Medical Technology

Medical technologists are laboratory specialists responsible for the performance of routine and specialized tests in the clinical laboratory. Medical technologists are trained to correlate test results with the physiological condition of patients. Physicians utilize these results to determine the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of disease. Areas of laboratory medicine in which medical technologists are involved include hematology, clinical chemistry, immunology, coagulation, blood banking, microbiology (includes parasitology, mycology and virology), and urinalysis. In addition to hospitals, medical technologists are employed in veterinary schools and clinics, research laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, public health agencies, and biotechnology companies. Opportunities also exist for those interested in management/administration and education. For those who wish to further their education, medical technology can serve as a stepping stone to graduate degrees in biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, pathology, business or hospital administration.

A student interested in medical technology attends Lamar for three years and completes a minimum of 105 semester hours as a medical technology major (Medical Technician degree home page).  The student then applies to a hospital-based program (program list).  After completing the senior year in a clinical training program the student is awarded a bachelor's degree in medical technology. Upon satisfactory completion of all academic requirements in medical technology, students are eligible for examination and certification by the appropriate agency. Application to a medical technology program is usually made early in the year prior to the professional phase of study. Application dates and deadlines vary, so check with Dr. Terry, Hayes Biology, Room 205 and with the medical technology program directors of the individual institutions. (For a list, see the Biology Department section of the Lamar University Catalog under "Directors of Medical Technology Programs.")

For questions regarding careers and curriculum write: