Tampa General Hospital’s School of Medical Technology, established in 1957, is operated by the Department of Pathology and is fully accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) and is a licensed training program by the State of Florida. Facilities for the school include didactic materials, audiovisual equipment, educational CD’s, certification study guides and a student library containing the latest editions of appropriate textbooks for additional reading and research. The hospital’s Medical Library is also available for student use. The Clinical Laboratory is equipped with the most state-of-the art equipment available anywhere and generates hundreds of thousands of patient tests per year.
In addition to the routine lab tests offered in most labs, Tampa General Hospital performs an array of specialty testing, including an expansive and ever-expanding menu of molecular biology testing, flow cytometry, special coagulation, mycology and parasitology, just to name a few. Students attending Tampa General Hospital’s School of Medical Technology will be exposed to the latest methodologies and learn from some of the foremost experts in the field of laboratory medicine.
Laboratory tests play a vital role in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Tampa General Hospital’s School of Medical Technology strives to provide effective clinical education in the medical laboratory.
The School of Medical Technology is dedicated to the purpose of preparing well trained professional medical technologists who:
have the ability to apply their theoretical and practical clinical education and advance to positions in administration, education supervision and research in the medical laboratory.
as members of the healthcare team, strive to provide high quality patient care through maintenance of superior laboratory service in the practice of their profession.
actively engage in the advancement of their profession through continuing education.
continually play an active role in the health care needs of the community.
A maximum of six students are accepted yearly with classes beginning in early August and ending in late July. The 52‑week internship is 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday (Rotation times, vacations and holidays are addressed in the Student Handbook). Training consists of both practical laboratory experience and didactic lectures. Examinations are given on both the practical training and didactic material. To be eligible for certification as a medical technologist at the end of the year, a minimum passing score of 70% (C) must be maintained.
Curriculum
The curriculum consists of scheduled formal didactic lectures, rotation through assigned departments for practical training, assigned projects, informal discussions, reading assignments, reviews and examinations. Final grades are calculated using both theoretical and practical grades.
One-on-one practical and theoretical instruction by qualified medical technologists is given as each student rotates through the various laboratory sections.
Areas of study include Chemistry, Education, Hematology and Coagulation, Immunohematology (Blood Banking), Immunology, Flow Cytometry, Molecular Biology, Laboratory Management, Microbiology, Mycology, Parasitology, Phlebotomy, Urinalysis and Virology.
A list of faculty and associate faculty is included in the student handbook. All instructors are qualified by certification and/or licensure. Course Descriptions
Orientation - An introduction to the clinical laboratory, the hospital premises, basic laboratory techniques and laboratory safety procedures. The student is instructed as to the proper methodology of Phlebotomy, including universal precautions, proper labeling and proper collection tubes. Syringe and vacutainer phlebotomy is practiced by each student.
Chemistry - Theoretical and practical automated and manual chemistry. The student is instructed in and performs manual and automated clinical determinations employed in the analysis of body fluids. Theoretical chemistry is presented through formal didactic lectures. Both practical and theoretical exams are administered.
Hematology - Theoretical and practical hematology and coagulation. The study of cells in the blood and the coagulation factors affecting clot formation. The student is instructed in and performs various procedures, both manual and automated, to count, differentiate and identify the various cellular and coagulation elements of the blood. Theoretical hematology and coagulation are presented through formal didactic lectures. Both practical and theoretical exams are administered.
Immunohematology (Blood Banking) - Theoretical and practical immunohematology for preparation of blood and blood components for transfusion therapy. The student is instructed in and performs grouping, typing, and crossmatching of blood for transfusions. The student learns to recognize and identify antibodies or other causes of incompatible blood. Students are also involved with donor services for phlebotomy. All blood banking practice and didactic materials are taught at our clinical affiliate, Florida Blood Services.
Immunology/ Molecular Biology - Theoretical and practical immunology. The student is instructed in and performs tests to detect the presence of serum antibodies and other substances which are related to disease states. Students also rotate through Molecular Biology and Flow Cytometry. Theory and practice of fluorescent technique is also taught. Theoretical immunology is presented through formal didactic lectures. Both practical and theoretical exams are administered.
Microbiology, Virology, Parasitology & Mycology - Theoretical and practical clinical microbiology, virology, parasitology and mycology. The student is instructed in and performs various techniques for the identification of normal and pathogenic organisms from human culture sites. The student is taught virology procedures and techniques for the purpose of isolating and identifying viral organisms. The student is instructed in and performs macro and micro techniques used in the analysis of fecal material, preparations for examination, and identification of ova and parasites found in human specimens. Mycology and mycobacterial cultures and identification procedures are also performed. Special unknowns are given to each student for identification during the rotations. Theoretical microbiology, virology, parasitology and mycology is presented through formal didactic lectures. Both practical and theoretical exams are administered.
Urinalysis - Theoretical and practical urinalysis. The student is instructed in and performs macro and micro techniques used in the analysis of urine, qualitative analysis of urine substances, and examination of urine sediments for normal and abnormal elements. Theoretical urinalysis is presented through formal didactic lectures. Both practical and theoretical exams are administered.
Management, Education, and Research - Lectures and/or competency‑based instruction are used to introduce the student to the concepts of laboratory management (quality management, laboratory administration, supervision, safety, problem-solving, ethics, laboratory information systems and professional conduct) clinical education, and research methodologies and techniques.
Tuition is paid directly to the School of Medical Technology, and is due at the beginning of the academic year. It is non‑refundable.
Students paying tuition to an affiliated university should consult the university’s refund policy.
