Some medical technicians specialize in taking blood samples.
A medical technician is a health care worker who handles basic clinical tasks that usually require labwork or knowledge of medical technologies. These workers are essential to the health care industry because they either take care of initial medical work so doctors may proceed with care, or they provide data that is necessary for diagnostics. The term medical technician encompasses several specialties, but a basic job description for all medical technicians shows how the specialties are related.
General Duties
As shown by Education-Portal.com, the general duties of a medical technician vary based on specialty. For example, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) respond to emergency scenes, performing tasks such as CPR, intubation, checking vitals and setting splints. Medical laboratory technicians collect samples, run tests and analyze test results. Cardiovascular technicians perform tests such as EKGs or assist with heart monitoring. Radiologist and ultrasound technicians use equipment to take pictures of internal body structures. Surgical technicians assist doctors during surgery. All of the specialties within the medical technician field record or document their results or activities through logs or formal reports. They may explain procedures to patients, liaise with other medical personnel, make sure patients are prepped for tests, move patients from place to place and keep their work areas clean.
Education
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Education-Portal.com, medical technicians need to have a high school diploma or equivalent, followed by a minimum of an associate degree. The exception is EMTs, who must graduate from an EMT program that can last six to 24 months, depending on the EMT level desired. Usually the associate degree is in medical technology, but the precise degree varies based on the specialty. All fields require some kind of certification from organizations such as the American Medical Technologists, National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel and the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. Certification almost always requires taking a certification exam. Medical technicians also need to be licensed in some states.
Skills
The BLS indicates that medical technicians should have excellent analytical and problem solving skills. They should be detail-oriented and be proficient in computer use. Dexterity and color vision is a plus because medical technicians have to be physically able to handle medical equipment, and because color aids in diagnostics. Medical technicians must be able to work under pressure, since they may be under time constraints or have to make quick life-or-death decisions.
Work Environment
Medical technicians typically work within hospitals, clinics or other medical facilities. Because these facilities must comply with health and sanitation standards, medical technicians can expect a clean work environment. Medical technicians may be exposed to some hazards such as radiation, bodily fluids that may contain disease, and fumes from laboratory chemicals. The pace for many medical technicians is demanding and sometimes unpredictable.
Wages
BLS 2008 data shows that medical technicians make a median salary of $35,380. Depending on the specialty and level of experience, a medical technician may earn as much as $53,520.
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