Ten Rules to Survive Medical Technology Education

This is adopted from a medical technologist named Janice L. Putnam on how to survive education in Medical Technology:


1. Be honest with yourself and others – the career you have chosen is one that requires personal integrity and absolute honesty. As a medical technologist, you will be part of a patient care team. It will be your responsibility to perform accurate tests and interpret them carefully so that physicians and other health care workers can determine an appropriate course of patient treatment. If honest work is your policy while in school, it will carry over into your work as a practicing medical technologist. Copying or cheating in school is of course, dishonest and may be grounds for dismissal. However, as a medical technologist, cheating is much more serious, because it will be harmful to the well-being of the patient. Always think of your work as providing service to others. Make a commitment to give the same quality service to patients that you would expect to receive as patient.


2. Practice respect for your fellow classmates – you and your classmates are pursuing a mutual goal – graduation in the field of medical technology. Along the way, you will spend numerous hours together in lecture, in laboratories and between classes. Some of you will become close friends; others will not share the same closeness. Each student however is unique and any differences among students should be respected. Competition, jealousy and other personal conflicts benefit no one. As a professional, you will also have contact with people from varied backgrounds and personalities. If you learn to respect the differences among your classmates, you will be more kind, gentle and caring of both the patients and other health care providers you will work with as a medical technologist.


3. Never hesitate to ask for help from your instructors – the information presented in lectures and practiced in the laboratory is sometimes intense. It may be difficult to comprehend the details, even when reviewing lecture notes and laboratory experiments after class. The main goal of instructors is to educate qualified medical technologists. If you do not understand the material presented, make an appointment to see the instructor. No question is too trivial and most instructors will gladly take the time to help you understand.


4. Budget your time wisely – the high cost of college education leaves most students with no choice but to work in addition to attending classes and studying. Wise utilization of each day is important for successful completion of a program. If outside work is a financial necessity, try to find a job with some flexibility, so that as class schedules change, you can adjust your work schedule accordingly. Attending classes, finishing assigned homework and studying should be your primary priority. While it is important to be financially secure, do not allow outside employment to jeopardize your ultimate goal.


5. Take care of your health – the demands of college course work can be exhausting. It is important to take care of your health in order to function at your fullest capacity. A healthy diet, regular exercise and an adequate amount of sleep will keep you alert and energetic enough to meet the challenges of a Medical Technology program.


6. Always view new information with a questioning mind – a medical technologist is a scientist. A scientist learning new information should want to know not only what it means, but also how it came about and how it can be expanded upon. As a Medical Technology student, you will be presented with new material every day. Rather than just memorizing the facts for an exam, question what you have learned. Discuss it with fellow students and with your instructors. Expand upon it. Success and personal satisfaction in your career will come about if you learn to think as a scientist.


7. Listen to upperclass students, but use your own best judgment – whether or not you choose to accept upperclassmen’s words as sacred should be determined by your own experiences. An unpleasant experience or encounter for one student is hardly reason for other to form prejudices. Enter every class and meet every new instructor with an open mind. Then, based on your experiences, you may agree or disagree with the opinions of upperclass students.


8. Never stop learning – Medical Technology is an ever-changing profession with newer methods, better technology and increasing responsibilities. It is imperative that as a graduate, you continue to learn so that you may progress further in your profession. Continuing education may be the farthest thought from your mind while an undergraduate. However, you must think ahead toward directions that will broaden your future as a professional.


9. Take time for fun – extracurricular enjoyment is essential for ones mental and physical health. While it is important to put forth your best effort as a student, it is impossible to learn every detail. Sometimes, you need to take a break. Go to a movie, have dinner with a friend, engage in a hobby or sports activity you enjoy, or sit back and watch TV. Relax your mind when the need arises. You will then be better able to enjoy learning.


10. Act as a professional – the 1st 9 rules are guide towards becoming a professional. Integrate them into your life. Do not ignore laboratory test results that are out of control range or do not make sense. Learn how to resolve these and other problems. Treat all patients humanely by putting aside personal matters or prejudices that might otherwise interfere. Keep yourself well-groomed, well-mannered and able to get along with others. Keep up to date on the latest advances in diagnostic medicine. Practice the knowledge and skills you have acquired in order to assure quality patient care and always act as a profession medical technologist.