Medical Technologist

Medical technologists, also known as clinical laboratory scientists, analyze human blood, tissues, and body fluids and supervise the performance of thousands of medical laboratory tests. Medical technologists exercise independent judgment, correlate test results, and interpret the findings. Physicians depend on these professionals to produce reliable and valid results that may be used in determining the presence, extent, and possible cause of disease.

Work Environment
Most medical technologists work in hospital laboratories. Others work in independent laboratories, reference laboratories, clinics, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), public health agencies, pharmaceutical firms, research institutions, scientific equipment companies, blood donor centers, physician offices, and as teachers in college clinical laboratory science programs.

Job Outlook
The rapidly growing older population will spur demand for medical technologists, since older people generally have more medical problems. However, advances in laboratory automation and more simplified tests will make it possible for fewer workers to perform more tests, thus slowing the growth in the field.

Length of Training/
Requirements

Bachelor's degree programs in medical technology require four years of college education, including one year of clinical laboratory education and experience in an accredited health facility.

Salary
Salary depends on education, geography, job setting, and experience. Current salaries range from $28,000 - $45,000.

Educational Programs
Angelo State University
Baylor College of Medicine
East Texas Baptist University
Houston Baptist University
University of the Incarnate Word College
Lamar University
LeTorneau University

Midwestern State University
Our Lady of the Lake University
Howard Payne University
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
The Methodist Hospital
Prairie View A&M University Sam Houston State University
Southwest Texas State University
Southwestern Adventist University
Stephen F. Austin State University
Tarleton State University
Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Texas Christian University
Texas Southern University
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Texas Woman's University
University of Houston
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
University of North Texas
The University of Texas at Arlington
The University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at El Paso
The University of Texas at San Antonio
The University of Texas at Tyler
The University of Texas Health Science Center - Houston
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
The University of Texas Pan American at Edinburg
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
West Texas A&M University

Professional Associations
American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
7910 Woodmont Ave., Ste. 530
Bethesda, MD 20814
301/657-2768

American Society of Clinical Pathologists Board of Registry
2100 W. Harrison St.
Chicago, IL 60612-3798
312/738-1336
Fax: 312/738-5800

Texas Association for Clinical Laboratory Science
P.O. Box 464
Edinburg, TX 78540-0474
956/632-4258

Texas Department of Health
1100 West 49th St.
Austin, TX 78756-3183
512/834-6602



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