Medical Technologist question

[Janeway]

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Hello,
I'm hoping there are some MT and MLT out there. I'm looking for some advice and suggestions and hoping to hear how you became a Medical technologists.
I already graduated from college and I have a degree in Biology.
I was interested in MT/MLT but the program was closed at my school.

I would like to be an MT.
I visited the Naacls site to look for accredited programs in Illinois.

I'm a little confused, they have programs in the state that are for CLS/MT (Usually in universities) and then some for CLT/MLT(usually in community colleges).


Is there a big difference in these programs? I know that as an MT I'll earn more money than an MLT. A medical technologist said that an MT and a medical technician basically perform the same tasks, but that a technolgists gets paid more.


Since I already have a biology degree, does it matter if I take a MLT program versus an MT program?
For example, if I take an MLT program can I be certified as an MT because I also have a biology degree?
Or do I absolutly have to take an CLT/MT program to be certified as an MT?


I'm not sure how to pursue this. I've looked up some colleges that have the programs, but they seem aimed at undergraduates. I don't know if I should apply at a community college or a university.

I'd appreciate any advice and clarifications.

 

[njbmd]

A MT is a person who hold a 4-year degree in Medical Technology. A MLT is a person who holds an associates degree in Medical Laboratory Technology. The difference is that one is a bachelor's level program and the other is an associated degree program. An MLT is not going to make the salary of an MT and will not generally be eligible for specializing in any of the MT specialty areas by exam such as Hematology, Blood Banking, Microbiology or Clinical Chemistry. The MT takes a different certification exam than the MLT.

It is likely that some of your coursework from your bachelors in Biology will cover some of the entry coursework for the MT degree but upon completion of the MT program, you will have a second bachelor's degree. If you enter an MLT program, you will end up with an associates degree that will enable you to work in a clinical lab upon passing the MLT exam.

Take a look at the Virginia Commonwealth University website for Medical Technology (has been training Med Technologists since 1927) and see what some of the options are for the degrees at the bachelor's level, masters level and how those with the associates degree can upgrade to the bachelor's level. Website:Virginia Commonwealth University You may want to contact some of the folks at this program for answers to your questions about this profession and what your options may be if this interests you.

 

[MedTechMae]

MTs have more opportunity for advancement in most clinical labs. In the laboratory I work for MLTs are not eligible to hold leadership positions, not even shift supervisor or lead tech positions. MLTs typically make less money than MTs, although if you are willing to work in a rural area you may make more than an MT in a suburban area. The MT and MLT programs cover most of the same material, but the MT program goes a little more in depth and usually includes some leadership and regulatory agency information that MLT programs MAY not include. Of course these are all broad, generalized statements and I know there are some MLT programs out there that surpass some MT programs in preparing the student to work in the lab. Since you do have your BS already there is another option available to you. After you work as an MLT for two years you can take the MT exam. Assuming you pass the exam you would be treated as an MT thereafter. You can check out the details at www.ascp.org. Good luck!

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

MTs have more opportunity for advancement in most clinical labs. In the laboratory I work for MLTs are not eligible to hold leadership positions, not even shift supervisor or lead tech positions. MLTs typically make less money than MTs, although if you are willing to work in a rural area you may make more than an MT in a suburban area. The MT and MLT programs cover most of the same material, but the MT program goes a little more in depth and usually includes some leadership and regulatory agency information that MLT programs MAY not include. Of course these are all broad, generalized statements and I know there are some MLT programs out there that surpass some MT programs in preparing the student to work in the lab. Since you do have your BS already there is another option available to you. After you work as an MLT for two years you can take the MT exam. Assuming you pass the exam you would be treated as an MT thereafter. You can check out the details at www.ascp.org. Good luck!

For those laboratories that are CAP accreditated it is actually not in compliance to have an MLT be a supervisor, so it isn't just your lab.

I heard this (not sure where so not how accurate the source), in California there is a new law that passed where MLTs can no longer do any microscopy work also.

I know CA and FL have their own laws regarding clinical lab medicine so you may want to investigate those if you live or are planning on living in either of these states.