Medical Technologist
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MEDICAL TECHNOLOGISTS help in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease by doing chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, bacteriological, and microscopic tests. They analyze body fluids, tissues, and cells. They look for bacteria, parasites, and other micro-organisms; analyze the chemical content of fluids; match blood for transfusions; and test for drug levels in the blood to show how a patient is responding to treatment. They determine blood glucose and cholesterol levels. They perform complex genetic testing on cell samples. They analyze the results and relay them to the physicians.
Salary, Size & Growth
- $55,500 average per year ($26.75 per hour)
- A large occupation (164,400 workers in 2010)
- Expected to grow moderately (1.2% per year)
Entry Requirements
Entry-level MEDICAL TECHNOLOGISTS usually have a bachelor's degree with a major in medical technology, or a life science, offered by universities and hospitals. Courses include chemistry, biology, microbiology, math, statistics, and special courses on knowledge and skills used in a clinical lab. Many programs offer courses in management and computer applications. Master's degrees provide training for specialized areas of lab work or teaching, administration, and computer applications. Some states require medical technologists to be licensed or registered.