Christian Schools with Medical Technology

By Calli Wolfenden, Staff Writer
 

Medical technology is the marriage of medicine and technology to improve the accuracy of diagnosis, medical research, and treatment. A medical technology degree prepares students with knowledge in chemistry, biology, microbiology, and all things clinical science, and partners that with technical proficiency. Medical technology is where we have breakthroughs in cancer treatments, vaccinations, miracle drugs, and preventative medicine. The impact of the field is easy to see and remarkable.

Choosing to major in medical technology at a Christian college allows you to bridge the divide between faith and science. You’re taught with the unique perspective that God is not separate from scientific discovery or principles, but rather the author of them. Your work becomes more than just humanitarian, but an expression of the love of God on others, seen in how you work for healing and recovery. At a Christian college, you have the unique opportunity to grow spiritually, academically, and can build a voice for Jesus in the scientific community.

A list of potential careers for someone who chooses to major in medical technology:

• Medical Laboratory Scientist/Clinical Laboratory Scientist: A Medical/Clinical Laboratory Scientist runs complex tests on blood, tissue, and bodily fluid to help diagnose, treat, and monitor illnesses and diseases in patients. They work with advanced technology and procedures, interpreting and relaying results to doctors, and ensure accuracy and quality through the regular testing of the technology.
• Microbiologist: Microbiologists study microorganisms to see how they grow, and interact with/affect humans, animals, and other living things. In the field of medicine, the work of a microbiologist is used to identify and study infectious microorganisms and determine how best to treat them. Their work is essential to finding treatment, medicine, and preventative measures for disease and illness.
• Cytotechnologist: A Cytotechnologist studies cells to detect abnormalities and diseases. They especially look for signs of cancer in cells, or things that may indicate precancerous cells. Their samples come from body fluids, tissue, and smears. Cytotechnologists play a key role in making accurate and detailed diagnoses that lead to determining the best course of treatment.
• Histotechnologist: Histotechnologists work with tissue samples, preparing them for examination and testing. Depending on the type of testing or examination to be done, they may section, stain, or embed the samples to preserve or make the tissue structures easier to see. They work closely with pathologists, who study the cells looking for signs of disease or illness.
• Forensic Laboratory Scientist: A Forensic Laboratory Scientist analyzes physical evidence from a crime scene to determine the “how” and the “who” in a crime. They use scientific techniques and advanced technology to analyze blood, DNA, hair, fibers, drugs, tissue, and other substances to provide objective data in investigations for court proceedings. Their work is essential for the integrity of the justice system.
• Phlebotomists: Phlebotomists are medical professionals who draw blood from patients for testing, analysis, transfusions, donations, or research. They are in charge of proper labeling, handling, and storage of blood samples. Their work is important for the diagnosis of patients.

While national placement rates are not available for the medical technology degree, many colleges and universities report very high rates for their graduates. The potential careers for this degree path are largely in the medical field, naturally, which often results in relatively high potential earnings. The median annual income for careers with a medical technology degree, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is $61,890. With that in mind, how can you best prepare yourself in college to ensure that your career-landing after graduation is successful?

As with many fields, one of the most important things to do to propel yourself into a career with a medical technology degree is to gain relevant experience. Many medically involved careers have “clinicals,” which is basically supervised work in their field within a healthcare institution, like a hospital or lab. In this case, completing clinical lab rotations in a hospital is absolutely essential. These are done through connections that your school has and are a required part of most accredited programs. If you are able to get summer internships within the “medical technology” field as well, that can also be a massive boost to your resume.

Depending on the specific work you plan to do, many careers that stem from a medical technology degree require certification or licensure of some sort. Completing those before you graduate, or directly after, is crucial to being able to work in the field. Keep in mind, different jobs may require different certifications/licensure, so do the research early to understand what may be required for your goals.

Networking and creating contacts is always a good strategy and—thanks to clinicals—you have a relatively unique opportunity to network with the hospital(s) connected to your school’s program. Don’t take it for granted. Get to know your supervisors, peers, professors, and anyone that you may work with, including in other internships/jobs. Having a contact in the field can give you inside information on new positions opening up (and give you the opportunity to fill them) before they are ever posted. Nurturing a professional network, especially one that can see you grow throughout college, is also a great way to secure solid references for future employers. You can also join national or local organizations that focus on medical technology or something similar, such as the ASCLS (American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science), which can offer you attendance to conferences, fairs, and other networking opportunities.

A career with a medical technology degree requires keen attention to detail and technical proficiency. You’ll need to be able not only to operate and know your way around some advanced medical devices, but also to read the results from someone’s lab work in careful detail. Each result is unique and even the smallest changes in different levels of certain hormones, chemicals, or substances in someone’s results can have vastly different meanings. It’s imperative that you are attentive to the smallest detail and able to communicate the results clearly and compassionately. The ability to work in groups or as part of a unit is also necessary, as often, in the medical field and in this area specifically, you’ll be working with patients, doctors, nurses, and more, and for the safety and well-being of others, you’ll need to know how to work efficiently and smoothly as a unit/teammate. These characteristics, and more, will prepare someone well for a career in the medical field, or even potentially in a ministry setting.

Work Cited:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicians.htm (visited September 15, 2025).
• Maki, Jennifer. “Top 10 Skills You Need to Succeed as a MED Lab Technologist.” Anderson College | Be Job Ready in Months, 5 Feb. 2025, www.andersoncollege.com/top-10-skills-you-need-to-succeed-as-a-med-lab-technologist/.

By Calli Wolfenden, Staff Writer
 

Luke 10:34
“He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.”

Matthew 10:7-8
“As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.”

The skills and knowledge that come with a medical technology degree can be incredibly beneficial in mission’s work especially. Whether with a Christian health ministry or emergency aid missions, these individuals would be able to lend medical knowledge, run lab tests, providing training, and medical education. Their ability to read charts, diagnose based off results, and to run these complicate machines has clear benefit in these ministries/mission trips that seek to provide medical assistance while displaying the love of God.

Within a church community, someone with a medical technology degree could volunteer for church-supported medical events, provide valuable medical education to church members or as part of a community outreach, and can be the go-between for a church and a Christian Health organization. They could also become a voice in the conversation of medical ethics and how we can keep within Biblical ethics and morality while the medical field constantly advances and brings in new technology and procedures.

Careers that come from a medical technology degree, whether in the world of medicine or ministry, have the potential for profound and life-saving impact. If you are highly detail-oriented, technically proficient, great at communicating and working with others, and have a passion for helping people, then perhaps the Lord is calling you to pursue a medical technology degree!