
A medical diagnostic technician may operate X-ray, computed tomography (CT scan), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and sonography equipment to assist doctors with diagnosing and treating patients. Common tests include those that provide images of the chest, bones, heart, brain and circulatory system.
What does a medical diagnostic technician do?
A medical diagnostic technician may operate X-ray, computed tomography (CT scan), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and sonography equipment to assist doctors with diagnosing and treating patients. Common tests include those that provide images of the chest, bones, heart, brain and circulatory system.
What does a medical lab tech do?
MLTs run tests on blood and bodily fluid that help give doctors answers; answers that can help doctors diagnose what’s wrong before starting a treatment plan. Lab tests aren’t always about helping get a diagnosis though. Sometimes medical lab techs will be testing drug levels in a patient’s blood – why?
What can you do with a medical technician degree?
A medical technician with a four-year degree has many career options, including leadership, management, teaching, and research. Also, many employers favor medical technician candidates with bachelor’s degrees, making it easier to land your first job.
What skills do you need to be a diagnostic technician?
A Diagnostic Technician must have sound knowledge in using technical equipment and adheres to safety regulations when handling any tools. Take a few minutes to create or upgrade your resume. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume.

What would a medical technician do?
A Medical Technician is a medical professional who plays a vital part in the health care industry by providing support for physicians and hospitals. They are responsible for tasks like testing blood in labs or bodily fluids from sweat to tissue samples so doctors can make informed decisions about treatment plans.
What is a diagnostic tech?
A diagnostic technician deals with the inspection, maintenance, servicing and repair of vehicles. Technicians use diagnostic tools to identify the source of a problem and proceed to make the necessary adjustments and repairs.
What are the basic job duties of diagnostic services careers?
Careers in the Diagnostic Services pathway focus on testing and examining patients to help diagnose their illness or injury. These careers work closely with other medical professionals to help guide the plan of care for each patient.
What is an example of a career in the diagnostic services?
Some common careers that fall under diagnostic services include: EKG technician. Phlebotomist. Radiology technician.
What are diagnostic techniques?
Listen to pronunciation. (DY-ug-NAH-stik tek-NEEK) A type of method or test used to help diagnose a disease or condition. Imaging tests and tests to measure blood pressure, pulse, and temperature are examples of diagnostic techniques.
What is automotive diagnostic technician?
An Automotive Diagnostic Technician uses their knowledge, background, and qualifications regarding automobiles and relevant technologies to diagnose, repair, and maintain vehicles that run on gasoline, diesel fuels or electrical power.
What are 5 types of diagnostic careers?
5 Great-Paying Jobs in Diagnostic ServicesMedical/Clinical Laboratory Technician. ... Cardiovascular Technician. ... Cytogenetic Technologist. ... Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. ... Epidemiologists.
What skills do you need to work in diagnostic services?
What are the five skills needed in diagnostic services?...Communication.Problem- Solving.Learning.Creative.Physical Strength.
What skills do you need to be in the medical field?
Interpersonal Skills for Health Care ManagementEmpathy. In health care, it's important that you can empathize with patients and the difficult situations that others are facing. ... Communication Skills. ... Teamwork. ... Work Ethic. ... Stress Management. ... Positive Attitude. ... Flexibility. ... Time Management.More items...•
What salaries and benefits are common for careers in the diagnostic pathway?
While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $134,500 and as low as $19,000, the majority of Diagnostic Services salaries currently range between $35,500 (25th percentile) to $85,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $117,500 annually across the United States.
Which of the following are disadvantages to working in health care?
10 Disadvantages of Being A NurseBeing undervalued. While most believe nurses are trusted, some patients believe physicians are needed to help them.Difficult patients. ... Difficult co-workers. ... Stress. ... Working long days. ... Difficult conditions. ... Physical demands. ... Emotional strain.More items...•
In which workplace can diagnostics services workers be found?
Diagnostic Servicesworkers may work in private facilities, government run facilities, or non-profit facilities, such as hospitals, clinics, and laboratories.
What does it mean to be a medical tech?
