What is the difference between a phlebotomist and medical technician?
Asked by C.J
I'm working towards a B.S. in Microbiology because my career goal is to be a Medical Technologist. However, to get some on the job training and experience I would like to become certified in either phlebotomy or as a medical technician first. I plan to work part-time and continue working towards my B.S. at the same time. Which program would you recommend?

Best Answer:
The key difference depends on the schools and programs you are considering. Some med tech programs overlap and include 'live sticks' as part of the training where as Phlebotomy programs are usually all about the stick and draw. FWIW you can always take a Phlebotomy course down the road for a few hundred bucks if you decide it's worth it. However, if your goal is to be a med tech - take a med tech course.

Take the phlebotomy class, quick and not too hard,,,,,continue on with your schooling towards your bachelors. Don't mess with the med tech, phlebotomist and med tech make the same money but the phlebotomy is quicker. CNA is quick n easy and earn about 10-12 an hour at least, depends where you live. CNA & Phlebotomy and you'll always be able to have work/find work till you finish with the bachelors. MAKE THE BACHELORS THE TOP TOP TOP PRIORITY!!!!!! There is more to being a CNA then nursing homes, I've worked several cool jobs as a CNA.
Answered by trishalish

That's a bit hard because ultimately in med tech school you will learn phlebotomy and your skills will supersede the med technician--so it's hard to see justifying the time & cost to become a med technician, when the med technologist program is only a year long, and they will train your thoroughly so its really not that necessary to get the experience of the technician. If you want to work around the lab, make some $--I would do the phlebotomist (if you can get a cheap program)--that is a skill that is important to learn to do well. I worked in the lab in the front office--filing, answering phones, processing the specimens, keeping track of the phlebotomists etc--something else to look at (no training required).
Answered by Diane A

I agree with Diane, it would be better to focus on your degree and work as either a phlebotomist, processor or in another assisting capacity since the MLT (medical laboratory technician) program includes a clinical rotation itself and requires an associates degree in medical laboratory technology. If you are pursuing a career as a medical technologist then you would have to go through another 1 year clinical internship making MLT school nearly a waste of your time and energy. Some institutions will "grandfather" you in as an uncertified MLT if you have a BS in biology, chemistry, microbiology etc., but if you are still working on your BS then that's not a possibility. Although, you still may be able to get into a microbiology lab in some capacity (if you are interested in this particular field within medical technology), say, as a processor who receives and prepares specimens and sets up cultures (some labs employ an individual with a HS diploma as a laboratory technician or LT to do this). That way you can get some limited experience inside a microbiology laboratory if for no other reason than to get a feel for what a clinical microbiologist does, why they have chosen this field and the stress level involved. On a personal note, I took the exact path you are planning. After receiving my BS in microbiology, I was accepted into an MT internship as a "4 +1" student and now work as a clinical microbiologist (MT). In my opinion, those who enter the program with a degree already under their belt do much better than those who enter as "3+1" students and use the internship to complete a BS degree in medical technology. I suppose because the "4+1" students have completed their senior year and roughly 30 credits worth of 4000 level coursework. You really have made a great choice. Don't listen to any naysayers. This field is in a state of flux and there is a shortage of medical technologists that is worsening every year, that should mean job security and rising salaries. P.S. MT school can be very demanding. I would begin putting any extra money aside. It would be very difficult to try and work very many hours while in the internship.
Answered by Nightsaber

A phlebotomist simply takes blood samples. That's it. It's about a 6 week course.
Answered by Homegirl