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How to Become a Medical Technician in Ohio

By allied health world contributing writer
Published: January, 19 2010

Becoming a Medical Technician in Ohio

Medical technicians are part of a growing segment of allied health laboratory workers. Medical technicians, also known as medical lab technicians (MLT), assist in gathering and analyzing blood and tissue specimens and maintaining laboratory equipment. They work in hospitals, clinics, and pharmaceutical companies, and are a vital part of the research and diagnostic processes that change patient’s lives

 The number of medical technicians in the U.S. is projected to grow by 15% by 2016.This career is just starting to regain popularity after a long dry spell. The stir created by exciting new laboratory technologies, and the expansion of the health field in general promises to open up this career to a new generation of dedicated professionals. In Ohio, the outlook for medical lab technicians is very good. The popularity of this career is higher in many cities in Ohio than it is nationally, and there are still many positions available.

Steps to Becoming A Medical Technician in Ohio

1. Find, enroll in and graduate from one of the online or campus based Ohio medical technician schools. The search for a school takes time, and shouldn’t be rushed. You should ask a variety of questions about the schedule, campus accommodations, required coursework, and tuition arrangements. When you find a school to suit your needs, you can enroll and work toward graduating from your chosen program.

2. After you graduate, you can take the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certification exam. This exam is designed to test the knowledge and skills you acquired in school. You will need to apply for the test to be given a place in the schedule. There is a fee of $185. The state of Ohio does not require this type of certification, but in the competitive world of healthcare, a little extra effort can go a long way toward establishing credibility. This is especially true in a highly technical career like that of a medical technician. In fact, some medical institutions have begun to make certification a criterion for employment for medical technicians.

3. Seek work. If your school offered a practicum or internship, these can lead to employment or at least can help you make some connections in the industry. The Internet can be a great resources as well, with sites such as Health e Careers, Med Hunters and Empowering Health Jobs.

Through campus based and online programs, aspiring Medical Technicians in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron and Dayton, Ohio may be able to prepare themselves for the possibility of employment in some of the largest hospitals and healthcare facilities in the state including the Akron City Hospital, The Cleveland Clinic and the many University Hospitals and Mercy Hospitals.