Online Medical Technologist Training Programs

Medical technologists or MTs work in hands-on laboratories.

Here is where these scientists operate, so to speak, on the workforce front.

In order to become a medical technologist, you must complete professional training.

This training focuses on biology and chemistry, as well as other sciences related to the medical industry.

What Courses Are in an Online Medical Technologist Training Program?

There are several courses for online medical technologist training that should be included with any training program.

In order to fully understand the job tasks as a medical technologist, look for a program offering:

• AIDS education
• Biostatistics
• Biotechnology
• Clinical chemistry
• Communication skills for the healthcare industry
• Genetics
• Hematology
• Immunology
• Medical ethics
• Medical lab procedures
• Medical terminology
• Microbiology
• Mycology aka the study of fungi
• Phlebotomy theory
• Phlebotomy lab
• Practicum seminar

The goal of a medical technologist is to draw fluid and tissue samples, such as premarital blood tests or AIDS tests, in a laboratory setting.

A medical technologist studies how to properly conduct these tests and must have hands-on clinical experience for certification.

Can You Earn a Medical Technologist Training Degree Completely Online?

Online training and coursework can include all of the classes and lessons needed for certifying as an MT.

However, to complete a degree in medical technologist training, students must have some in-person clinical training.

So, while you can earn a medical technologist training certificate completely online, you will have to complete some training in person in order to be certified.

A paper certificate is one step; getting certification by passing a board exam is another area that must be completed.

In order to apply for certification examinations by a board, students of medical technologist training must have some in-person experience.

How Long Does it Take to Earn a Medical Technologist Degree Online?

It typically takes four years to become a medical technologist and this includes the coursework needed to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Therefore, most likely the program will take four years in most cases.

Additional training for specialized certification exams is also needed.

This type of training will take anywhere from a few months to two years for most training opportunities available for MT students online.

How Much Does Online Medical Technologist Training Cost?

A bachelor’s degree is a formal four-year program at any college and the price will vary.

You can anticipate the cost of tuition being more affordable if you stay within your home state.

If you go to an online medical technologist training program, you are able to cut some costs associated with attending the program.

Online training through colleges is encouraging more students to complete certificates that can be a lot more affordable.

However, to get a four-year degree as a medical technologist, expect to pay tuition and associated fees with attending any particular school.

Even online training has costs if you expect to earn a degree.

Benefits of Online Medical Technologist Training Programs

Pay is Good for Medical Jobs

The salary for a medical technologist is about $57,800 a year, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

This ranges at about $27.79 an hour for the median pay, as of 2021.

For most entry-level medical care technician jobs, this is a good starting salary.

Additionally, thanks to specializations, you have plenty of areas to earn more money based on your expertise.

Since you are not paying as much for in-person traditional schooling for the majority of your training, you save money upfront on training costs.

Potential for Advancement in Specialization

This points out the next benefit of online medical technologist training.

You can advance and become specialized in a wide range of areas.

For those individuals who are concerned about being pigeon-holed into a career pathway, this takes away that pinch.

Finding a new area to train and learn about as a medical technologist allows for ample opportunities throughout one’s career.

Working With Latest Medical Issues

If you are someone who likes to know about what’s going on in the healthcare and medical industry, consider a career as a medical technologist.

Technology is the latest advancement in all industries–especially in medical care–and this job puts you on the front lines of that progress.

Find out what is happening behind the scenes with treatments and illnesses, and understand these from a professional perspective.

Drawbacks of Online Medical Technologist Training Programs

Risk of Personal Injury in Externships

When you are in an online program for medical technologist training, there will be an in-person component to the training program.

This is called an externship, and it is required that you have a minimum number of contact hours as part of your training.

Therefore, you will have to get your hands dirty, quite literally, and you might be injured in the process.

Not something you want to hear, but it is important that you are aware of the job risks associated with being a health care professional and a medical technologist–even if you attend training online.

Inaccurate Information for Modern Medical Technologists

As the field of modern medical technology advances quite rapidly, there is the risk that the program you attend for online training is not up to par.

You may be behind on some areas of information and need additional training to get where you want to be professional.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Online Medical Technologist Training Programs – Summary Table

Types of Medical Technologist Training Specializations

To get hired as a medical technologist, consider getting trained and certified in a certain specialization.

