Which is a better field to pursue Medical Laboratory Technician or Radiologic Technologist?
Asked by Angel
Please give reasons as to why one occupation is better than the other. Which pays of these fields pays more than the other? Sanju Baba or whatever your name is. Your link was of no help.

Best Answer:
I think it depends on how much you like interacting with people. A Radiologic Tech will be working hands on with a wide variety of patients all day and traits like compassion, patientce, and people skills would be important for this job. The Medical Labratory Tecnician would be better suited for those who anre not as outgoing or people oriented as most of your time would be spent in a laboratory without much contact with other people. There is not really one job that is "better" than the other, The question is which one is a better fit for your personality.

Radiologic Technologist - better pay and you will not have problems looking for a job. It's also a very easy and laid back position.
Answered by Gemini

I agree go with Radiology they pay more and there's more opportunity...im going to school for it now and i know its worth it and will be rewarding but everyone is different study both field a little more and make the decision.
Answered by ♥So Different♥

The answer really depends on your tendencies, skills, and aptitudes. Both positions typically require an associates degree. Radiologic technologists (RTs) generally make a little more than medical laboratory technicians (MLTs) and handle patients directly, something that demands use of people skills. Medical laboratory technicians have more scientific curosity and exercise a higher level of critical thinking. RTs could also be compared to medical technologists (MTs). MTs supervise MLTs and other laboratory personnel and also control, establish and perform all levels of laboratory testing. They hold a bachelor's degree in medical technology or one of the life sciences in addition to national certification. I would say that MTs' and RTs' salaries are more comparable. Because RTs make more money, many would immediately pick this career over one in the laboratory. But, there is another factor that should be considered. There is a growing shortage of medical laboratory personnel due to a retiring majority that are over the age of 50. This shortage is expected to become very critical in 5 to 10 years when more baby boomers start to retire. By this time, experts estimate that there will be approximately 3 to 5 times as many open laboratory positions as there are professionals to fill them (a shortage that surpasses that of nurses, pharmacists, physicians, and all other healthcare professionals by a long shot). This means medical technologists will be in very high demand and should therefore be able to pick and choose amongst numerous job openings. This means a lot of freedom for MTs and probably higher salaries. Also, the two major certifying agencies, the ASCP and NCA, will be merging at some point in the near future into a single agency (currently, there are multiple certifying agencies for the medical laboratory field). This is expected to bring much more recognition and respect to this field. So, although radiology is an excellent choice and easier field, I would say the laboratory presents more challenges, and shows more growth and promise for the near future.
Answered by Nightsaber