Contents
A technology in a hospital setting can be defined as any type of equipment or system that is used to diagnose, treat or monitor patient care.
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Job Description
The medical technology field is one of the most important in the hospital. Technicians work with a variety of specialized equipment and are responsible for ensuring that it is properly sterilized and maintained. They also work closely with nurses and doctors to ensure that patients receive the best possible care.
Duties
A medical technologist, also called a clinical laboratory technologist, performs tests on patient samples. These tests provide information that helps physicians diagnose, treat, and prevent disease.
Medical technologists work in hospitals, reference laboratories, blood banks, and other settings. They collect blood samples from patients and then perform tests on these samples. The results of these tests help doctors to diagnose or treat medical conditions.
In most cases, medical technologists work behind the scenes in laboratories. They use a variety of instruments and equipment to perform their tests. In some cases, they may interact with patients to collect samples. They also work with other healthcare providers to ensure that test results are accurate and meet the needs of the patients.
Skills
In order to work as a technologist in a hospital, one must be able to perform the following skills: take patient histories, administer injections, prepare patients for x-rays, operate x-ray machines, explain procedures to patients, develop x-rays, and maintain equipment.
Education and Training
A tech in a hospital is a member of the healthcare team who helps to keep the hospital running smoothly. They may work in a variety of departments, such as the emergency room, surgery, or the lab. Techs are responsible for tasks such as transporting patients, taking vital signs, and assisting with procedures.
Associate’s Degree
Many hospital technicians begin their careers with an associate’s degree in medical technology or a closely related field, such as health science or clinical laboratory science. These programs typically take 2 years to complete and include coursework in mathematics, chemistry, biology, and other sciences. Students in these programs also receive training in laboratory techniques and procedures.
Certification
Healthcare technology is constantly evolving, and new technologies are being introduced into hospitals and other healthcare settings all the time. As a result, there is a growing need for highly trained technicians who can maintain and repair this complex equipment.
There are a number of different certification programs available for healthcare technology technicians. The most common certification is the Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET) credential, which is offered by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). To earn this credential, candidates must have at least two years of experience working with medical equipment, and must pass an exam that covers a wide range of topics, including anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, safety procedures, and electrical theory.
Other certification programs include the Certified Laboratory Equipment Specialist (CLES) program offered by the International Society for Clinical Laboratory Technology (ISCLT), and the Certified Healthcare Technology Manager (CHTM) program offered by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS).
Salary and job outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for a medical technologist was $52,330 in 2018. The job outlook for medical technologists is expected to grow by 11% from 2018 to 2028, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
Salary
A medical technologist or technician, often called a “med tech,” is someone who uses laboratory testing to help with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. These health care professionals typically work in hospitals, doctor’s offices and other clinical settings.
Medical technologists have at least a bachelor’s degree in medical technology or a related field, while medical technicians usually have an associate degree or certification from a community college or vocational school.
Both med techs and med techs can find job opportunities in a variety of settings, including hospitals, physician’s offices, public health departments and diagnostic laboratories. In addition, many med techs and med techs work in research laboratories or for companies that manufacture medical devices or laboratory equipment.
The median annual salary for medical technologists was $51,770 in May 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median annual salary for medical technicians was $31,760 during the same time period.
While the job outlook for medical technologists is good, the outlook for medical technicians is excellent. The BLS projects that employment of medical technicians will grow by 13% from 2016 to 2026, which is much faster than the average for all occupations
Job Outlook
Employment of healthcare occupations is projected to grow 14 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations, adding about 2.4 million new jobs. Healthcare occupations are projected to add more jobs than any of the other occupational groups. This growth is largely due to an aging population, which is expected to lead to greater demand for healthcare services.
