The medical field is much more than doctors and nurses taking care of the patients because there’s a complete health care team that supports them, and medical technologists are indeed an important part of that team.
Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLT), also known as clinical laboratory scientists, work in the lab with microscopes and other instruments to test body fluids and tissue samples for many purposes that will help doctors and nurses give better treatment.
These healthcare professionals can work in many different areas like immunology, microbiology, genetics, toxicology, and more, so with the importance, they have inside the healthcare team, a medical technologist school will be key in the process of giving them all the knowledge they need for the job.
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Cost Average
- Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Technologist: $8,000 – $58,000
What Is A Medical Technologist?
A medical technologist is a healthcare professional who collects samples of blood, bodily fluids, and tissue for medical purposes, typically to get them analyzed.
They work closely with doctors and nurses to help provide the best care to patients and help doctors diagnose illnesses.
There are different types of medical technologists depending on the area they work in, like blood bank technologists, clinical chemical technologists, cytotechnologists, and immunology technologists.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statics, for medical technologists, the median annual wage was $57,80 per year or $27.79 per hour in May 2021.
What Are The Responsibilities/Duties Of A Medical Technologist?
According to VocationalTrainingHQ.com, the major duties and responsibilities of a medical technologist include:
- Analyzing bodily fluids, blood, urine, and tissue samples.
- Studying blood samples to determine the type.
- Operating laboratory equipment.
- Using computers.
- Logging data and medical tests, providing results for doctors.
- Discuss the results and findings of tests with other medical staff.
What Are The Costs Of Medical Technologist Programs?
The cost of a medical technologist program can vary depending on the type of school you choose if you are an in-state resident or out-state student, and the state where the school is located.
To become a medical technologist it’s required to get a four-year bachelor’s degree, which can cost from $8,000 to $58,000.
Extra Expenses
- Some states require you to get a license in order to practice, including California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
- Different organizations provide certifications to work as a medical technologist, and the most popular choice is the Board of Certification of the American Society for Clinical Pathology, but the American Medical Technologist certification is also accepted.
- The American Society of Clinical Pathology offers several certifications for Medical Technologists, which cost around $240, as well as The American Medical Technologist association, which costs $200.
- Textbooks, uniforms, mandatory medical tests, and drug screening cost about $1,200.
What Are The Best Schools That Offer Medical Technologist Programs?
People looking for a medical technology program have to verify the program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAA-CLS), which provides a list of accredited programs.
The top three medical technology schools are Ohio State University, the University of North Dakota, and the University of Washington in Seattle; and other schools accredited by the NAA-CLS are:
| COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY | INSTITUTION, TYPE | LOCATION | ESTIMATED UNDERGRAD IN-STATE TUITION |
| Boston University | 4-year, Private | Boston, MA | $54,000 |
| Drexel University | 4-year, Private | Philadelphia, PA | $53,000 |
| Michigan State University | 4-year, Public | East Lansing, MI | $14,500 |
| Rutgers University – New Brunswick | 4-year, Public | New Brunswick, NJ | $15,000 |
| Thomas University | 4-year, Private | Thomasville, GA | $17,000 |
| Quinnipiac University | 4-year, Private | Hamden, CT | $48,000 |
| University of Missouri – Columbia | 4-year, Public | Columbia, MO | $10,000 |
| Auburn University | 4-year, Public | Auburn University, AL | $11,000 |
| Converse College | 4-year, Private | Spartanburg, SC | $18,000 |
