In Virginia, medical technologists are described as those trained to perform "complex medical laboratory tests for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease." They may also train or supervise others. The Commonwealth of Virginia says medical technologist positions fall into three categories: health care technologist II, health care technologist III and health care manager. Medical technologists are also known as medical technicians, clinical laboratory technologists, clinical laboratory scientists and medical laboratory technicians, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The Virginia Area Health Education Centers Program provides a listing of local schools with medical technology programs. For example, Old Dominion University's College of Health Sciences in Norfolk, Virginia, offers both a bachelor of science and a master's degree in medical technology, and it says it is the oldest health science program at the school. Other programs offer an associate of applied sciences or a certificate, including Thomas Nelson Community College in Hampton, Virginia, which offers a certificate in medical laboratory technology. No matter the level of degree, classes focus on biology, statistics and other health-related disciplines. Four-year programs usually involve three years in class and one year in clinic duty.
National organizations, such as American Medical Technologists (AMT), certify medical technologists. The AMT has a Virginia State Society. As of May 2010, Virginia did not require licensure. Some technologists go on to medical school.
Medical technologists perform many types of tests, including biological, chemical, immunologic, bacterial and hematological. Most medical technologists train in general areas but can go on to get more education in specialties. Clinical chemistry is one field in which medical technologists can specialize. They train to prepare specimens and analyze its hormonal and chemical components. Other sub-specialties include hematology, in vitro fertilization (IVF), genetics and electron microscopy. Technologists usually perform more complex procedures than technicians, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Graduates of medical technology programs, either in Virginia or elsewhere, can find work in the state in hospital and diagnostic laboratories, doctors' offices, universities, medical groups, public health and environmental laboratories, research, pharmaceutical companies, molecular diagnostic laboratories and the armed forces. The field is changing, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, because of computer technology, making the work "less hands-on and more analytical."