In addition, technologists in particular are expected to be good at problem solving. Meticulous personal hygiene and a fanatical regard for cleanliness and safety are a must for all healthcare workers. The usual requirement for an entry level position as a medical or clinical laboratory technologist is a bachelor's degree with a major in medical technology or in one of the life sciences. Universities and hospitals offer medical technology programs. Bachelor's degree programs in medical technology include courses in chemistry, biological sciences, microbiology, and mathematics, and specialized courses devoted to knowledge and skills used in the clinical laboratory.
Many programs also offer or require courses in management, business, and computer applications.
Masters degrees in medical technology and related clinical laboratory sciences provide training for specialized areas of laboratory work or teaching, administration, or research. Medical and clinical laboratory technicians generally have either an associate's degree from a community or junior college, or a certificate from a hospital, vocational or technical school, or from one of the Armed Forces. A few technicians learn on the job. National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences fully accredits 621, and approves 72 programs that provide education for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, cytotechnologists, histologic technicians, specialists in blood bank technology, and medical and clinical laboratory technicians. Some States require laboratory personnel to be licensed or registered.