Medical Technology
Overview
This specialization is designed for students who wish to become medical technologists certified by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. Medical technologists should have a firm understanding of the theory behind the diagnostic tests they perform in the clinical laboratory.
The responsibilities of medical technologists encompass all clinical laboratory disciplines:
- Clinical chemistry
- Urinalysis
- Hematology
- Serology
- Immunology
- Blood and organ banking
- Microbiology
- Parasitology
- Nuclear medicine
As self-motivated, inquisitive scientists, medical technologists contribute to the development of new methods and laboratory instrumentation that aid physicians in preventing and curing disease. Most medical technologists are employed in hospitals, but opportunities are growing in:
- Private laboratories
- Physicians' offices
- Government agencies
- Industrial and pharmaceutical laboratories
- University research programs
The American Medical Association's Council on Medical Education, the American Society of Clinical Pathologists and the American Society of Medical Technology collaborate in determining minimum standards for educational programs for medical technologists. The first three years of the program take place on the SIUE campus. During this time, students fulfill general education requirements and master fundamental knowledge and skills in biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics. The fourth year of clinical/professional study takes place in a clinical laboratory setting at one of the University's affiliated hospital schools of medical technology. Acceptance to the last year of study is competitive and is not guaranteed to individual students in the program.
Students enroll at SIUE for 36 hours of credit during the clinical year. Credits are earned through courses in:
- Blood banking
- Chemistry
- Coagulation
- Hematology
- Microbiology
- Mycology
- Parasitology
- Serology
- Urinalysis
- Other subjects as specified in the agreement with each hospital affiliate
Students are awarded the Bachelor of Science in biology with a specialization in medical technology upon successful completion of four years in the program. Students are then eligible to apply for examination by the Board of Registry of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.If successful, they are certified as medical technologists.
Students in this specialization should seek academic advisement early in their academic career from the biology/medical technology advisor, as there is strict course sequencing for the completion of requirements. Careful scheduling is essential to completion of the three-year on-campus portion of the program.