As a medical technician , you'll generally perform preparatory and support work for the technologists you work alongside. That may mean getting machines ready for use, prepping patients for procedures and the like. You might also perform standard procedures like taking patient EKGs or X-rays. Depending on the field in which you work, licensing or certification may be required, especially if you work with radiation. Even if certification isn't legally required, some employers may prefer candidates who've obtained it. Diagnostic technicians often have an associate's degree in their field.
What does a cardiology tech do?
Cardiovascular technicians perform stress tests, electrocardiographs (EKGs) and other non-invasive tests. Cardiovascular technologists perform both non-invasive and invasive tests. These may include sonography or echocardiography, as well as more complicated tasks assisting physicians with catheterization, heart surgery or angioplasty.
What is a lab tech?
Lab technicians are entry-level workers and perform less complicated diagnostic tests than technologists. As a technician, you would generally prepare specimens and work under a lab manager or technologist. Lab technologists conduct complex tests related to blood and body fluids (including immunologic, microscopic and biological analysis).
What degree do you need to become a nuclear medicine technologist?
It's advisable to obtain at least an associate’s degree, unless you're already a working healthcare professional with a degree. Certification is a voluntary but recommended step and many states require licensing, so you should check local regulations.
How long does it take to become a cardiac tech?
Nurse’s aides often receive on-the-job training to become cardiac technicians, while technologists must complete at least a 2-year training program.
How to become a technologist?
To become a technician, you must complete either a vocational certificate or associate's degree program. Technologists need a bachelor's degree in medical technology or biological sciences. Certification in either field will generally improve your job prospects, and you may need to be licensed or registered in your state.
Is medical diagnostics a growth sector?
Medical diagnostics and treatment represent a very strong growth sector due in part to the aging baby boomer generation. Continuing education, specialization and complementary studies and training are key assets if you want to maximize your allure as a potential hire.
What is diagnostic technician?
Diagnostic Technicians are specialists in the inspecting, maintenance, and repair of equipment or service. Diagnostic Technicians can be working in the automotive sector, inspecting and repairing cars, to performing ultrasound procedures in the healthcare industry. Their duties include analyzing and collecting data, calibrating equipment, performing diagnostic tests and repairs, and organizing work records and reports. A Diagnostic Technician must have sound knowledge in using technical equipment and adheres to safety regulations when handling any tools.
How many diagnostic technicians will be there in 2028?
In fact, the number of diagnostic technician opportunities that are predicted to open up by 2028 is 23,300.
What system performs image evaluation?
Perform image evaluation with the PACS system and Infinitt system.
What is medical diagnostic technology?
This field is about the study of technology used in the diagnosis, prevention, monitoring and treatment of a disease or an injury or handicap. Medical technology includes the use of an instrument, apparatus, appliance, software or material for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes.
Why is optometry important?
Optometrists play an important role in deciphering these clues. For those who want to climb the career ladder, the field of opt ometry is exceptional. They are in demand in both government and private hospitals. Read more here.
What can a medical technician do?
Medical technicians who pursue further training and certification can specialize in fields like the analysis of skin samples for cancer and performing vascular ultrasound. This type of specialization is one way to increase marketability in the work force as well as the rate of compensation. Certification and educational requirements vary based on the field of specialization.
What is the job of a medical tech?
Most medical technicians work under supervision. Those who work in laboratories do so under the supervision of medical technologists, while those who work in direct patient care do so under the supervision of doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers.
What is the job growth rate for health techs in 2029?
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, job growth between 2019 and 2029 for health technicians and technologists broadly will be 8%. For cardiovascular technologists, growth is expected to be 5%. For EMTs it is predicted to be 6%, and for surgical technicians 7%.
What is the job of a radiation technician?
Radiology and ultrasound technicians whose job is to administer x-rays, ultrasounds, CAT scans, and MRIs for patients. Surgical technicians who are part of the surgical team and assist in preparation for the surgery, performing the surgery, and caring for patients after the procedures. In addition to these positions, ...
How to become a medical technologist?
