What do you think of the Med Tech route?

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Just wondering about maybe doing this first but not sure. Just something I am tossing around. What do they do and how much do they make? Is it like a LVN or totally different. Is the schooling easier?

It is mostly Dr's Offices right?

THanks,

Brandi

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No, a med tech is not like an LVN. Med techs are not nurses.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hi Brandi - may I ask what your ultimate goal is? If its nursing, then I would go the CNA to RN route. A med assistant is usually employed at a physician's office and they are more task-oriented. They are not nurses nor is their education nursing in nature. Again, if nursing is your ultimate goal, I would go CNA to RN, preferably BSN.

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Oh I know they are not nurses and I wasnt trying to say they were. I just know they work in Dr's offices and draw blood,take blood pressure and things like that. I was just trying to get a better idea of exactly what there job is. I was thinking it may be a less stressful way to get into the medical field since I have 2 young children. RN is going to be a long hard road.

Thanks,

Brandi

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Specializes in Corrections, neurology, dialysis.

Check out this link to see what a medical technologist does.

http://www.amt1.com/site/epage/15307_315.htm

Frankly, I don't have the math or science skills to be able to get that training. I'm being realistic.

But it looks like it's mostly performing tests and there is no patient contact at all.

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Specializes in Brain injury,vent,peds ,geriatrics,home.
Check out this link to see what a medical technologist does.

http://www.amt1.com/site/epage/15307_315.htm

Frankly, I don't have the math or science skills to be able to get that training. I'm being realistic.

But it looks like it's mostly performing tests and there is no patient contact at all.

Learn something new every day.I didnt realize that you needed a bachelors degree to be a med tech.

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I'm a student at a private college that offers classes for both LPN & Medical Assistants, which is what I believe you are talking about. Medical Technologists is different & require much more education.

From what I observe at our school, the MAs mostly learn how to draw blood & run some lab tests. From what I can see, drawing blood is the big difference. As LPN students, that is not in our training. I know that if I end up working in a clinical setting, this skill wil be taught to me anyway. They do have patient contact. In my area they are, in some offices, replacing the LPNs (unfortunately). They tend to (right or wrong) attempt to do the nursing jobs with an emphasis on the clerical part. Many receive a good portion of their training on the job and a lot of doctors have no problem with using them as nurses(some even refer to them as a nurse!).

At my school it's a 2 year course, while the LPN is 11 months. I have been told they have a difficult time finding jobs and the pay is low, usually less than $10 an hour. Every term a bunch of MA students transfer to the nursing program. No matter where they are in their program, finishing the 1st term or even graduating, if they transfer, they drop into the beginning or, if they have CNA expereince, 2nd term of the nursing program.

At our school they are required to take A&P1&2, just like the nursing students. The same nursing instructor teaches both sections. She has commented that they have a much harder time passing the class. I remember at least one instance where almost all failed a test that almost all of the nursing students aced. I don't mean to imply that they are "dumb" but rather that this particular group of students didn't take it quite as seriously. They don't feel that knowing the various systems is as important as it is for us. I do know that if they were for some reason unable to be there for their class session, they could ocassionally join us for our class but we couldn't go to theirs because our lectures are aimed at nurses & what we'd need to know.

This is not to say that MAs are not good or not well trained. I have seen some very good ones. Too bad they aren't nurses.

Dixie

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Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.

hi,

Med techs work in labatories testing different body fluids for abnormalities. It requires a batchelors degree and I am guess the pay depends on the state. Like the others said med tech has nothing to do with nursing, maybe your were thinking of a medical assistant? If you mean medical assistant the school is waaay over priced and they will try and tell you you will make as much as a nurse, but they make about 10.00 and hour maybe a dollar or two more. Stick with the nursing school.

Swtooth

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Specializes in Corrections, neurology, dialysis.
Oh I know they are not nurses and I wasnt trying to say they were. I just know they work in Dr's offices and draw blood,take blood pressure and things like that. I was just trying to get a better idea of exactly what there job is. I was thinking it may be a less stressful way to get into the medical field since I have 2 young children. RN is going to be a long hard road.

Thanks,

Brandi

I think what you are talking about is a medical assistant. There are a few forums here that talk about the pros and cons of becoming a medical assistant.

Some MA's have expressed frustration at having to pay a lot of money for an education only to find out they don't make very much money as an MA. I think one person said that in the same amount of time it takes to become an MA, she could have gone to LVN school and ended up making more money. Others have talked about how MA programs are more expensive than even nursing school, which is frustrating considering that LVNs earn more. It doesn't seem fair.

There are lots of MA schools that will promise you the sun, moon and stars but the reality is different. Many of them have ads on TV that appeal to a person's greed as a way of justifying the high cost. Visit the thread to read more comments about the MA experience.

https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/medical-assistants-213825.html

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Med Techs usually work at an outside lab, and there is a difference between a Medical Technician and a Medical Technologist.

A Medical Technician requires an Associate degree, and works under a Medical Technologist.

A Medical Technologist requires a Bachelor degree, at minimum.

There is also a HUGE difference in pay, and you have every little patient contact, if any. Usually a nurse or someone else takes the tissue or fluid sample and brings it to you.

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