Degree Overview: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Medical Technology
Majors Overview August 29, 2014Receive information about a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree program in Medical Technology and its education requirements, coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree Programs in Medical Technology
Students enrolled in Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Medical Technology degree programs can seek occupations in clinical laboratory environments wherein they would perform tests on patients, study results and manage treatment plans. Schools most commonly offer a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Medical Technology degree in this field devised to make enrolled students adept at analyzing medical tests and diagnosing diseases. These science-intensive programs mainly emphasize the biological sciences.
Some areas of emphasis include microbiology and organic chemistry. Students may spend a decent amount of time in the laboratory in order to develop practical skills and gain familiarity with professional tools of the field. Internships in clinics or hospitals are completed by students, in certain instances. Passage of a qualifying test would qualify candidates to gain professional certifications offered by the National Credentialing Agency, among other organizations.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or a high school diploma, in addition to a strong grasp of the sciences, including chemistry and biology.
Coursework
The performance of medical tests is extensively studied within the coursework in Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Medical Technology programs; students gain a firm foundation in the science underscoring such tests. Core coursework may include topic areas such as:
•Immunology
•Microbiology
•Organic chemistry
•Human anatomy and physiology
•Cell biology
Career Choices
Those who complete the bachelor’s degree program may seek entry-level careers in hospitals, medical laboratories and physicians’ offices. In 2012, over 160,000 individuals were employed as medical technologists (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2010 – 2020 decade, an at-par-with-average job growth rate of 11% has been predicted for medical technologists (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). While increased automation in the field could slow down the growth of jobs, new occupations could result from the continual creation of new diagnostic tests. In May 2012, these professionals brought home an average annual wage of $57,580 (BLS).
Continuing Education Choices
While a bachelor’s degree in a life science or medical technology may suffice for employers, graduates can seek continued education by earning professional certification as offered by the American Medical Technologists and the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel, among other organizations. They may also seek master’s degrees in medical technology. Licensure is compulsory in some states.
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