General Information about Medical Technology

Medical Technologists are also known as Clinical Laboratory Scientists. This name is more recognizable as they are skilled scientists who perform various analyses on blood or other body fluids to help make a diagnosis of a disease. Some examples of their work include:

-The detection of diabetes by measuring blood sugar or insulin levels.

-Measuring cholesterol levels to prevent heart disease or cardiac enzyme level monitoring that would inform the physician if the patient had had a heart attack.

-Blood count levels to detect cases of cancer or leukemia.

-The ability to monitor levels of anti-rejection drugs after organ transplants, as well as to determine if an organ is compatible from a donor to a potential recipient.

-Preparation of blood for transfusions during surgery, or after accidents.

-Determination of what kind of bacteria is making the patient ill, and assisting the physician in deciding which antibiotics are the most appropriate and effective.

Some call Med Techs “behind the scenes detectives” in the health care industry as they perform the procedures that will help solve medical mysteries. The technologists analyze samples of blood, tissue, and body fluids using the latest technology and a variety of analytical techniques.

Currently there is a shortage of these medical personnel and the need is more pronounced than ever. Examples of career opportunities include hospital and or research technologists, supervisors, managers, educators, sales, and public health.

According to the best-selling 1999 book, Jobs Rated Almanac: The Best and Worst Jobs by Les Krantz, Medical Technologists ranked 16 in a list of 250 jobs. They also ranked third in the healthcare/medicine occupational category. The positions were scored on factors such as salary, stress levels, work environment, outlook, security and physical demands.

How do you become a Clinical Laboratory Scientist?

You will need a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/university including courses in biological science (with one semester in microbiology), chemistry and mathematics AND successful completion of a one year NAACLS accredited Medical Technologist internship program. Contact the National Accrediting Agency of Clinical Laboratory Scientists at www.naacls.org for a list of hospital programs. Applications should be submitted by the early fall for interviews that will take place in January. Preference is usually given to applicants who have maintained an overall GPA of 3.0 or above and a science GPA of 3.0 or above.

Further information on the profession may be obtained from the American Society of Clinical Pathology www.ascp.org

Contact www.geocities.com/clscne/ for additional information on the Clinical Laboratory Society of Central New England.