The most common medical technologist specializations you can train and work at include:

• Anesthesia technician and the ASATT certification
• Audiologist
• Cardiovascular technologist
• Cytotechnologist
• Dental assistant
• Dental lab technician
• Diagnostic medical sonographer
• Dialysis technician and CHT, CHBT, and CCHT programs for certification
• Emergency medical technician (EMT)
• Histotechnologist
• Kinesiologist
• Medical assistant
• Medical lab assistant
• Medical lab technician and American Medical Technologists (AMT) certification
• Neurodiagnostic technologist
• Ophthalmic technician
• Paramedic
• Pharmacy technician and CPhT programs for certification
• Phlebotomist
• Physical therapist (PT) aide
• Physical therapist assistant (PTA)
• Radiation therapist
• Radiologic technologist
• Respiratory therapist
• A speech-language pathologist (SLP) and CCC-SLP certification
• Surgical technologist

Each of these positions is medical care worker that specializes in the use of tools and technology to diagnose and monitor patient health.

Types of Medical Technologist Training Certifications

Choose one of these specializations and earn a certificate in the associated field, such as radiologic technology or kinesiology.

If you are interested in earning a certificate as a radiologist, start with the certification exam by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

Start with the US association associated with the specialization track you are headed down in your career.

This will lead you in the right direction by pursuing the right certification as a medical technologist.

American Medical Technologists (AMT) Certifications

American Medical Technologists (AMT) is a leading resource for medical technologist certifications.

Along with medical technologist (MT) certification, the AMT also offers certification in specialized areas including:

• Allied health instructor (AHI)
• Certified laboratory consultant (CLC)
• Dental assistant (RDA)
• Medical administrative specialist (CMAS)
• Medical assistant (RMA)
• Medical laboratory assistant (CMLA)
• Medical laboratory technician (MLT)
• Molecular diagnostics technologist (MDT)
• Patient care technician (PCT)
• Phlebotomy technician (RPT)

As you get certified by the AMT for MT, include another training and specialty in your sights.

You can easily advance your career in the healthcare industry in this manner.

Medical Laboratory Scientist Certification

Medical laboratory scientist certifications aka MLS (ASCP) certification are also beneficial to individuals interested in becoming medical technologists.

These are nationally recognized certifications that focus on the laboratory workplace.

If you have the MLS (ASCP) certification, you do not have to be specialized in one of the previously listed technologists and technician tracks.

With the MLS (ASCP) certification, you can start with entry-level work in the medical technologist industry.

From here, you will gain the insight and information you need to go for advanced degrees and programs to become specialized as a certain type of medical technologist.

Other National Accreditation Agencies for MT Certification

Two more agencies to check with for MT certification in the US are nationally recognized.

These include the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

4 Self-Study Tips for Medical Technologist Training Online Students

Maintain Healthy Reading Habits

The biggest portion of study time for medical technologist training students is spent reading.

To be able to maximize your reading time, schedule big chunks of reading throughout the month.

Decide ahead of time how much you will read every day and weekly, and budget according to the rest of your study schedule.

For example, on days when you have other activities to work on and cannot read as much, be kind to yourself and stay light on those days.

This way, you will not be overwhelmed with reading the same amount every day no matter what.

And you can still cover all the material you need in the allotted amount of time.

Gather Transcripts and Externship Letters for Certification

To apply for the MLT (ASCP) exam, students must have college transcripts or certifications from a training program.

This is required to verify education.

To verify experience, MLTs must present documentation supporting clinical laboratory experience.

Examples include letters from professors or externship reports approved by a lab.

Students will need these upon graduating from an MLT program.

Therefore, it is timely to start collecting documents needed for applying to the ASCP BOC certification exam as soon as these are received.

This will ease up the time spent trying to apply to the exam.

Wear Blue Light Blocking Glasses

Since you are attending online classes most of the time as a medical technologist, prepare for blue light blocking with computer classes.

Made with a yellow-tinted frame, these blue light glasses will protect your vision while working on the computer for training.

Make In-Person Study Plans With Others

Find others in your city or community who are studying medical technologists or similar areas of training.

If you are all online studying, chances are you will find other students in online forums or on social media where you can connect.

Then make plans to host informal cafe meetups with other MT students.

This will help you establish networks, increase productivity, and learn more about the local job market.

Summary

Now that you are ready to begin your career as a medical technologist, you have all of the information at your fingertips for success.

Start with online training and save time and money with certification practice.

Once you have completed an online training program and have a certificate, choose a degree program for MT students.

You will soon be in an externship and gaining valuable clinical hours as a new medical technologist.