Medical Technology

OCCUPATIONAL DESCRIPTION*: Laboratory tests play an important role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of many diseases. Medical technologists perform these tests in conjunction with pathologists (physicians who diagnose the causes and nature of disease) and other physicians, or scientists who specialize in clinical chemistry, microbiology, or the other biological sciences. Medical technologists develop data on the blood, tissues, and fluids in the human body by using a variety of precision instruments.

JOB DESCRIPTIONS*: In addition to the skills possessed by medical laboratory technicians, medical technologists perform complex analyses, fine line discrimination and correction of errors. They are able to recognize interdependency of tests and have knowledge of physiological conditions affecting test results in order to confirm these results and to develop data which may be used by a physician in determining the presence, extent, and, as far as possible, the cause of disease.

Medical technologists assume responsibility for, and are held accountable for, accurate results. They establish and monitor quality control programs and design or modify procedures as necessary. Tests and procedures performed or supervised by medical technologists in the clinical laboratory center on major areas of hematology, microbiology, immunohematology, immunology, clinical chemistry, and urinalysis.

EMPLOYMENT CHARACTERISTICS*: Most medical technologists are employed in hospital laboratories. The remainder are chiefly employed in physicians' private laboratories and clinics, by the armed forces, by city, state, and federal health agencies, in industrial medical laboratories, in pharmaceutical houses, in numerous public and private research programs dedicated to the study of specific diseases, and as faculty of accredited programs preparing medical laboratory personnel.

*Allied Health Education Directory, Department of Allied Health Education and Accrediatation, American Medical Association, Order Department OP-182, P. O. Box 10946, Chicago, IL 60610.

Selected Southeastern Programs

Curriculum Planning

OPTION 1: Attend Furman for 2 years taking a course schedule as shown. After the sophomore year transfer to a school of Allied Health. Following an additional 2 years of study, the latter institution will grant the BS degree.

OPTION II: Attend Furman for 3 years (96 semester hours of courses) and complete the 4th year in a 12-month certificate program at an accredited medical technology program in a hospital. Furman would grant a BS degree following completion of the certification program.

OPTION III: Attend Furman for 4 years to receive the BS degree and to be eligible to apply to any school of medical technology. Emory’s program admits only those who already have a degree.

Clinical Laboratory Science

The Medical University of South Carolina now offers a Master of Science in Clinical Laboratory Medicine. There are two options, Medical Technology and Cytotechnology. The emphasis is on clinical laboratory science, management, and research. The program runs for 5 semesters. One can enter the program having had the courses shown in option II, or one can stay at Furman for 4 years and get a BS before entering the program (Option III). With Option III one should consider taking courses in Computer Science, Immunology, Histology, Microbiology, Accounting and Physics.

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