Medical technicians contribute a great deal of the work that keeps our health care system running. They are the people on the front lines that fill the needs of the day. Guaranteed to always be cutting edge, work as a medical technician is unlikely to ever go out of demand or become stale. Because of the great variety of work available, becoming a medical technician can be a fascinating and rewarding opportunity.
Opportunities
The title "medical technician" can encompass a great variety of job positions. Some opportunities for medical technicians include X-ray technicians, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and dental hygienists. One of the primary requirements of becoming a medical technician is simply deciding what exactly you would like to be doing.
Certification
The requirement that separates medical technicians from nurses and other non-doctor health care roles is the need for certification. For example, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration outlines four levels of EMT certification dependent upon the completion of tests and classes.
Technology
Another common requirement for all medical technician fields is the application of technology. If not working directly with patients, the medical technician will often be in the laboratory, testing samples and potentially making diagnoses. Many technicians are the operators of X-ray, sonogram and echocardiogram machines. Medical technicians who work directly with patients will also be largely technology based, using tools such as defibrillators, EpiPen and other life-support technologies.
Field and Lab
Another requirement of most medical technicians is to work on their feet under a variety of conditions. Even the most office-bound medical technicians, such as a dental hygienist, will have a very active job, treating people on their feet and moving around quite a bit. Other medical technician positions are even more active, such as combat EMTs, who serve troops in active-duty areas, or technicians that specialize in outdoor rescue. Rarely is a medical technician a paper pusher.
College Degree
While not a definite requirement for all medical technicians, in today's competitive job market a specialized bachelor's or associate degree can give one the edge in achieving work in the medical field. For example, many schools offer degrees specific to particular technician jobs, such as a nuclear medicine technology degree. Many skills now offer pharmacist programs. If there is no degree in the specific area you intend to pursue, then a degree in chemistry, biology or a more general pre-med can set you on the right course.
Tags: medical technician, medical technicians, becoming medical, becoming medical technician, directly with