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What is a medical technologist, generalist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Janice Conway-Klaassen Ph.D.
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A Medical technologist, generalist oversees daily operations in the laboratory. This includes routine testing, quality control, and maintenance of instruments. He/She provides information for patient diagnosis and treatment by performing laboratory tests. These tests revolve around chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, serology, microbiology, and immunology. He/She uses various types of lab equipment and complex computer programs to perform the test. Furthermore, he/she develops, performs, and evaluates the accuracy of laboratory procedures. Additionally, he/she adheres to laboratory protocol and procedures. Also, he/she analyzes tests' results before submitting them to physicians.

Medical technologists, generalists have a bachelor's degree in medical technology with a minimum of a year of experience in a similar role. Having relevant certifications like ASCP certification is a plus. Skills like communication, decision-making, interpersonal, and leadership skills are essential for this role. This personnel earns an average annual salary of $58,071. This ranges between $39,000 and $87,000.

What general advice would you give to a medical technologist, generalist?

Janice Conway-Klaassen Ph.D.Janice Conway-Klaassen Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor & Director, Medical Laboratory Sciences Program, Mildred King Rohwer Chair in Medical Technology, University of Minnesota

Your first job may not be your dream job, but you may be surprised by what opportunities it provides. Keep your eyes and ears open for those opportunities.
ScoreMedical Technologist, GeneralistUS Average
Salary
4.6

Avg. Salary $58,246

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
9.6

Growth rate 7%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
9.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.80%

Asian 11.98%

Black or African American 10.87%

Hispanic or Latino 17.19%

Unknown 5.12%

White 54.04%

Gender

female 70.72%

male 29.28%

Age - 44
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44
Stress level
9.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
9.6

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.3

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Medical technologist, generalist career paths

Key steps to become a medical technologist, generalist

  1. Explore medical technologist, generalist education requirements

    Most common medical technologist, generalist degrees

    Bachelor's

    71.6 %

    Associate

    15.8 %

    Master's

    6.7 %
  2. Start to develop specific medical technologist, generalist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Patients13.36%
    Clinical Laboratory12.67%
    Hematology9.04%
    Patient Care7.17%
    Microbiology6.44%
  3. Complete relevant medical technologist, generalist training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New medical technologists, generalist learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a medical technologist, generalist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real medical technologist, generalist resumes.
  4. Research medical technologist, generalist duties and responsibilities

    • Manage data process flow to ensure employee timekeeping, attendance and payroll objectives are effectively and efficiently maintain.
    • Perform specimen processing and testing, phlebotomy, analyzer maintenance, proficiency testing etc.
    • Perform, instruct and delegate medical technologist generalist testing in chemistry, hematology, blood bank and microbiology.
    • Process and analyze specimens in all areas of the lab including chemistry, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis and microbiology.
  5. Prepare your medical technologist, generalist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your medical technologist, generalist resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a medical technologist, generalist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable medical technologist, generalist resume templates

    Build a professional medical technologist, generalist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your medical technologist, generalist resume.
    Medical Technologist, Generalist Resume
    Medical Technologist, Generalist Resume
    Medical Technologist, Generalist Resume
    Medical Technologist, Generalist Resume
    Medical Technologist, Generalist Resume
    Medical Technologist, Generalist Resume
    Medical Technologist, Generalist Resume
    Medical Technologist, Generalist Resume
    Medical Technologist, Generalist Resume
  6. Apply for medical technologist, generalist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a medical technologist, generalist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first medical technologist, generalist job

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Average medical technologist, generalist salary

The average medical technologist, generalist salary in the United States is $58,246 per year or $28 per hour. Medical technologist, generalist salaries range between $42,000 and $79,000 per year.

Average medical technologist, generalist salary
$58,246 Yearly
$28.00 hourly

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How do medical technologists, generalist rate their job?

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Medical technologist, generalist reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2022
Pros

I like working in the Microbiology and Virology area. I have 35 years experience in those areas

Cons

I really like everything about being a Medical Technologist. Is a great profession


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A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2020
Pros

The diagnostic science. I will one day be a DCLS and work as a diagnostician.

Cons

That we are not respected as autonomous certified individuals that are equal to nurses. Also the pay does not reflect our education and expertise.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020
Pros

I like the work. Chemistry . Serology . Micro . Blood Bank

Cons

Low pay ..No Respect


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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