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Medical Technology

Biomedical Science C-206
1960 East-West Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-8557
Fax: (808) 956-5506
Web: hawaiimed.hawaii.edu/departments/medtech

Faculty

* Graduate Faculty

• P. L. Taylor, MS (Chair)--medical technology
• N. N. Ebisu, BS--medical technology
• K. K. Hamamoto, BS--medical technology
• K. K. Morton, BS--medical technology
• D. Y. Teshima, MPH--medical technology
• *A. G. Theriault, PhD--clinical chemistry

Degree and Certificate Offered: BS in medical technology, Post-baccalaureate Certificate for Clinical Training

The Academic Program

Medical technology (MEDT) is a health-care profession in which medical technologists (clinical laboratory scientists) perform laboratory procedures used for the promotion of health and the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of diseases. Technical skills needed to carry out the tasks include microscopy, venipuncture, manipulation of various labware, and operation of automated instruments. Results of these procedures are essential to the delivery of quality health care. The field is broad and involves several disciplines: chemistry, hematology, immunohematology (blood banking), immunology, and microbiology.

Medical technology is a constantly evolving profession. The continued development of the health-care industry and the emergence of other career opportunities have sustained the demand for clinical laboratory scientists. Employment opportunities exist in hospitals, clinics, physician's offices, reference laboratories, DNA labs, research, education, forensic medicine, industry, consulting, sales, marketing, veterinary medicine, and many more areas.

Admission Requirements
Courses listed in the first two years of the curriculum are required before admission to the medical technology program. Clinical laboratory scientists perform various procedures which directly impact patient care, so it is important that all applicants be able to perform certain essential functions (technical standards). With appropriate accommodations, if needed, everyone must be able to perform the activities listed below. Additional professional skills are taught in classes after admission.

• Manipulate labware to transfer or prepare reagents and samples (e.g., pipet, charge hemocytometer, prepare blood smear)
• Operate simple instruments according to instructions (e.g., cell counter, centrifuge, spectrophotometer)
• Perform microscopic examinations on various specimens and report the results (e.g., leukocyte differential count, cell morphology, urinary sediments)
• Follow written or verbal directions to perform laboratory tests and report results

Applicants are assessed through performance in MEDT and other courses, an interview, an essay, and personal evaluations. Academic record, interests and aptitude, communication skills, scientific orientation, and personal traits are also considered.

Other Requirements
Medical technology majors are required to have professional liability insurance, which costs about $40 per year. Also, immunization for Hepatitus B virus is highly recommended.

Advising

Students are encouraged to see a medical technology adviser as soon as possible and prior to each registration period. Appointments can be made by contacting the division office.

Clinical Training

Clinical training at affiliated clinical facilities follows graduation. Positions at our affiliated sites are limited, but there are other accredited facilities in the continental United States. A certificate is awarded at the completion of this training.

Accreditation and Affiliations

The program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.

Clinical affiliations are with the Blood Bank of Hawai'i, Hawai'i State Department of Health, Diagnostic Laboratory Services, Hilo Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, St. Francis Medical Center, Tripler Army Medical Center, Castle Medical Center, Clinical Laboratories of Hawai'i, Kapi'olani Medical Center, Kaua'i Veterans Memorial Hospital, Kona Community Hospital, Kuakini Medical Center, Maui Memorial Hospital, Straub Clinic and Hospital, Tri-City Medical Center, University Health Services Manoa, Wahiawa General Hospital, Wai'anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, and Wilcox Memorial Hospital.

Certification and Licensure

After clinical training, students are eligible to take a national certification exam. In Hawai'i, state licensure is also required.

Undergraduate Study

Bachelor's Degree 

Requirements

• Complete the degree requirements that satisfy the University's General Education Core requirements and program requirements
• Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
• Submit by the specified deadline an application for graduation to the Cashier's Office during the semester preceding the awarding of the degree 

Curriculum for Medical Technology

First Semester

• CHEM 161/161L (3/1)
• BIOL 171/171L (3/1)
• ENG 100 (3)
• +MEDT 151 (2)
• Core/Language/Electives 

Second Semester

• CHEM 162/162L (3/1)
• PHYS 151/151L (3/1)
• HIST 151 (3)
• MATH 241 (4)
• Core/Language/Electives

Third Semester

• CHEM 272/272L (3/2)
• +MEDT 251 (2)
• PHYS 152/152L (3/1)
• HIST 152 (3)
• Core/Language/Electives

Fourth Semester

• CHEM 274/274L (3/2)
• MICR 351/351L (3/2)
• SP 151 (3) or SP 251 (3)
• Core/Language/Electives

Fifth Semester

• PHYL 301 (4)
• BIOC 441 (4)
• +MEDT 301 (3)
• Core/Language/Electives

Sixth Semester

• PHYL 302 (4)
• +MEDT 471 (4)
• +MEDT 302 (3)
• +MEDT 431 (3)
• Core/Language/Electives

Summer Session

• +MEDT 366 (2)

Seventh Semester

• +MEDT 331 (1)
• +MEDT 451 (3)
• +MEDT 457/457L (3/2)
• +MICR 461/461L (3/2)

Eighth Semester

• +MEDT 464 (3)
• +MEDT 458/458L (3/2)
• +MICR 463/463L (3/2)
• Core/Language/Electives

Post-baccalaureate Study

• Certificate for Clinical Training
• +MEDT 591 (26)

+ Note: Grade of C or equivalent is required for courses highlighted with "+".

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