Concentration in Medical Technology
(also known as Clinical Laboratory Science)

Medical technologists perform laboratory procedures to assist physicians in evaluating the medical conditions of their patients. Clinical laboratory testing plays an integral role in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of disease. Medical Technologists analyze blood, body fluids and other biological samples using computerized instrumentation, as well as manual procedures.

A student who completes the concentration in Medical Technology graduates with a bachelor of science degree in biology from Radford University. Upon completing the clinical year, the student takes a certification test administered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).

What can I do with my training in Medical Technology?

Upon passing the required licensure/certification examinations, the laboratory professional enters a career full of many options, including:

• Hospital clinical laboratory scientist
• Doctor's office laboratory scientist
• Research Technician in a Research Lab
• Specialist in:
• Molecular Pathology and Diagnostics
• Forensic Science
• Blood Banking
• Microbiology

 

 

• Sales and servicing of lab equipment
• Teacher at a Medical Technology school
• Other health science professions, using experience and knowledge gained as a Laboratory Scientist, for example:
  • Medical Doctor
  • Pharmacist
  • Physician's Assistant
  • Dentist
  • Nurse

 

 

The American Society for Clinical Pathology(ASCP) oversees hospital labs. For more information about Clinical Laboratory Science, visit their sites:

Lab professionals:
http://www.ascp.org/MainMenu/laboratoryprofessionals/CareerCenter.aspx

Medical technologist:
http://www.ascp.org/pdf/TheMedicalTechnologistandMedicalLaboratoryTechnician.aspx

According to the U.S. Department of Labor "Rapid job growth and excellent job opportunities are expected." "Median annual wages of medical and clinical laboratory technologists were $53,500 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $44,560 and $63,420."
 - U. S. Department of Labor - Bureau of Labor Statistics, (Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH), 2010-2011 Edition)

Career Cast lists Medical Technologist #30 in a list of 200 careers, based on the work environment and hiring outlook.

Concentration in Medical Technology in Radford University Biology Department

Biology majors concentrating in Medical Technology take three years of academic courses at Radford University and spend their senior year (12 months) studying at a clinical school of one of the hospitals affiliated with Radford University. This is known as the 3+1 option, as three years are spent on campus at RU, and the fourth is spent at the clinical school. Students must apply to the hospital in the fall or winter of their junior year.

Sometimes students graduate with a B.S., and later decide on a career as a clinical laboratory scientist. As long as the student has the prerequisites for the particular school, they can apply directly to a clinical school. This is known as the 4+1 option.

Courses at the hospital affiliate are taught from a clinical perspective and include hematology, clinical chemistry, molecular diagnostics, microscopy, bacteriology, immunology, serology, parasitology, and laboratory supervision and management. Students are taught how to examine body fluids and cells. They learn how to identify bacteria, parasites, and other microorganisms; chemically analyze body fluids; determine blood type for transfusions. They are taught how to use microscopes, cell counters and other laboratory equipment. Much of the modern hospital lab equipment is automated and computerized, so many tests can be run in a short amount of time. After testing and examining a specimen, the lab scientist analyzes the results and relay them to physicians.

If you have questions about the concentration or the career, contact:

Mr. John Kell, Medical Technology Advisor Department of Biology
Radford University
P.O. Box 6931
Reed Hall - Room 309
Radford, VA 24142
Office: (540) 831-5711
jkell@radford.edu

The Medical Technology Academic Progress sheet, 2012-2013, provides a checklist with the course requirements for a concentration in Medical Technology.

Radford University is affiliated with the following hospitals with clinical programs in Medical Technology or CLS. (Complete contact information and links are below.)

• Augusta Health School of Clinical Laboratory Science-Fishersville, VA

• Rockingham Memorial Hospital School of Medical Technology-Harrisonburg, VA

We have an affiliated graduate program where students may earn a master of science program in clinical laboratory science:

The Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, School of Allied Health Professions, Medical College of Virginia Campus/Virginia Commonwealth University agrees to guarantee admission into the master of science program in clinical laboratory sciences for students who meet the following criteria: baccalaureate degree in biology with a concentration in medical technology (Clinical Laboratory Science), biology or chemistry, minimum GPA 3.25 and a minimum science GPA of 3.0.

Minimum TOEFL of 570 is required for students whose native language is not English.

Radford University Affiliated Clinical Hospital Laboratory Science Education Programs

Augusta Health School of Clinical Laboratory Science
78 Medical Center Drive
P.O. Box 1000
Fishersville, VA 22939
Program Director: Ellie Coggins, MLS, MSHA
(540) 332-4539

Rockingham Memorial Hospital

School of Medical Technology
235 Cantrell Avenue
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Program Director: Sue Lawton
slawton@rhcc.com
(540) 564-5407