Medical Technology at USP
Why USP?
Your Life as a Medical Technologist
Your Future in Medical Technology
Hands-on Learning at USP
Learn from the Best
The Curriculum
Professional Connections
For More Information

Medical Technology at USP

Would you like to be a medical detective, searching for clues to a patient diagnosis? Do you want to work with state-of-the-art instrumentation and technology? If so, the B.S. in Medical Technology program at USP can provide you with the skills and know-how you need to succeed in this dynamic field of science.

Why USP?

The Medical Technology program combines in-depth theory with hands-on experience. Our program will provide you with a solid foundation in the natural and physical sciences, while allowing you to apply what you learn in a variety of settings.

At USP, you will be able to:

• Understand and appreciate the responsibilities of medical technologists through class discussions and on-site lab visits.
• Solve problems through a variety of tests and clinical experiments.
• Demonstrate proficiency in computer science and writing.
• Participate in faculty-directed research.
• Obtain a dual degree. USP offers an optional five-year dual degree program in Biology and Medical Technology.

Your Life as a Medical Technologist

As a medical technology professional, also known as a clinical laboratory scientist, you will perform routine and complex tests via sophisticated instrumentation to detect, diagnosis and treat diseases. You'll talk with other members of a health care team in establishing and monitoring new patient testing and ensuring quality patient care.

Upon completion of the medical technology program, you might work in a:

• Hospital laboratory
• Public health laboratory
• Forensic (crime) lab
• Research center
• Blood bank
• Medical office
• Health care system clinic
• College or University

Your Future in Medical Technology

Medical technologists are in high demand. The health care industry is putting an emphasis on diagnosing and treating diseases, and who is capable of operating the complex tests and equipment to handle this major responsibility? That's right -- medical technologists. According to "U.S. News & World Report," medical technology is one of the top-20 jobs of the future.

Nearly 100% of USP's medical technology alumni report that USP has prepared them well for their current positions. Employers don't call us for our graduates, they call to hire our current students.

This year's graduating class received starting salaries between $40,000 and $45,000.

Hands-on Learning at USP

You will gain laboratory experience during your first semester and throughout your enrollment at USP. You will hone your skills through an internship experience at a hospital laboratory. USP's affiliated laboratories are located in the following health care institutions:

• Graduate Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
• Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
• Florida Hospital, Orlando, FL
• St. Vincent's Medical Center, Jacksonville, FL
• Thomas Jefferson Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
• Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
• WCA Hospital, Jamestown, NY

Learn from the best

You'll learn alongside your professors in the laboratory, performing tests and gathering data as a professional medical technologist would. The faculty members you'll learn from and seek advice are trained scientists and researchers. USP also has the only hospital-based medical technology program in Pennsylvania that has a certified medical technologist as director and advisor.

You'll have access to faculty across the University for both teaching and mentoring. Faculty within Misher College of Arts and Sciences are available to share their professional experiences with you.

The Curriculum

You'll acquire a broad knowledge of basic and health sciences during your first three years. In your fourth year, we will assist you in gaining admission into an approved hospital school for your clinical rotation. You'll spend 12 months gaining invaluable experience working in state-of-the-art facilities with the latest medical equipment and devices.

During your senior internship, you will rotate through the specialized departments in the clinical laboratory, such as hematology, blood bank or immunohematology, microbiology, serology or immunology and clinical chemistry. Others areas of study are endocrinology, urinalysis, pathology, instrumentation, quality control, laboratory computer systems, transplantation labs, and fertility studies. Also, many students obtain part-time jobs in some of these labs as early as their second year

Through the medical technology program, you will learn to:

• Distinguish cellular blood components (red cells, white cells, and platelets) and disorders associated with theses cells and the blood forming tissues, such as anemia and leukemia.
• Perform blood and tissue typing, crossmatching and many other transfusion and transplantation services.
• Differentiate the causative agents of disease (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites), and determine bacterial sensitivity or resistance to antibiotics.
• Diagnose viral and bacterial diseases by using the principles of immune reactions.
• Identify and measure minuscule amounts of chemicals in the body necessary for its proper function through qualitative and quantitative analyses.
• Perform many other specialized tests such as chromosomal studies, in-vitro fertilization and DNA analysis.

First Year

• Medical Technology Orientation I and II
• Introduction to Biology I and II
• General Chemistry/Lab I and II
• Introduction to Literature
• College Composition
• Physical Education I and II
• Core Distribution Elective
• Core Distribution Requirement

Second Year

• Medical Technology Seminar
• Basics of Microbiology
• Clinical Microbiology
• Organic Chemistry/ Lab I and II
• Survey of Physics
• Intellectual Heritage I and II
• Social Science Fundamental Requirements
• Core Distribution Requirement

Third Year

• Hematology
• Human Parasitology
• Clinical Immunology
• Genetics
• Functional Human Anatomy and Histology
• Molecular Structures in Biochemistry
• Introduction to Communication
• Core Elective
• Medical Technology Elective
• Core Distribution Requirements

Fourth Year

36 to 38 credits taken at an approved hospital school, which includes rotations through:

• Clinical Hematology/Coagulation
• Clinical Immunohematology
• Clinical Chemistry
• Clinical Immunology/Serology
• Clinical Microbiology
• Clinical Seminar

Total credits: 139-141

Professional Connections

You will have the opportunity to participate in the Student Society of Medical Technology or join other related student clubs, such as the Pre-Medical Society or the American Institute of Biological Sciences. Through these professional organizations, you will meet alumni and other professionals in science, go on field trips, establish networking opportunities and have fun while learning

For more information…

To learn more about the Medical Technology program, contact the Admission Office at 1-888-996-USIP (8747), e-mail admit@usip.edu, or fill out our online information request form.

Admission Office
American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)