B.S. Medical Technology: Overall Program Description

Structure: The major in medical technology enables a student to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from SUNY Brockport at the end of a four-year program, including three academic years here and a fourth calendar year at a school of medical technology approved by the College. During the first three years each student fulfills the General Education requirements and the major requirements. The fourth year at a school of medical technology includes both theoretical and practical work in a medical lab. The BS is awarded upon the satisfactory completion of the requirements of both institutions. Upon completion of the internship, the student is eligible to take the National Registry Examination, which must be passed for the student to be certified as a Registered Medical Technologist. The program is currently offered in affiliation with Rochester General Hospital and Women’s Christian Association Hospital (Jamestown, NY).

Enrollment: To enter this program, students declare a major in medical technology in the freshman year, to assure proper advisement. Majors are declared with the department secretary, Room 103, Lennon Hall. A formal application to the School of Medical Technology is made by the –middle of the fall semester of the junior year. Based on the academic record for the freshman, sophomore years and mid-semester grades of the fall semester of the junior year as well as an interview, the decision is made as to which applicants will be formally admitted into the clinical year. This decision is competitive and made by the School of medical technology. Any students not accepted have the option to complete a major in biological sciences.

Credits: Students must earn a total of 90 credits (including general education requirements) from courses chosen from Table 1 during the first three years of the program at Brockport. In addition, 34 credits are required in the clinical year at an approved school of medical technology from the following courses: microbiology (immunology), clinical chemistry, hematology, blood bank, urinalysis/clinical microscopy, principles of disease, and toxicology.

Example: A typical four-year program that satisfies the above requirements and culminates in a B.S. in Medical Technology is shown on Table 2. Students majoring in biological sciences are required to obtain a minimum grade of “C” in BIO 201 and BIO 202 before they are allowed to take further courses in the major. Students may transfer the above courses from other accredited institutions to satisfy this requirement provided that the courses have been approved and that the students have earned a grade of “C” or higher in the courses transferred.

Career Opportunities

As the population of the U.S. ages, it has been estimated that by 2010, the health care industry, where the medical technologist works, will be the number-one service industry in the country. The need for trained personnel in medical technology is particlarly acute in New York, New England and the southwest. The most recent report of the American Socitety of Clinical Pathologists (2005) indicated that 43.9% of laboratories reported that they were currently experiencing difficulties in recruiting and hiring medical laboratory personnel. There are many career directions open to medical technologists in clinical laboratories, research and development, the pharmaceutical industry, forensic labs, environmental labs and teaching programs.

Table 1: Med Tech Requirements

Table 2: A Typical 4-Year Program towards a B.S. in Medical Technology