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Did you know that the healthcare industry is the fastest-growing industry looking for employees in the United States? So, if you’re choosing between a career in Biotechnology and Medical Technology, we guarantee that you will find plenty of well-paying jobs!
You can look forward to high returns on investment, too, whether you become a biotechnologist or a medical technologist, thanks to their excellent salaries and benefits and career advancement opportunities.
However, making an informed choice between the two occupations requires knowledge of their main responsibilities, required education, training and license, and salaries. Let’s start with the main similarities and differences between these two healthcare occupations:
- Scope – Biotechnology involves the use of biological systems, including living organisms, in the development of technologies and products used in agriculture, pharmaceuticals and environmental science, among other industries. Medical Technology, however, involves the use of tools, equipment and procedures in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of health issues, such as injuries and illnesses.
- Workplaces – While biotechnologists can work in numerous industries, medical technologists usually work in healthcare settings, specifically hospitals and clinics.
Let’s take a deeper look at each of these healthcare occupations.
A Quick Look at Their Differences
While there are similarities between Biotechnology and Medical Technology as healthcare occupations, each one has its specific applications and effects on patients and society.
| Biotechnologist | Medical Technologist | |
| Average Annual Salary | $83,061 | $57,380 |
| Projected Job Growth | 9% (2018-2028) | 5% (2022-2032)/24 average annual openings |
| Licenses/Certifications Required | Yes | Yes |
| Primary Duties | Biotechnologists focus on the research and development of gene therapies, vaccines and personalized medicines. | Medical technologists focus on patient care and healthcare support for physicians by performing laboratory tests used in the diagnosis, treatment and management, and prevention of disorders and diseases. |
What Does a Biotechnologist Do?
Biotechnologists use their knowledge and skills in biology, engineering and technology in the development of new products and processes for society’s benefit. Biofuels, pest-resistant and nutrition-enhanced crops, and diagnostics tests for the detection of diseases are a few examples of their work.
While their specific duties differ based on their specific workplace and job, biotechnologists perform the following main roles and responsibilities:
- Conduct scientific research in the development of new products, processes and technologies, including drugs, therapies and diagnostics
- Manipulate genes and genomes in the production of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
- Design and maximize purification, fermentation and other bioprocessing techniques in making biological products
- Ensure the safety and quality of biological products
- Find environmental applications for Biotechnology, such as in agriculture and ecology
Biotechnologists usually work with other STEM professionals, such as biologists, chemists and environmental specialists, in finding solutions for Biotechnology-related issues, too. As such, it’s important to network with professionals while in graduate school!
Being a successful biotechnologist requires a strong sense of scientific curiosity and passion for research. You must also have strong skills in using laboratory tools, technologies, and techniques as a result of your college education, internship and work experience.
Biotechnologists must also possess strong skills in critical thinking, problem-solving and communication since their work involves finding solutions and working with others. Their work also demands attention to detail because of the precision required in their research work, adaptability to new technologies and techniques, and awareness of Biotechnology ethics and its issues.
You should also be persistent, creative and resilient because a biotechnologist’s work means multiple failures.
Biotechnologist Education and Career Paths
Keep in mind being a successful biotechnologist also requires strong STEM skills! During your high school years, you should do well in STEM subjects, including:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Computer Science
- Math
- Environmental Science
You will gain a deeper understanding of biological and biochemical processes, develop your quantitative skills, and gain knowledge about computational tools, which are crucial in Biotechnology.
If it’s possible, you can also take International Baccalaureate (IB) or Advanced Placement (AP) courses in chemistry, physics, biology and math. You will not only earn college credits, but your strong knowledge of STEM in graduate studies prepares you for a challenging and rewarding Biotechnology career.
Your choice of a bachelor’s degree will depend on your preference, too, but the best disciplines for a Biotechnology career are Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Biology, or Biochemistry. The common courses in these academic programs include:
- General Biology and Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Bioinformatics
Career advancement opportunities await biotechnologists with a Master’s in Biotechnology degree. In the case of college professors, Biotechnology researchers, and leaders in the Biotechnology industry, doctoral degrees are an advantage!
Of course, your work experience, continuing education, and lifelong learning courses can lead to professional certifications are valuable for promotions.
With your college degree, professional certification and work experience, you have many career paths to choose from, including:
- Biotechnologist
- Research scientist
- Bioprocess engineer
- Quality control and assurance specialist
- Bioinformatics Specialist
- Regulatory affairs specialist
- Teacher or professor of biology and other related fields
If you choose Biotechnology as a career path, you will find many job opportunities in the healthcare industry as well as in government agencies, colleges and universities, and manufacturing companies, to name a few examples.
