Lab Perspectives: Forums

Re: A college student wondering about Med. Tech

arogyam arogyam — Tue, 12 May 2009 11:28:40 GMT

You should ask about this field related students or teachers who feel good after entering in this field, keep it up with your great efforts.

Re: A college student wondering about Med. Tech

Glenn George — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:55:46 GMT

I would like to agree with your wondering how someone who could not get into a nursing program, would gain entry into a med tech program. Unfortunately I have an idea on how that could be, the tech programs are not in high demand (at least in Illinois) by students and therefore often the admissions committee is less selective then would be optimum. That being said: I would certainly recommend any student to pursue med tech, AS A STARTING POINT, unfortunately not as a lifetime career. The reasons for not recommending it as a career are many and varied, and well beyond what I would like to address in this post. But it is a truly wonderful background to have for almost any scientific field, from neuroscience to bio-engineering to physics, the skills and knowledge gained in pursuit of this degree are incredible, and useful. Personally I do not know too many people in the basic research field (PhDs and such) who have the background, but those who do seem to be in high demand. The clinical career options (MD, DO, Clinical Geneticists, PharmD...etc) would benefit from a med tech background also and the background is viewed well by admissions for those programs. Another field that many don't really think about is that of patent law/patent agent, a broad med tech background is very useful for a patent worker, and the ability to think as a scientist is highly appreciated in the field. I guess the main point I want to drive home is that the field opens so many doors and provides such great training, that one does not have to enter it with the sole intent of becoming a bench tech (I must admit I did not find being a bench tech to satisfying, but was surprised at the number of doors it opened for me).

Re: A college student wondering about Med. Tech

Rhonda Daily — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:41:45 GMT

In response to an earlier post... I'm curious how someone who can't get into nursing program would get into a med tech programs, but anyhow....

If you are looking to get into lab research, med tech may not be the way to go. I would suggest teaching at a University if that's the road you are interested in.

If you are thinking about continuing on to medical school to be an M.D. or pathologist then I think med tech would be a great plan! We have a Dr. in our area who worked as a med tech, but knew he wanted to continue on... he was credited one full year of pathology residency due to his experience as a tech. Not to mention, he took the MCATs after his ASCP Boards and received the highest score nation wide for that year. He actually said that he freaked out a little bit since he was done so much faster than everyone else, he wondered if he was missing something!

I do think the clinical lab field has a lot to offer, and it's up to us (the new kids on the block) to change the field for the better!!

Re: A college student wondering about Med. Tech

Tiffany Landis — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 22:25:55 GMT

Medical Technology is a growing field and there is a high demand. If you like doing lab work and enjoy being in health care but don't want to deal with patients then Med Tech is the right path. I go to UT Memphis the program is rigorous but it prepares you for the work force. I would suggest finding a school that has a Master's in Clinical Laboratory Science. I got my B.S. in Microbiology and couldn't get a job with out certification.

Re: A college student wondering about Med. Tech

Nick Speigler — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:35:26 GMT

What you may want to find out is:

1. Does your state require you to hold a license to work in a medical laboratory? If so, you may need the specific undergrad coursework to qualify. ( New York is a stickler ! )

2. Will you be considered a Technologist or a Technician ? in some places there can be a considerable pay difference in the two.

3. If a license is not required, can you get hired without a concentrated medical laboratory education/certification?

4. Find out if the place(s) you want to work really give a hoot about certification. (none of mine did)

5. If you are unable to do any of the above, find out if there any university or research facilities that may have PhD.'s in need of a laboratorian for research work. (a couple of caveats though-- if the PhD leaves the facility, you may be out of a job. If funding or no grant money is available, you go Bye Bye - and the pay is often low to start in these kind of positions.) -- BUT -- the experience gained in these kinds of positions can be invaluable in that you may have gained cutting-edge experience as a research laboratorian that may help you later in your grad studies.

Hope this helps, and definately talk to people in your (laboratory) area as well as your advisor to find out more about your decided pathway

Re: A college student wondering about Med. Tech

Fadumo Abdi — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:07:57 GMT

To add to these questions: I am also planning along these same lines. My school offers a concentration in Lab Science so that when I graudate from the program, I would have skipped the certification process and just earned a BS with a concentratin in Lab Science. There after, I want to go to grad school right away. What I would like to know is if employment in labs for this sort of degree are available to the same extent that they are available to someone with a certification?

My goal is to not get caught up in the field, so this is why I am avoiding a certification.

Any idea about the sort of employment?

Thank you al in advance. This has been a helpful discussion

Re: A college student wondering about Med. Tech

Alex Foxx — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 04:49:09 GMT

The best of luck to you! If I were you, I'd go straight to grad school. Don't take any chances and get stuck in med tech.

Re: A college student wondering about Med. Tech

Parasmani Pageni — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:30:55 GMT

I am thankful to you all who gave their precious suggestions....God bless u!!!

Re: A college student wondering about Med. Tech

Martine — Thu, 15 May 2008 01:35:44 GMT

Don't even think about it entering this field. Go straight to graduate school

Re: A college student wondering about Med. Tech

Shirley Smith — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:30:00 GMT

It's not a bad career overall, but be careful not to be trapped in Medical Technology. A lot of people get into the field because they can't afford or qualify for something else (MD, Pharmacy, nursing, etc). If you don't want a career in Laboratory Medicine, have definite timelines to get out or else life will get in the way. I've been a Med Tech for about 20 years, and wish I had done something else with more options, like Rad. Tech.

Re: A college student wondering about Med. Tech

Nick Speigler — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:34:21 GMT

Go out and speak to techs in your locality to see what they have to say about their profession. Make sure you go to a place you would like to apply to work at on the shift you would be likely hired to work on (2nds or 3rds).

From my experiences, I would suggest rolling right into grad school from undergrad, as you may get wrapped up in your job and not be able to get away.

I hope you like working evenings and nights with weekends and holidays. Some places pay well many dont.

Your best bet is to continue furthering your education while you can.

A college student wondering about Med. Tech

Parasmani Pageni — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 22:54:39 GMT

I am a sophomere in a college thinking of doing Medical Technology after a year.I have always been lured by Medical tech as I heard it is easier to get a job after we graduate in med tech and it offers good amount of money.Actually,my intension is to go to grad school but there is no way i can afford it.So,i want to make some money by working few years and then apply to grad school.I reckon woking few yrs will make my application stronger too.

So,I want suggestion from u folks who have experience in this field.Does my plan sounds meaningful and can i work accordingly?I found some people who focused on the repeatitive nature of Med. Tech and termed it as a boring job?Is it so?What would u suggest? Any kind of information and guidelines will be highly appreciated.