Discover More about Becoming a Medical Technician

What does a Medical Technician do?

Medical technicians aid in medical diagnosis by performing laboratory tests for physicians and hospitals. They may test blood, bodily fluids and tissue samples for the presence of bacteria, viruses or diseases and provide the results to doctors. They also may specialize in working in a hospital department where they assist physicians and patients in surgery or other medical procedures.

The day-to-day responsibilities of a medical technician usually include:

•Organizing and sanitizing the lab in preparation for collection and testing

•Understanding and using sensitive and complicated testing equipment, including computers, microscopes, cell counters, analyzers and centrifuges

•Receiving and cataloging medical samples for testing, with attention to organizational systems and privacy and safety regulations

•Preparing specimens for testing

•Performing specialized tasks such as phlebotomy, urinalysis or blood typing

•Drawing blood for testing or donation

•Assisting physicians with equipment in surgical rooms and sample collection for medical testing

Medical Technician Requirements

To work as a medical technician, you must meet a certain level of education, certification and training, as well as demonstrate specialized skills.

Education

Most employers seek candidates with a two-year associate degree or a certificate from an accredited community college or university. Coursework for these programs should include chemistry, biology, laboratory sciences and microbiology. A significant part of the coursework involves specimen collection and proper handling, testing and analysis in an educational lab.

Some specialties, such as Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), only require a high school diploma or an equivalent to enroll in a specialized training program.

Medical technicians who wish to pursue higher positions in a medical or laboratory setting can earn bachelor’s degrees. Obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Laboratory Sciences or Medical Laboratory Technology can help an individual find employment as a medical technologist. Some universities accept associate degree coursework in a related field to reduce the length of a bachelor’s program.

Training

Medical technicians often work under the supervision and guidance of a medical technologist. Within each hospital or doctor’s office, training will involve the facility’s specific practices and guidelines for meeting safety and health regulations. A medical technician may receive additional on-the-job training to specialize in certain processes and procedures.

As the medical field continuously changes, medical technicians should maintain current knowledge of best practices. They can read medical journals or blogs, complete online courses or attend webinars to continue learning about their field.

Certifications

Though licensing may not be an employment requirement in every region, medical technicians can pursue certification through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). The ASCP offers six certifications for medical technicians—Apheresis Technician, Donor Phlebotomy Technician, Histotechnician, Medical Laboratory Assistant, Medical Laboratory Technician and Phlebotomy Technician. Each credential offers different requirements options to make candidates eligible for the exam. Each certification requires medical technologists to submit a renewal application every three years.

Other specialized programs have their own boards of certification. EMTs, for example, must earn a certification through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT).

Cardiovascular medical technicians need a certification after additional secondary education at an institution accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Professionals (CAAHEP). These technicians need to pass an exam administered by the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) or the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS).

Skills

Medical technicians should have certain skills and qualities to excel in their roles, including:

Scientific fluency

Medical technicians should have a well-rounded education in sciences, such as biology, chemistry and anatomy, and be familiar with the procedures, terminology and processes used in a diagnostic lab.

Interpersonal skills

Medical technicians often with other medical and laboratory professionals to deliver quick and accurate results. Interpersonal skills allow them to communicate effectively when they need to gain or deliver information.

Familiarity with lab equipment

Lab tests require specialized equipment to collect, prepare and test samples. Medical technicians should be familiar with most standard equipment and be adaptable to learning how to operate different tools and machines.

Organization

As medical technicians often, manage many different tests at the same time. The ability to keep samples and results organized ensures they can deliver the right data to the right physician.

Emotional intelligence

For any medical technician job, compassion for the patients is important. Emotional intelligence allows a medical technician to handle sensitive information carefully to respect patients.

Medical Technician work environment

Depending on the medical facility, medical technicians may expect variations in the work environment. Here are some aspects of the medical technician environment that are typically similar in all industries:

•Working in a specimen testing lab, a blood draw lab or a specialized patient clinic

•Performing duties during scheduled shifts on a 24-hour cycle, particularly in hospitals

•Wearing protective clothing, including gloves, masks, surgical caps, close-toed shoes and scrubs

•Working with potentially hazardous materials

•Complying with safety and medical privacy regulations

•Working and collaborating with a variety of other healthcare professionals and sometimes patients

•Repeating similar tasks throughout the day

•Standing or moving for extended periods

Medical technicians may find employment in hospitals, clinics, private practices or other healthcare facilities.

How to become a Medical Technician

If you want to become a medical technician, you can follow these steps:

1. Earn a high school diploma

You will need a high school diploma or the equivalent to enroll at a college or university to pursue an associate degree. During high school, it can be helpful to focus on coursework in biology, anatomy, chemistry and other science courses.

2. Seek post-secondary education

To find employment as a medical technologist, you need an associate degree in a relevant field. You can also continue your education with a bachelor’s degree in a related scientific field, which prepares you for advancement to a medical technologist.

3. Consider if you would like to specialize

As you complete your coursework and hands-on training, determine if you enjoy one aspect of your education over another. If you demonstrate an aptitude for drawing blood, for example, you may consider a job as a phlebotomy technician. If you are more analytical and enjoy testing samples with distinct results, a job in a lab may be the best fit for you. If you want to specialize, you may need to earn a certification to demonstrate your knowledge and dedication to the specific area.

4. Apply for jobs

You can find a job as a medical technician in a variety of industries and environments. Review job descriptions to choose jobs that match your education and experience level. You should also ensure that the schedule meets your needs. When applying, consider tailoring your resume and cover letter to each job to help you stand out from other candidates. Identify keywords in the job posting that you may add to your application materials to attract the hiring manager’s interest.

Medical Technician job description example

We are seeking a highly motivated, experienced and knowledgeable medical technician for our growing laboratory. You will be responsible for receiving, preparing and testing specimens for analysis in our lab. Tasks may include the following:

•Collect blood, urine, tissue and other bodily fluid samples from patients

•Receive and prepare samples for testing and analysis

•Process and record test results into medical records database

•Adhere to strict medical safety and patient confidentiality practices and regulations, including wearing protective gloves and eyewear

The ideal candidate will have an associate degree from an accredited college and at least three years’ experience in the field.

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