What is the difference between a medical technologist and a medical technician?
Asked by saturnia107
I know about the degree (Bachelor's and Associate) difference and salary difference, but what about the JOB difference? I am majoring in medical technology and it sometimes discourages me seeing those TV ads for 2 year schools, knowing I am going to much better school yet may still end up doing the same duties as someone who went to a crappy school.

Best Answer:
The separation of duties between MLTs and MTs is more apparent is some departments than in others. For example, in most blood banks and microbiology labs, only the MTs will perform the higher complexity testing such as anitbody identification and culture reading. In contrast, all laboratorians generally perform the same testing in more automated departments like chemistry and hematology. Although, there are always exceptions to the rules. People may be separated by their qualifications, but sometimes aptitude has be considered and responsibilities are sometimes assigned according to ability.
MT (ASCP)
Answered by Nightsaber

Since that extra two years of training result in a higher salary, what company would be foolish enough to hire a medical technologist if a medical technician could do the job? Your extra training brings more skills to the job with you. Another thing, just because a school is two years long doesn't necessarily make it crappy. It's different but, then again, the difference is between '-ician' and '-ologist'. Two different jobs, two different courses of study.
Answered by Bob B

Medical technologists and medical technicians work side by side in medical labs. The medical technologist, also referred to as lab scientist, perform the more complex chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic and bacterial tests. The medical technician a.k.a. lab technician or medical lab technician, perform the less complex tests and normally work under a manager or a medical technologist. At least if you are a medical technologist, you can be the boss of a medical technician and not the other way around, unless the technician has been promoted to a manager, in which case he is no longer a technician.
Answered by draco4843 |