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Medical Technologist School in Florida

By Courtney Ziegler, allied health world contributing writer
Published: May, 24 2010

Florida Medical Technologist Programs and Continuing Education

Be careful when selecting a Medical Technologist training program.  Florida requires that individuals obtain a Florida Clinical Laboratory Personnel license before allowing them to work in a laboratory setting.  Programs that are accredited through The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, or NAACLS, already meet this requirement.   In Florida, Medical Technologist certification is granted through the NAACLS, and is a requirement for state licensure.

Once you have earned national certification and received your license in Medical Technology or Clinical Laboratory Science, it is up to you to maintain it.  Because the area of Medical Technology is dynamic in nature, education and research simply cannot cease upon completion of the training program.  To ensure that professionals will continue to stay competent with the latest technological advancements, policies, and procedures related to Clinical Laboratory Science, individuals are required to attain continuing education units before a license can be renewed.

Every two years, a Medical Technologist is required to gather 24 continuing education units.  However, unlike other states, not only does Florida require a specific number of continuing education units, but they also ask that the units come from specific categories.  Two units must come from a course in preventing medical errors and one hour must include education related to HIV and AIDS.  After 24 continuing education units have been collected, including the required courses, Clinical Laboratory Scientists may pay a fee and complete the licensing renewal process.  It is advised that this step be done at least four to six weeks before the expiration date, since the processing time can vary.  The fees for renewing a Medical Technologist license in the state of Florida range from $155 to $315.

After reviewing the information regarding licensing, salary, and training requirements, you may be wondering if there are any job opportunities available in the field of Medical Technology in Florida.  On indeed.com there are currently 814 job postings for Clinical Laboratory Scientists or Medical Technologists across the Sunshine State.  If you want job security in Florida, consider a career in Medical Technology.

Through campus based and online programs, aspiring Medical Technologists in Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, St. Petersburg and Orlando, Florida may be able to prepare themselves for the possibility of employment in some of the largest hospitals and healthcare facilities in the state including Baptist Medical Center, Florida Hospital Orlando, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Jackson Memorial Hospital, and Memorial Regional Hospital.