vary with each organization. Candidates should research each certifying organization to determine which one better suits his needs. Most employers will require certification and those states that require licensing, usually demand certification as well.
3. Secure a license from the appropriate state licensing authority. Some states require licensing, while others do not. Candidates should research their own state requirements by contacting the state's Department of Health. States that require licensing typically request official school transcripts, national certification and may require applicants to pass a state exam as well.
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