Becoming a medical technologist with a biology degree involves getting the right education and doing your best to find a job where you can apply your knowledge. You will also need to be able to work well with others, conduct yourself professionally, and adhere to protocols in order to advance in the field.
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Have you ever thought about getting your medical technology certificate and wondered what it would take to become a medical technologist with a biology degree? Well, if that has been on your mind and you’re not sure how to get started or what to expect, then this article is for you.
If you have a biology degree, you can become a medical technologist. Medical technologists are involved in the collection and analysis of patient samples. They also provide lab services for doctors and nurses.
Medical technologists must complete training at a community college or hospital, followed by an internship. After completing their training, they must pass certification exams.
What Does It Take To Become A Medical Technologist?
If you want to become a medical technologist with a biology degree, you’ll need to complete four years of education at an accredited college or university. You should also gain clinical experience by working as an intern at a hospital or clinic during your last two years of school.
To become certified as a medical technologist, you’ll need to complete an accredited program and pass certification exams offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). The certifying organization determines which specialties require additional training; however, most positions require only one year of experience plus certification exams in either anatomic pathology or clinical chemistry/hematology/molecular genetics/serology.
Aspiring medical technologists should be prepared to take responsibility for patients’ health care needs during their shift—this includes taking blood pressures. Find out more about how to become a medical laboratory scientist, medical technologist certification programs on this article.
How to become a medical technologist with a biology degree
Choose a program.
In order to become a medical technologist, you must first choose a program that is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Once you have chosen a program, you should take time to think about what interests you most in your field. If possible, look for programs that offer courses related to what interests you. For example, if you like blood work but are more interested in hematology than chemistry or immunology, look for programs that offer more advanced classes on blood work.
To make sure your education continues after high school and college—and gives you strong job prospects—consider choosing a program that offers internships and/or externships with local hospitals and laboratories. This will give employers another way of judging how well prepared their students are when applying for jobs after graduation! Also consider whether the program has flexible scheduling options such as online classes or distance learning options so they can adjust their schedule around other responsibilities like family life or part-time jobs while still getting an excellent education at affordable costs.”
Apply to the program.
The next step is applying to programs. It is important that you choose a program that is accredited, in your area, works with your schedule and budget and specializes in the area of interest. A good place to start looking for programs is at Medical Laboratory Education Consortium.
- Search for accredited programs near you:
- Search for programs with flexible scheduling options:
- Search for programs within your budget:
- Consider whether or not the program has job placement rates above 90%:
Apply for licensure.
Once you’ve finished your degree, it is time to apply for licensure. This is a requirement in every state except for California and Nevada. To get licensed, you will need to sit for an exam and submit fingerprints as part of the application process. Some states require that you have an internship before being able to take the test; others do not. The requirements vary by state and may change between the time this article is written and when you plan on becoming a medical technologist.
Becoming a medical technologist with a biology degree is difficult but rewarding.
Becoming a medical technologist with a biology degree is difficult but rewarding. The process of becoming a medical technologist requires extensive training and education, which can take anywhere from two to five years to complete. In order to become a certified medical technologist (CMT), you will need to pass the American Society for Clinical Pathology Medical Technologist (ASCP MT) exam, which consists of two parts: a written examination and an oral examination. Passing both parts of this test allows candidates to apply for registration with ASCP as either an associate or full member, depending on their level of experience. In addition, successful completion of certification exams provides an opportunity for advancement within the field by earning specialized certifications in various areas such as blood bank technician or cytotechnologist or pathologists’ assistant certification.
how to become a medical laboratory scientist
Common higher education requirements for medical laboratory scientist jobs include:
- Completing a bachelor’s degree in medical technology or clinical laboratory science. A bachelor’s degree in a science or health related field (e.g. chemistry or microbiology) may also be considered.
- Completing a clinical laboratory program or internship through a hospital-based program or as part of their education
- National certification as a medical technologist (MT), clinical laboratory scientist (CLS), or medical laboratory scientist (MLS)
- Previous experience in a health care setting
medical technologist certification programs
A medical technology degree is a requirement if you want to work in the field. You have two options to choose from: An associate or bachelor’s degree in medical technology.
Each medical technology degree has its benefits. Compare the differences to decide which one fits your goals.
Certificates and Diplomas
Certificate and diploma programs can last from a few weeks to a year. Courses are crafted in a way that students focus only on the medical technician career and building their skill set in a particular area.
Example of Phlebotomy Certificate Courses
Certificate and diploma programs cover a lot of territory in a short amount of time. As an example of course work for a phlebotomy program, Bunker Hill Community College offers the following classes:
- Phlebotomy Theory/Lab
- Communication Skills for Healthcare
- Medical Terminology
- Practicum seminar
In addition to these main courses, you’ll participate in a practicum and take basic computer or office administration courses.
Associate Degrees
An associate degree program, which takes about two years, will cover not only the medical technician specialization, but also provide a liberal arts education. So why choose a longer program over the certificate option?
If you think you may return to school at a later date to earn a bachelor’s degree to become a medical laboratory technologist, having the liberal arts background will save you time and money when you enroll in the undergraduate program.
The first year of study includes math, English, and introductory science courses (anatomy and chemistry). You’ll also delve into blood sample collection and body fluid analysis.
Here’s a look at other courses included in a medical technology program:
Medical Tech Courses for an Associate
- Hematology
- Microbiology
- Medical terminology
- Phlebotomy
- Medical lab procedures
- Clinical chemistry
- AIDS education
- Immunology
