LABORATORY SCIENCES
Medical Technologist
To be a successful Medical Technologist you should...
be self-sufficient, precise, and thorough; be a trouble-shooter who not only reports accurate results, but also knows when results are incorrect and need to be rechecked; like challenge and responsibility; be reliable, work well under pressure, and able to finish a task; communicate well, both orally and in writing.
What will my job be like?
The medical technologist performs a full range of laboratory tests – from simple pre-marital blood tests to more complex tests to uncover diseases such as AIDS, diabetes, and cancer. Medical technologists work quickly and carefully. The test results they give to doctors influence the medical treatment a patient receives.
Specialties
- Blood Banking
- Chemistry
- Hematology
- Immunology
- Microbiology
Where could I work?
Medical technologists are employed in hospitals, independent laboratories, clinics, and public health departments.
Other workplace settings:
- Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industry
- Medical Supply and Equipment Sales
- Physician Offices
- Research Laboratories
- State and Federal Facility/Public Health Laboratory
- Walk-In Clinics
Average Annual Salary
$60,780 per year
What is the future of this career?
Employment of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians is projected to grow 5 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 24,200 openings for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Type of Education/Training
Medical technologists need a combination of formal education (bachelor’s degree) plus clinical education in a medical technology program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).
Where could I get the education/training?
- Quinnipiac University
- University of Connecticut
- University of Hartford
Licensing/Certification
Licensure is not required in the state of Connecticut.
More Information
American Society for Clinical Pathology
33 West Monroe Street, Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60603
312-541-4999
American Medical Technologists
10700 West Higgins Road, Suite 150
Rosemont, IL 60018
847-823-5169
American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
P.O. Box 92
Dundee, MI 48131
301.478.6379
