If you're interested in becoming a medical technician, you'll be delighted to discover there are many different types of technician positions available, and you'll want to explore your options. The following are the most commonly pursued medical technician positions:
Clinical Laboratory Technicians
Would you like to analyze specimens in a laboratory? Are you detail-oriented and able to distinguish tiny differences between specimens in tests and on glass slides? Clinical laboratory technicians analyze specimens, run tests, record results and write up results. To do this job, you will need a bachelor's degree in medical sciences or life sciences.
Medical Records/Health Information Technicians
Are you more interested in the record-keeping end of medical services? If so, you may want to become a medical records or a health information technician. These technicians make sure charts are properly filled out, results of tests and procedures are accurately documented, insurance claims are filed and codes are reliably assigned to patient charts. You will need an associate's degree to do this job.
Pharmacy Technician
Are you interested in the preparation and dispensing of pharmaceutical drugs? Are you thinking about becoming a pharmacist? You may want to work as a pharmacy technician, assisting pharmacists as they fill prescriptions and answer questions about health issues related to prescription and over-the-counter drugs. You should have an associate's degree when you apply for this job. Priority is usually given to people who desire to study to become a pharmacist.
Radiological/X-Ray Technician
If you're interested in the skeletal system, you may want to become an x-ray technician or a radiological technician. You'll need an associate's degree and certification to do this job, and you'll enjoy a non-invasive medical practice that assists in diagnosis through black-and-white imaging.
Surgical Technician
Also called a scrub, you need only a high school diploma and a certification to do this job. As a surgical technician, you'll prepare the operating room and assist the surgeon or nurses by handing instruments, disposing of waste and properly delivering specimens for diagnosis.
Ultrasound Technician
As an ultrasound technician, you'll get to monitor fetal development or check out what goes on inside patients through imaging devices. You'll need a bachelor's degree and certification, but you'll get to be a part of a health-monitoring and diagnostic team at a hospital or doctor's office.
Medical Technician Programs
It's not necessary to go to medical technician schools, but you'll want to make sure the school you choose offers programs that are certified in the field you decide to pursue. Most colleges offer technician programs, but not all colleges are accredited in all technician areas. Find out exactly what coursework, certification and credits you will need to become the type of technician you want to be, and then choose a school.
 | If you're considering becoming an ultrasound technician, you've chosen a field with a good number of job openings and relatively brief training time. |
 | If you're thinking about becoming an x-ray technician, you've chosen a field that is ripe with opportunity. Medical jobs are typically secure jobs, since health care demands of our country keep growing as science advances. |
If you'd like to become a radiology technician, you'll want to look into the accreditation requirements for your state. You can become a radiology technician in very little time if you have the desire and determination. |
If you're wondering what a surgical technician does day-to-day, you'll be interested in discovering the many facets of this job. This is a popular entry-level medical position. |
If you're wondering how to become a pharmacy technician, you'll be glad to hear it is relatively simple to do. Plus, working as a pharmacy technician is perfect groundwork for becoming a pharmacist. |
