Medical Technology

Medical Technology or Clinical Laboratory Science encompasses the performance and evaluation of scientific tests on blood, other body fluids or specimens. The results of these laboratory tests determine the presence of disease, aid in treatment and monitor therapy.

This is a dynamic profession that changes as new medical knowledge is discovered. Medical Technologists or Clinical Laboratory Scientists use the latest high tech biomedical equipment, often interfaced with computers, to generate accurate, reliable test results.

The medical laboratory is often organized into specialized areas where hundreds of different tests are performed. Some of the areas of the laboratory with a few examples of their tests are:

Clinical Chemistry - where tests are performed to measure blood levels of substances such as drugs, proteins, hormones, cholesterol, glucose

Blood Bank - where tests are performed to determine blood type, test the blood of people donating blood and prepare blood for transfusion into patients

Hematology - where tests are performed to study both red and white blood cells to detect anemia, leukemia and infections

Microbiology - where bacteria, viruses, and fungi which cause infection are grown, identified and tested against drugs that may cure the infection

For more information, contact Dr. Linda Reilly, Dean of the School of Allied Health Professions and Campus Coordinator of Medical Technology at (215) 641-5543 or e-mail at reilly.l@gmc.edu. You may also contact the Admission Office at 1-800-DIAL-GMC or e-mail at admissions@gmc.edu.

For a detailed description on the Medical Technology program, click here

Medical Technologists or Clinical Laboratory Scientists are health-care professionals who:

• perform laboratory tests on blood and body fluids evaluate test results
• correlate results of many tests done on a patient monitor the quality of test results
• troubleshoot problems in tests or instruments
• communicate and interpret results and information
• research and develop new methods
• continue to grow professionally with experience, supervise other personnel and manage laboratories
• may work in other industries besides hospitals
• may continue on to graduate studies or enter professional schools, such as medicine, veterinary or dentistry

The Curriculum:

Medical Technologists or Clinical Laboratory Scientists attain their professional skills through a baccalaureate (4 year) education with emphasis on the liberal arts and sciences and a clinical (12 month) internship in a hospital laboratory. The college is affiliated with several hospital-based approved Schools of Medical Technology which provide clinical training in the medical laboratory.

The affiliated programs are: School of Clinical Laboratory Science for the Reading Hospital and Medical Center, Lancaster General College, St. Christopher's Hospital and Pennsylvania Hospital.

Gwynedd-Mercy College has three routes for students to become Medical Technologists or Clinical Laboratory Scientists:

• Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology: This is a 3 + 1 program where students spend three years or take approximately 90 credits on the college campus. The senior or final year of study is spent at an approved hospital-based School of Medical Technology. The senior year of study is 12 full months. At the completion of study, students receive a BS degree in Medical Technology from Gwynedd-Mercy College and are eligible to sit for the major national certifying examinations.
• Biology/Medical Technology: This is a 4 + 1 program. Students complete and graduate with a BS in Biology. The fifth year is spent at a approved hospital-based School of Medical Technology. Students may take the final year of study independent of the college or choose to receive a second BS in Medical Technology. At the completion of the fifth year of study, students are eligible to sit for the major national certifying examinations.
• MLT to MT Progression Program: Applicants to this program must have earned an Associate's degree in Medical Laboratory Technology and become registered within one year of entering the program. Students complete the remainder of courses required for a Bachelor of Science degree and are required to apply to a hospital-based approved School of Medical Technology. Students can make arrangements for accelerating hospital rotations directly with the hospital-based school.
  Some states require additional licensing examinations.

Career Opportunities

• Medical Technologists can seek employment in many industries and organizations:
• Hospital and Private Clinical Laboratories: These are the traditional employers of Medical Technologists. In these settings tests are performed to help diagnose and treat disease.
• Research: University, industrial research laboratories and pharmaceutical companies employ Medical Technologists to help find solutions through research and development.
• Public Health: Medical Technologists can find employment in state and city health laboratories. They are involved in community health projects, environmental testing and other projects that keep us healthy.
• Crime Laboratories: Medical Technologists can find employment in crime laboratories where they perform forensic tests that help solve crimes, such as DNA testing.
• Sales and Marketing: Medical Technologists have an ideal education for entry into sales and technical service for biomedical supply firms and pharmaceutical companies. Some computer companies who are involved in the installation of laboratory computer systems employ Medical Technologists as technical and training assistants.
• Health Administration: With experience, Medical Technologists grow to become supervisors of clinical laboratories. These positions often require additional courses in accounting, marketing, personnel management, planning and computers. Some Medical Technologists obtain a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) or a Masters in Health Administration (MHA).
• Education: Some Medical Technologists become teachers of new Medical Technologists. These positions often require a Masters Degree.

Links of Interest:

American Society of Clinical Pathologists:
www.ascp.org

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science:
www.naacls.org

American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science:
www.ascls.org

American Association of Blood Banks:
www.aabb.org

American Association for Clinical Chemistry:
www.aacc.org

American Society for Hematology:
www.hematology.org

American Society for Microbiology:
www.asmusa.org