Medical Technology

What is Medical Technology?
A Medical Technologist (or Clinical Laboratory Scientist) is a highly skilled laboratory scientist who performs chemical, hematological, immunological, microscopic and microbiological tests for the diagnosis and monitoring of diseases. These may include chemical tests to determine a patient's blood glucose or cholesterol level or examinations of patient samples to detect the presence of infections or other disorders.

Medical Technologists microscopically examine blood and other body substances; make cultures of body fluids or other samples to determine the presence of bacteria, fungi, parasites, or other micro-organisms; and analyze samples for chemical content or reaction. Medical Technologists also type and cross-match blood samples for blood transfusions. They analyze biochemical parameters, cellular elements of blood and body fluids, infectious microbes and immune responses to produce valid and reliable patient test results. Test results, in turn, provide other health professionals with information that is crucial for the diagnosis of diseases, management of patient therapy and maintenance of health. Medical Technologists represent a vital and integral part of the healthcare team.

Jefferson's Medical Technology Program
One distinctive advantage of attending Jefferson is the environment created by the College's connection with other components of Thomas Jefferson University. Virtually every facet of health care - basic science research, cancer treatment, biomedical research, primary care, nursing care, trauma care - are represented within the University system.

Students acquire the broadest possible exposure to the diverse career options available for the skilled laboratory technologist. This expansive view of professional possibilities helps our students to carve out unique roles for themselves in both traditional and non-traditional laboratory science careers. Equally important, the curriculum of each medical technology program option is designed to foster independent thought, teamwork and the ability to take responsibility for crucial diagnostic decisions that affect the lives of patients. At Jefferson, you will learn to connect the technology of your profession with its importance in the lives of people.

Description of Jefferson's Medical Technology Program
Students learn:

1. Clinical chemistry
2. Normal and abnormal hematology and serology
3. Immunohematology (also called blood banking or transfusion medicine)
4. Clinical microbiology, including parasitology, virology, bacteriology
5. Research theory and quality control principles for clinical laboratory procedures.

Students practice and learn using state-of-the-art computerized instrumentation and gain a solid understanding of the principles of professional practice, laboratory outcomes management and laboratory administration.

Jefferson's student laboratories offer the very latest testing and communications technology, so that you learn on the equipment that you will be using when you enter the working world.

Clinical rotations at a variety of laboratory settings in and around Philadelphia help students discover the many facets of the field open to well-prepared practitioners.

After Graduation
According to the Department of Labor, the employment outlook for medical technologists is expected to grow more than the average for all occupations through the year 2010, with 43,000 additional jobs opening up during the next decade. Salaries, too, are on the rise. Many labs are now offering sign-on bonuses and very attractive benefit programs.

Certification
National certification is proof that a certain level of knowledge and competence in the field has been attained. Employers seek certified individuals because they know that people with professional credentials can be counted on for the value-added expertise that is in such high demand today. Medical Technology graduates are eligible to take the Medical Technologist (MT) examination of the Board of Registry of the American Society for Clinical Pathology and/or the Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) examination offered by the National Certification Agency for Medical Laboratory Personnel.

Career Options

• Clinical Staff Positions
  • Medical Technologist Generalist
  • Clinical Chemistry Technologist
  • Immunohematologist
  • Immunology Technologist
  • Microbiology Technologist
  • Research Assistant/Associate
  • Forensic Medicine Laboratory Technologist
  • Veterinary Laboratory Staff Technologist
  • Hematology Technologist
• Non-Clinical Positions
  • Government Inspector
  • Quality Assurance Specialist
  • Sales or Technical Representative
  • Customer Service Representative
  • Information Systems Specialist
• Leadership and Management Positions
  • Laboratory Supervisor and Manager
  • Department Manager
  • College and University Faculty
• Administrative Positions
  • Hospital Administrator
  • Marketing and Sales Manager
  • Technical Administrator
  • Training Manager

….and Where Can You Work?

• Labs in Hospitals or Physician Offices
• Medical & Academic Health Centers
• Colleges and Universities
• Medical Equipment Companies
• Commercial Clinical Laboratories
• Federal & State Government Agencies
• Biotech & Pharmaceutical Research Labs
• Computer & Information Systems Companies
• …and much more!

Go to Descriptions of the Professions
Go to Academic Programs