Medical Technology Program
Dept. of Laboratory Medicine
University of Washington
Overview
•Description of Medical Technology Career
• Description of Medical Technology Program
• A Glimpse of Med Tech Student Life
Medical Technology
(Clinical Laboratory Science)
What is Medical Technology?
Medical Technology is where basic laboratory science meets the practice of
medicine. Also known as Clinical Laboratory Science, this is a critical part of health
care, as the results obtained by diagnostic laboratory tests done on patient samples
of blood, other body fluids, or tissue are vital tools for physicians in their diagnosis,
treatment, and prevention of disease. As much as 70-80% of the factual data
physicians use in evaluation of patients is generated by the clinical laboratory.
What is a Medical Technologist?
An individual with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology who is educated
in laboratory techniques and instrumentation used in the diagnosis and evaluation
of disease and who has a strong knowledge of human body systems and related
diseases and disorders.
What do Medical Technologists do?
•
Perform analytical tests on patient specimens
•
Collect and process the specimens
•
Analyze the data generated by clinical laboratories
determining if there are any discrepancies
•
Work with new techniques and new instruments
•
Use information systems such as computers
Medical Technology also includes:
•



Interacting as health care professionals with:
Patients
Laboratory Personnel
Other Health Care Professionals, such as MD’s,
nurses, etc.
 The public
• Behaving professionally which includes:
 Ethical and moral beliefs to gain the trust of
professional associates
 Confidence of the patient
Medical Technology does NOT include a lot of
interactions directly with patients
Where do Medical Technologists Work?
Most Medical Technologists work in:
• Clinical laboratories in medical centers, hospitals, or
clinics
Other Medical Technologists:
• Forensic Science
• Computers in Laboratories
• Laboratory Sales Representative
• Research
• Other Health Professions
These are just a few examples of the many varied
and unique job opportunities available to
Medical Technologists
Clinical Laboratory Divisions:
The Main Areas of Medical Technology
Blood Banking/Immunohematology
Chemistry
Hematology & Coagulation
Immunology
Microbiology
Blood Banking (Immunohematology):
• Perform crossmatch to identify compatible blood for
patients who are bleeding or for surgery.
• Some people have unusual blood types and a detailed
evaluation must be performed.
Chemistry:
Analyze the chemical composition of serum (the liquid
portion of the blood).
Includes testing for therapeutic drugs, drugs of abuse, and
diseases of organs (heart, liver, pancreas) and organ
systems (endocrine).
Hematology & Coagulation:
Blood cells are counted, stained, and examined.
Leukemia and other disorders are diagnosed.
Also includes tests to evaluate the ability of the blood to
clot.
Immunology:
•Tests to evaluate the immune response
(appropriate response to infecting agent or improper
response like rheumatoid arthritis)
Microbiology:
 Bacteria are grown on agar plates and identified.
 Bacteria are also tested for sensitivity to antibiotics.
 May include identification of viruses, parasites and fungi.
Why become a Medical Technologist?
 Educated as a generalist, so lots of variation.
 LOTS of available jobs!!! There is a shortage of Medical
Technologists nationally and internationally
 Competitive Salaries (starting pay ~ $50,000/year)
 Part-time/Full-Time/Various Shifts
 Fulfilling, Satisfying, & Rewarding
What about career advancement with a BS in MT?
 Lab supervisor/manager
 Graduate School (M.S., Ph.D.)
 Professional School (M.D., D.D.S., Pharm. D., etc.)
 Law School
 Business School
How do I become a Medical Technology
major at UW?
Contact: medtech@u.washington.edu or 206.598.2162
Get an application packet and more information at:
www.depts.washington.edu/labweb/Education/MedTech
What are UW Medical Technology Program
Admission Requirements?
• Junior status (all prereq’s complete or in progress)
• Minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.0 required
• Minimum Science GPA of 2.0 required
• Class accepted in 2008, mean GPA = 3.4
• Class accepted in 2009, mean GPA = 3.3
• Application DEADLINE: Feb. 15th each year
What does a complete application consist of?
 Application Form
 Personal Essay/Statement
 Official Transcripts of ALL college coursework
 Three Evaluation Forms
 Signed Essential Requirements Form
 Signed Washington State Patrol Criminal Background
Check and Self-Disclosure Forms
*Interview*
The Program…
2 + 2 Bachelor of Science Program
1. Pre-professional Phase: 90 quarter hours of
prerequisite and general education coursework
2. Professional Phase (7 quarters): Didactic Year
(4 quarters) and Clinical Internship Year (3
quarters)
Pre-Professional Prerequisites:
General Biology: 180, 200, 220
General Chemistry: 142, 152, 162
Organic Chemistry: 223 & 224 or 237, 238, 239
One Math Course: Statistics 220 or Math 124
Biology 118: Human Physiology
Plus the General Education courses required for
graduation
*Note: Take entire series at the same educational
institution
Medical Technology Program
Junior Year
Winter Quarter:
LABM 321 - Hematology
MICRO 442 – Bacteriology
Autumn Quarter:
MICRO 443 – Bacteriology Lab
LABM 322 - Chemistry
LABM 427 -Selected Topics BIOCHEM 406 - Biochemistry
IMMUN 441 - Immunology
BIOCHEM 405 - Biochemistry
Summer Quarter:
LABM 421- Medical Micro
LABM 426 - Immunohematology
Spring Quarter:
LABM 418 - Chemistry
MICRO 444 - Mycology
& Parasitology
MICRO 445 - Virology
Medical Technology Program
Senior Year
Autumn and Winter Quarters – Courses &
Clinical Rotations:
6 weeks LABM 419 – Coagulation
6 weeks LABM 420 – Analysis of Body Fluids
6 weeks Clinical Chemistry
6 weeks Clinical Hematology and Coagulation
6 weeks Clinical Microbiology
Spring Quarter - Elective:
1 week Phlebotomy
1 week Blood Bank
8 weeks - Research, Specialist, Generalist, or Outreach
Strengths of the MTP
Excellent Education: In depth knowledge of health and disease.
Small Size of Program: Students get to know each other and the
faculty.
Several Scholarships available exclusively for MTP students:
departmental and national.
Very good Pre-Med major.
Students are well prepared for the ASCP certifying exam.
Med. Techs are in High Demand: Many jobs waiting after
graduation offering competitive salaries. At UWMC a new MT
graduate starts at $48,384 per year.
The work of Medical Technologists is vitally important—without
laboratory tests and results healthcare would be severely limited.
Patient lives depend on accurate laboratory results.
There is so much variety is this field!!! From Microbiology to
Hematology to Chemistry to Bloodbanking and the sub-specialties
within each of these specialties. It is astounding how much
students learn in this program and how well prepared they are to
enter the field directly after graduation.
A Glimpse at Med Tech Student Life...
Autumn Quarter, Junior Year
Chemistry Student Lab
Winter Quarter, Junior Year
Hematology Student Lab
Summer Quarter
Junior Year
Microbiology
Student Lab
Med Tech Senior Year Clinical Rotations
GRADUATION !!!
Medical Technology Program
Contact Information
Email: medtech@u.washington.edu
Office: UWMC, NW120
Phone: 206.598.2162
Website:
www.depts.washington.edu/labweb/Education/Medtech