Some medical technicians go on to become medical technologists by completing a four-year undergraduate program in medical technology or a related field. Others may also decide to pursue higher degrees in the sciences, such as a master’s or doctoral degree, or may even enroll in medical school. Having work experience in medical laboratories or patient care is a good stepping-stone towards an advanced career in healthcare.
What do medical technicians need to know?
All medical technicians need to have an aptitude for and an interest in science. They must feel fully comfortable with complex and evolving technology. And these technicians must possess excellent attention to detail.
How much does a cardiovascular technologist make?
The BLS states that the median salary for a cardiovascular technologist is $59,100, for an EMT it is $36,650 and for a surgical technician it is $49,710. The job outlook for medical technicians is very positive.
What is a medical lab tech?
A Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT), also referred to as a medical lab tech, or clinical laboratory technician, can work in diagnostic labs, doctor’s offices and hospitals. MLTs run tests on blood and bodily fluid that help give doctors answers; answers that can help doctors diagnose what’s wrong before starting a treatment plan.
Where do medical lab technicians work?
Many medical laboratory technicians work in hospitals, while some clock in at independent medical and diagnostic labs, or doctors’ offices, or at colleges and universities. Many labs are open 24/7, so it’s not unusual for medical laboratory technicians to work evenings, weekends, or even overnight shifts.
What is the difference between a medical lab technologist and a medical lab technologist?
Most of the time technicians do more of the daily, usually automated tests, while medical lab technologists do more detailed manual tests and prepare specimens. The other difference is an important one to know – if you become a medical laboratory technician your boss may be a medical laboratory technologist!
How long does it take to become a medical lab tech?
Doing lab tests can be pretty intense so medical lab techs need an associate degree from a Medical Laboratory Technician program [2] like the one at Carrington College, which can take about two years [3] to complete. To become a medical laboratory technologist, the more senior job we talked about, you typically need a four year bachelor’s degree.
What are the duties of a lab technician?
Medical Lab Technician Job Duties & Responsibilities 1 Conduct tests that help doctors detect, diagnose and treat illness and disease 2 Examine and analyze bodily fluids 3 Draw blood samples for testing 4 Assess chemical make-up of urine 5 Match blood types for transfusions 6 Test for drug levels in blood
Why do labs test blood?
Lab tests aren’t always about helping get a diagnosis though. Sometimes medical lab techs will be testing drug levels in a patient’s blood – why? To see how they’re responding to a specific drug or treatment.
What is the purpose of conducting tests?
Conduct tests that help doctors detect, diagnose and treat illness and disease
What does a lab tech do?
They work under the supervision of physicians, lab managers or lab technologists to conduct lab tests on specimens. The work they do behind-the-scenes helps doctors detect diseases or illnesses and determine treatment options. Though you may not frequently come into contact with a medical lab tech as a patient, ...
How long does it take to become a medical lab tech?
1. The good news is that some medical lab tech programs can be completed in as few as 21 months. 3 This training will provide a well-rounded knowledge of the field.
What is a MLT in healthcare?
Becoming a medical laboratory technician (MLT) is one of those opportunities.

Patient Care
- Besides checking, maintaining and operating diagnostic imaging equipment, you will also work with patients, helping them get ready for the required tests. This can include explaining the tests, asking and answering questions required before diagnostic imaging, and getting patients into th…
Data Collection and Analysis
- This job requires you to keep accurate records, as physicians need them to diagnose and treat patients. You need to record test data and input it into a data management system. Likewise, this job may require you to file X-ray films and other test records based on company policies. Your job might also involve providing basic data analysis and producing reports based on the tests results.
Education
- You typically need to complete diagnostic imaging training to become a medical diagnostic technician. You can find preparatory certificate programs, which often last 12 months or less, and associate degree programs, which last an average of two years. Programs might focus on a particular area, such as sonography, radiological technology or nuclear medicine technology, or t…
Licensing and Certification
- Some employers may give preference to candidates who've earned certification through an organization like The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. To gain certification, you must complete an approved, accredited training program and pass a certification exam. In addition, some states require medical diagnostic technicians to gain licensing. Though requirem…