As part of the overall medical team, a medical technologist provides patient care via an array of laboratory analyses and procedures in such areas as clinical chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology and urinalysis. Jobs for medical technologists exist in hospital laboratories, research labs, government, universities, public schools and branches of the military. The study of medical technology encompasses a variety of technical specialties within the field of medicine, and students study such areas as anatomy, pathology and physiology before moving toward a more specialized field.
The website USCollegeSearch.org lists more than 1,900 schools that offer medical technology programs, so finding the right school depends on a variety of factors, including location, specific interests and career goals. Many other on-line resources can help guide this search, although an excellent place to start is with American Medical Technologists, an organization that claims more than 45,000 members in a variety of specializations within the medical technology field.
As in many areas of study, it's also possible to earn a degree in medical technology from an on-line school. Numerous schools throughout the United States and Canada offer on-line degrees, so it's important to do the appropriate research to find the on-line program that best suits your particular needs. However, not all on-line degree programs are equal: ensure the institution you select is fully accredited to grant degrees and not a shady "diploma mill" that doles out illegitimate degrees that won't be recognized by reputable colleges or employers.
As well as serving as a membership organization, American Medical Technologists is also an internationally-recognized certification agency for medical technologists. Although AMT certification is not a requirement for employment, the organization insists that AMT certification is respected in the industry, and helps make a member more marketable in the industry. In addition, AMT offers an array of benefits to its members, ranging from continuing education options to various educational resources.