Medical Technology Information

What is Medical Technology?

Medical Technologists are highly skilled laboratory scientists who perform and evaluate laboratory procedures using a variety of sophisticated instruments. They perform, supervise and provide consultation for laboratory analyses on blood and various body fluids to obtain data on which a diagnosis is made and appropriate therapy initiated. The major disciplines in laboratory science are:

• Hematology
• Immunohematology (blood banking)
• Microbiology
• Clinical Chemistry
• Immunology
• Urinalysis
• Mycology
• Parasitology

An individual may specialize in one of these disciplines or remain a generalist, depending on the type of laboratory and the needs of the facility in which they are employed. A career in medical technology provides opportunities for work that are both personally rewarding and challenging.

As cost consciousness in health care delivery has increased, Medical Technologists have become increasingly valuable to the health care system. This is because Medical Technologists are knowledgeable about cost effective ways to deliver quality care and are trained to make the kinds of decisions that make effective lab services possible. Medical Technologists assume positions of increasing responsibility in clinical laboratories and within institution management structure. Their functions include managing the laboratory and directing the work of others performing complex laboratory analyses and making judgments about the quality of laboratory results before they are reported. Medical technologists must be experts in clinical laboratory science as well as in the administrative and managerial functions necessary to ensure the effective operation of clinical laboratory services.

What are the educational requirements?
Minimum requirements for becoming a medical technologists include satisfactory completion of two years of pre-professional college work, including certain prescribed courses. Students may then be admitted to a two-year professional program approved the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). High school students can prepare for a career in medical technology by taking courses in physical and biological sciences, along with other college preparatory courses.

What are the personal qualifications?

	Medical technologists… are fascinated by science are problem solvers like challenge and responsibility are accurate and reliable enjoy a fast-paced environment communicate well set high standards for themselves want to help others
	Career Opportunities Career opportunities are numerous in… Hospital and private laboratories Biotechnology industry Research and forensic laboratories Public Health Sales and lab product development Management Higher education Pharmaceutical companies Armed forces Histocompatibility Molecular Diagnostics

Licensure and Certification
Graduates of programs in Medical Technology approved by (NAACLS) are eligible to take certification examinations given by several certifying agencies. Individuals certified by the Board of Registry of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) are recognized as professional Medical Technologists by the designation MT after their names. Those certified by the National Certification Agency for Medical laboratory Personnel are designated Clinical Laboratory Scientists (CLS).

A Tennessee state license is required to practice medical technology in Tennessee. In order to obtain a Tennessee state license, one must provide evidence of having passed a national certification examination.

To obtain more information on obtaining a Tennessee state license for medical technology write or call:

Tennessee State Department of Health
Medical Laboratory Board
First Floor Cordell Hull Building
425 5th Avenue North
Nashville, Tennessee 37247-1010
888.310.4650

www.health.state.tn.us/Boards/MedLab/index.htm

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