Medical Technology is an exciting career choice if you have a strong background and interest in chemistry or biology. While training in the hospital laboratory, you will study the body’s immune system, components of blood, and you will investigate the causes of infectious disease.

Careers in medical technology are available in clinical/hospital laboratories, physician offices, research laboratories, public health centers, veterinary offices, crime/forensic laboratories, medical sales, education and industry.

The School of Medical Technology at Palmetto Health Baptist

The School of Medical Technology provides an intensive year of study leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology or serving as a post-graduate year. Training includes didactic lectures and extensive practical experience under the direction of pathologists and certified medical technologists.

Enrollment in the program is kept small in order to allow for personal instruction with each student. The high instructor-to-student ratio enables us to provide the best available medical technology training.

Upon completion of the program, a student should have entry-level competencies of a medical technologist and will be eligible to take national certification exams. Graduation is not contingent on passing any national certification exam.

Curriculum

Blood Bank (1 hour lecture, 4 hours lab)
Identify antibodies and match donor to patient blood to ensure safe transfusion.

Chemistry (3 hours lecture, 6 hours lab)
Analyze the chemical composition of normal and abnormal blood and other body fluids.

Hematology (2 hours lecture, 5 hours lab)
Count, describe, and identify cells in blood and other body fluids

Immunology (1 hour lecture, lab with Chemistry)
Study biological defenses against viruses and allergy-causing agents.

Management/Education (1 hour lecture)
Basic theory and practice.

Microbiology (2 hours lecture, 6 hours lab)
Identify micro-organisms, such as bacteria, and effective antibiotics.

Parasitology (1 hour lecture)
Identify parasites, primarily pathogenic.

Accreditation

NAACLS
8410 West Bryn Mawr, Suite 670
Chicago, IL 60631-3415
1-773-714-8880

Qualifications for Admission

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or three years of undergraduate work in an affiliated college or university. College preparatory work must include: 16 hours of chemistry including organic or biochemistry; 16 hours of biology including microbiology and immunology (preferably as separate coursers); and 3 hours of non-remedial math. Course work in computer science, molecular biology, genetics, parasitology, statistics and anatomy/physiology is beneficial but not required. Some of these courses are required by academic affiliates. Applicants completing courses more than seven years ago must update their academic preparation. Contact the program director for more information. For admission, applicants will need a minimum overall GPA of 2.75. For more information, call (803) 296-5014.

Application

1. A completed application form.
2. Official college transcripts.
3. Three letters of recommendation.
4. Applicants whose first language is not English must submit official TOEFL scores.

Application deadlines are April 1 for the July class and October 1 for the January class. Selected applicants will be notified for a personal interview.

All applicants are considered equally without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, veteran’s status, or disability.

Facts about the School of Medical Technology

Year started - 1963

Length of course - 12 months

Books - $500

Tuition - $1,000 per year

Uniforms - Furnished by student

Admission - January and July

Affiliations Erskine College Lander University Newberry College University of South Carolina

For the past 40 years, we have had a 97 percent pass rate on the national certifying exam given by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP).

Palmetto Health Baptist

In its more than 90-year history, Palmetto Health Baptist has seen monumental change, evolving from a two-building 70-bed hospital into a multi-complex, state-of-the-art medical center dedicated to providing regional comprehensive health care.

In February 1998, Palmetto Health Baptist became part of the Palmetto Health, a locally controlled health care system serving central South Carolina. Palmetto Health is comprised of Palmetto Health Baptist in Columbia and Easley, and Palmetto Health Richland in Columbia.