How to Get Qualified As a Medical Technologist
There were over 319,000 medical technologists -- also called clinical laboratory technologists -- working in the U.S., according to the trade group American Medical Technologists. Medical technologists work in settings as varied as hospital labs, freestanding research facilities and for-profit laboratory testing centers. To work as a medical technologist, you must complete specific requirements; qualification by national certification organizations involves specific steps.
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Instructions
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Complete an accredited degree program. High school graduates or those holding a general equivalency diploma may apply to an accredited four-year degree program in medical technology. Although exact specifics of degree programs vary with each college that offers a medical technology program, coursework generally focuses on biology, chemistry, molecular biochemistry, statistics, extensive laboratory sessions and a hands-on clinical internship.
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Select the qualifying organization. There are two main certification organizations that offer qualifications for medical technologists. American Medical Technologists offer the MT (AMT) qualification; the American Society for Clinical Pathology offers MT (ASCP) QCYM, MT(ASCP) QIHC and MT (ASCP) QLI qualifications, representing specialty qualification in cytometry, immunohistochemistry and laboratory informatics, respectively. The differences between the two organizations' qualifications are solely dependent on how specialized you would like to be. Qualification by either AMT or ASCP has similar value -- one qualification is more general and the other is specialized.
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Apply to take the appropriate examination. No matter which organization or qualification you select, you will need to apply to sit for the exam, which includes providing proof of education and work experience and payment of the examination fee. The type and amount of information you will need to provide as part of your application pack will depend on whether you choose a general qualification or a specialized one.
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Take and pass the examination. Both AMT and ASCP offer a system where you schedule a test date after review and approval of your application. Testing centers in your community or a nearby community that work with the qualifying organization offer computerized tests during a variety of time slots throughout each week. Scores and -- if you pass -- qualifying certificates appear in your mailbox within a matter of weeks.
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