Biotechnologists can earn professional certifications granted by the American Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (ASBMB) or the American Society for Microbiology (ASM). Laboratory and biosafety certifications may also be earned, like the Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certifications. These professional certifications demonstrate their commitment to excellence in their profession and to continuing education, which can also result in job promotions.
A Career in Biotechnology Is for You If:
- You are passionate about science and technology, including its practical applications for mankind’s benefit
- You’re creative and innovative in finding solutions to complex issues.
- You enjoy working with a team with an emphasis on quality, safety and accuracy in your collective work.
A Career in Biotechnology Is Not a Great Fit If You:
- You’re not into the STEM field, or you’re not confident in your science and math skills.
- You don’t like failing, taking risks and being in an unpredictable environment.
- You like working alone rather than with a team.
What Does a Medical Technologist Do?
Also called clinical laboratory scientists, medical technologists perform a wide range of laboratory tests as requested by doctors and other healthcare professionals necessary in the diagnosis and detection, treatment and management, and prevention of disorders and diseases.
Medical technologists provide healthcare support; their work allow medical professionals to make informed decisions.
Their specific responsibilities include:
- Collect and analyze samples from patients, including blood, stool and urine, and tissues for the identification of diseases and disorders, microorganisms and abnormalities.
- Set up, operate and maintain equipment and devices used in Medical Technology, such as cell counters, microscopes and automated analyzers; maintenance procedures include cleaning, troubleshooting issues, and testing to ensure the safety, quality and accuracy of test results.
- Perform tests on samples, such as chemical analysis and blood tests.
- Record, analyze and interpret data that physicians and other healthcare professionals can use in effective patient care.
- Discuss the results and findings of their laboratory tests with doctors and other healthcare professionals.
- Maintain patient records related to Medical Technology.
Due to the crucial importance of their healthcare support roles, medical technologists must possess analytical skills that are necessary for determining the presence of abnormalities in the samples collected.
Their work also requires them to be detail-oriented in following laboratory protocols, be careful when handling samples and laboratory equipment, and be physically and mentally healthy for the job.
Their dealings with patients, usually when collecting samples, also mean possessing good interpersonal skills or bedside manners, as these are called in the medical field.
Medical Technologist Education and Career Paths
As with Biotechnology, a career in Medical Technology means being proficient in math and science. Your academic performance in STEM subjects, including Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Math, must be above average.
The most common bachelor’s degrees among successful medical technologists are:
- Medical Technology
- Clinical Laboratory Science
- Medical Laboratory Science
Many bachelor’s degree programs also offer specializations or concentrations, such as:
- Clinical Chemistry
- Hematology
- Microbiology
Among the major courses are:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology
- Hematology
- Clinical Chemistry
- Immunology and Serology
- Clinical Laboratory Management
With a background in undergraduate or graduate-level Medical Science or Medical Research, you can easily embark on the Medical Technology field! Students in these advanced-level academic programs are usually required to complete supervised clinical rotations in healthcare settings, such as hospital laboratories.
Their hands-on experiences complement their acquired knowledge and skills in addition to increasing their network and employment opportunities.
If you choose to become a medical technologist, you can also pursue a specialization. Choices include:
- Blood Bank Technologists
- Clinical Chemistry Technologists
- Cytotechnologists
- Molecular Biology Technologists
You must undergo additional training and certification for specialization, meaning more time, effort and money spent after earning your bachelor’s degree.
With a bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology or a related field, your most obvious career path is becoming a medical technologist. You can also become a:
- Laboratory Supervisor or Manager
- Quality Assurance Specialist
- Research Technician
- Public Health Officer
Aside from hospital and clinic laboratories, you can also work in research laboratories, public health laboratories, and the Biotechnology industry. With a master’s degree or a doctoral degree, you can also teach in K-12 schools colleges and universities.
Many states require medical technologists to secure a license, such as California, Nevada and Montana. A state-issued license has specific requirements, such as professional certification, so it’s best to check with your state board for more information.
Professional certifications can be earned from industry associations, such as the American Association of Bioanalysts, the American Society for Clinical Pathology, and the American Medical Technologists.
A Career in Medical Technology Is for You If:
- You enjoy science and technology including their applications in improving the lives of people.
- You like solving problems and working with data.
- You’re comfortable using technology.
A Career in Medical Technology Is Not a Great Fit If You:
- You’re not into laboratory work with its emphasis on precision and repetition.
- You’re uncomfortable handling samples from the human body.
- You prefer an exciting, fast-paced environment.
When choosing between these occupations, you must consider your personal interests and professional goals, even your desired impact on society. You may, for example, choose Biotechnology because of its larger societal impact or Medical Technology because of its direct impact on patient care.
Either way, enroll in top graduate schools featuring innovative technology to get the best training or education!
Whatever your choice, you will find that being in the healthcare industry can be challenging, but it’s also a rewarding career!
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