How to Become a Medical Technician

Medical technicians are integral members of a health care team, and they work closely with physicians and other clinical staff to contribute to the overall care and treatment of patients. These medical professionals can work both with patients and in a laboratory setting, where they use a range of skills to perform essential job duties.

If you're interested in becoming a medical technician, there are several steps you can take to get there. In this article, we'll discuss what medical technicians do, how to become a medical technician and additional information about this career field so you can decide if it's the right choice for you.

What is a Medical Technician?

Medical technicians are the professionals who work with laboratory technicians to assist in the preparation, examination and analysis of lab samples and specimens. Additionally, you can choose to specialize in a specific concentration for medical technicians, where you can find positions as a phlebotomist or even as a surgical technician.

What do Medical Technicians do?

Medical technicians assist with medical diagnosis through the collection and testing of samples in a laboratory environment. These medical professionals take samples of blood, tissue and bodily fluids and test them for the presence of bacteria, viruses or other infections and diseases and provide the results to physicians and nurses. Other common job duties medical technicians are responsible for include:

•Drawing blood and taking medical samples for laboratory testing

•Studying blood transfusion samples

•Analyzing test results and recording data for physicians

•Assisting physicians and nurses with protective equipment

•Using medical equipment to draw blood and take samples of tissue or bodily fluid

•Testing the chemical content of lab samples for disease, pathogens or drugs and alcohol

•Observing patient vital signs and recording medical history for physicians

The job duties of medical technicians can go beyond these common responsibilities, especially for medical techs that focus their careers on phlebotomy, where the job duties focus on drawing blood and testing blood samples. Surgical technicians may also take on additional duties, especially when assisting physicians and surgeons in the operating room.

How to become a Medical Technician

Generally, most medical technicians complete an associate degree, however, there are certification programs available, too. The following steps provide the two paths to take to become a medical technician:

1. Complete post-secondary training

There are accredited certification programs available at many community colleges and vocational schools, and these training programs can prepare you for a career as a medical technician. The common timeframe of a certification program can vary from school to school, but these educational programs generally take anywhere from six to 12 months to complete. This means you can enter your career sooner than if you pursue an associate's degree.

2. Earn your associate's degree

The other option you have to start your career is to earn an associate's degree from an accredited college. In a medical technician education program, coursework can include studies in anatomy and physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, phlebotomy and immunology. After graduating with your associate's, you'll be able to enter your career.

3. Obtain your certification

Medical technicians must obtain certification to work in a clinical lab setting. Depending on your state's specific requirements, you may need to obtain state licensure to enter your career, too. The National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel offers the Clinical Laboratory Technician (CLT) credential, which show cases your knowledge and expertise and qualifies you for work as a medical lab technician.

Additionally, the American Society for Clinical Pathology provides the Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLT) certification, which also signified your qualifications as a medical technician.

4. Gain work experience

You can start your career after obtaining your educational certification or associate's degree and your medical technician license. As you gain experience as a medical technician, you'll have opportunities for career advancement.

For instance, many medical technicians gain work experience in the field and then continue their education to become medical technologists, surgical technologists or histotechnicians (medical technicians who work strictly in the laboratory).

5. Advance your career

You can pursue your bachelor's degree in the field, which will qualify you to become a medical technologist, where you'll work closely with other technicians in supervisory roles within a clinical laboratory. Additionally, if you pursue a certification program, you can continue your education through obtaining your associate's or through accelerated programs so you can advance your career.

Frequently asked questions about becoming a medical technician

The following frequently asked questions about becoming a medical technician can provide additional insight into the career field:

What skills will I develop during my medical technician training?

Medical technologists develop a wide range of skills and knowledge that contribute to their career success. In a medical technician educational program, you'll likely learn to apply research and analysis, your critical thinking and writing skills and technical skills that will enable you to navigate your job duties in the lab.

Additionally, specific medical skills such as working with medical equipment, interacting with patients and healthcare teams and running laboratory tests will also be part of your training and development.

Where can I find a job as a medical technician?

Medical technicians work in a variety of clinical settings, but hospitals are the most common places of employment for medical techs. You may also find positions in outpatient surgery centers if you pursue a career as a surgery tech, and you can also find available career opportunities working for private clinics and physicians' practices.

What is the work environment like for medical technicians?

Medical technicians generally work full-time schedules, sometimes putting in extra time to finalize test results, record information and share data with physicians. Additionally, medical technicians who work specifically in phlebotomy will spend much of their time on drawing blood and preparing samples for lab analysis, while histotechnicians primarily perform laboratory tests and analysis in the lab.

The job can be demanding and fast-paced, especially in a hospital setting where medical techs may perform multiple tests and sample analyses every day.

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