Medical Technology Option

Degree Requirements for Medical Technology Option

The growing complexity and significance of the role of the clinical laboratory in the delivery of health care accentuates the importance to its professionals receiving an education commensurate with the responsibilities of the clinical laboratory scientist. Medical technologists perform tests on various body fluids and tissues to determine the presence or absence of disease, to monitor response to disease, and to aid in health maintenance. They are indispensable laboratory personnel - the supervisors, the instructors and/or the specialists for a wide range of complex diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. In addition, graduates of the program are prepared for graduate studies and/or employment in clinically related government and/or industrial settings. The medical technology option allows for upward mobility of current practitioners in the field, including associate degree graduates with MLT (ASCP) certification.

View the complete course of study

Entry Level Competencies
Transfer Policies
Health Requirements
Accreditation

Entry Level Competencies

In accordance with NAACLS, after completion of this program, the Clinical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist will be able to:

• "develop and establish procedures for collecting, processing, and analyzing biological specimens and other substances;
• perform analytical tests of body fluids, cells, and other substances;
• integrate and relate data generated by the various clinical laboratory departments (hematology, clinical chemistry, immunohematology, microbiology, serology/immunology, coagulation, molecular diagnostics) while making decisions regarding possible discrepancies;
• confirm abnormal results, verify quality control procedures, execute quality control procedures, and develop solutions to problems concerning the generation of laboratory data;
• analyze and make decisions concerning the results of quality control and quality assurance measures, and institute proper procedures to maintain accuracy and precision;
• establish and perform preventive and corrective maintenance of equipment and instruments and identify appropriate sources for repairs;
• develop, evaluate, and select new techniques, interpretive algorithms, instruments and methods in terms of their usefulness and practicality within the context of a given laboratory's personnel, equipment, space, and budgetary resources;
• demonstrate professional conduct and interpersonal skills with patients, laboratory personnel, other health care professionals, and the public;
• establish and maintain continuing education as a function of growth and maintenance of professional competence;
• exercise and apply principles of management, safety, regulatory compliance, supervision, educational methodology, and current information systems;
• communicate to enable consultative interactions with members of the healthcare team, external relations, customer service and patient education.
• evaluate published studies as an informed consumer
• apply knowledge and skills in financial, operations, marketing and human resource management of the clinical laboratory" (NAACLS Preamble, Essentials of Accredited Educational Programs for the Clinical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist, 1996, 2001).

Transfer Policies for Certified Laboratory Technicians

Current practitioners in the field, including associate degree graduates, with MLT (ASCP), CLT (NCA), or CLA (ASCP) certification may seek entry to the major through transfer of credits. Prerequisite courses greater than ten years old must be updated. Comparable didactic courses are available for challenge in the clinical practice and upper division courses.

Health Requirements

Health requirements can be found at the School of Health & Environment Special School Requirements

Accreditation

The Medical Technology option of the Department Clinical Laboratory & Nutritional Sciences is fully accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 8410 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 670, Chicago, Illinois 60631-3415 (Phone: 773-714-8880, Email, Web page)

Program Director: Kay Doyle, Ph.D., MT (ASCP)

For more information, go to the Department of Clinical Laboratory and Nutritional Sciences.

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