Application Fee (non-refundable)
$15.00
Textbook Fee
No Charge
Tuition for non‑affiliated students*
$2,000.00
State of Florida Trainee License Fee
$45.00
Liability Insurance**
$35.00
*Affiliated students from the University of South Florida pay tuition to USF at the university’s prevailing rate. Only non‑affiliated students pay tuition to the School of Medical Technology as stated above.
** Fee is determined by Insurance Company, not the school.
(NOTE: All fees are subject to change without prior notice)
National Certification - A fee is charged by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) Board of Registry and or the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA) to be admitted to the certification examination. Applications are distributed during the school year.
State Licensure - A fee is charged by the State of Florida for the medical technologist licensure. Applications are distributed at the end of the school year.
Insurance - Students are required to provide their own medical insurance and documentation of proof of insurance must be shown to the Program Director on the first day of class. Students also purchase a liability policy for a minimal fee. Liability Insurance information is provided to accepted students free of charge.
Room and Board - Room and board will be provided by the student. Meals may be purchased in the hospital employee cafeteria or lunches may be brought and kept in the laboratory staff lounge refrigerator.
It is the responsibility of each student to make every effort to complete the full internship. For students from affiliated universities, academic credit is awarded ONLY upon completion of the entire course of study. Students must successfully complete the entire internship in order to receive a certificate from Tampa General Hospital’s School of Medical Technology.
Upon successful completion of the clinical internship, the students are granted a certificate from the hospital (university-affiliated students are granted a baccalaureate degree from the university in Medical Technology). They are then eligible to take national certification exams, such as the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) Board of Registry or the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA) and are also eligible for licensure as a Medical Technologist in the State of Florida. Awarding the certificate is not contingent upon passing external licensure or certification examinations.
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
8410 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 670
Chicago, Illinois 60631-3415
Phone: (773) 714-8880
Fax: (773) 714-8886 www.naacls.org
State of Florida
Department of Health
Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel
P.O. Box 6330
Tallahassee, FL 32314-6330
Phone: (850) 245-4355 www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/ClinLab/
American Society for Clinical Pathologists (ASCP)
33 W. Monroe, Suite 1600
Chicago, Illinois 60603
Phone: (800) 267-2727 or 312-541-4999 www.ascp.org
National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA)
P.O. Box 15945-289
Lenexa, Kansas 66285-5945
(913) 895-4613 www.nca-info.org
Tampa General Hospital maintains an affiliation agreement with the University of South Florida to provide the clinical internship portion of a baccalaureate degree in Medical Technology. To be eligible for admission to our program, students from our academic affiliate must have completed all the required prerequisite coursework and at least three (3) years (90 semester hours or 135 quarter hours) toward the baccalaureate degree. We provide the senior year of a baccalaureate degree only for those students from the University of South Florida. Non‑affiliated students must have completed all the required prerequisite coursework and possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
Medical Technology students must possess the manual dexterity and visual acuity necessary to prepare specimens and perform complex analyses, including microscopic examinations, and the ability to communicate (in person and on the telephone) in English with instructors and staff. Occasionally, long periods of standing at instruments or hoods may be required.
Prerequisite Coursework
Chemistry - A minimum of 16 semester hours or 24 quarter hours acceptable toward a Chemistry or Medical Technology major. This includes:
one (1) full course (2 semesters or 3 quarters) of General College Chemistry with laboratory, and
one (1) semester or one (1) quarter of Organic Chemistry with laboratory.
Recommended courses include: Clinical Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Analytical Chemistry. Survey courses are not acceptable.
Biological Sciences - A minimum of 16 semester hours or 24 quarter hours acceptable toward a Biology or Medical Technology major. This includes:
courses in General Biology and General Microbiology and
a course in Immunology.
Recommended courses include: Determinative Microbiology, Parasitology, Mycology, and Virology. Survey courses are not acceptable.
Mathematics - One (1) semester or one (1) quarter of College Mathematics.
Recommended courses include: Algebra, Calculus, and/or Statistics.
Physics - One (1) full course with laboratory is highly recommended.
Other - Sufficient credits for additional courses (Liberal Arts, etc.) to satisfy all academics required by the affiliated academic institution in order to be eligible for a baccalaureate degree.
To be considered, an overall grade point average of 2.5 (out of 4.0) or better and a science grade point average of > 2.5 (out of 4.0) is recommended. A grade of “C” or higher in each required science course is recommended in order to be competitive in the application process.
Each applicant will be considered on an individual basis. Applicants with foreign degrees must have their transcripts evaluated by an acceptable agency. Contact the Program Director for details.
A completed application form for admission and all supporting documents must be submitted by the deadline of December 31. Transcripts of all college credits must be submitted by the universities and contain the college seal. Transcripts submitted by the student are not acceptable.
Upon receipt of all application materials, notification is sent that the application is complete. It is the applicant’s responsibility to see that all required materials are forwarded as necessary. Those applications that are not completed prior to the deadline will not be considered.
Factors of consideration in the selection process include GPA (science & overall), recommendations, work experience, number of repeated classes, grades of D and F, and the interview. Interviews begin in January. They are conducted by a minimum of three members of the Selection Committee. The Selection Committee consists of the program director, assistant laboratory director and one or more of the rotation supervisors. The interview is used as a means to assess each applicant’s motivation, goals, communication skills, professional conduct, interpersonal skills and a realistic concept of commitment to the medical technology profession. After all applications are complete and the selected applicants have been interviewed, the Selection Committee chooses the best candidates for initial admission and creates a pool of alternate candidates. In the case of equal applicant status, applicants from the affiliated universities are considered first. Formal acceptance letters are mailed by March 1.
After acceptance, students are required to complete a health screening and urine drug screening through Employee Health during orientation. Students who fail the health and/or drug screening will be dismissed from the program.
The program does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, handicap or ethnic origin in the administration of admission procedures.
