Tracking Medical Technologists Careers: A Prospective Study

1. ASCP Certification: The Standard of Excellence Tracking Medical Technologists Careers: A Prospective Study Laura Culver Edgar, MBA, MT(ASCP) Pamela Frommelt, MS, MT(ASCP) Donna Surges Tatum, PhD, CAE Kory Ward-Cook, PhD, MT(ASCP), CAE

2. ASCP Certification: The Standard of Excellence OBJECTIVE • To provide insight into the careers of Medical Technologists by tracking and comparing the wages and demographic patterns of Medical Technologists during the first seven years of their career.

3. ASCP Certification: The Standard of Excellence METHODS • Beginning in 1993, the ASCP-BOR mailed 2002 surveys to a random stratified sample of persons found eligible to take the MT certification examination. The returned, usable surveys from the first year totaled 1156. This became the cohort to continue the survey process for an additional 10 years. • Each respondent was contacted each year and asked to complete a multiple-choice survey of approximately 115 items reviewing salary, demographics, job satisfaction, and numerous other topics. (Refer to Figure 1) • The response sheets were returned to the BOR and scanned.

4. ASCP Certification: The Standard of Excellence RESULTS At the end of seven years, the number of respondents has remained at 45%. • Women make up 80% of the population as compared to 74% when the survey started. • The genders began with a salary gap in 1993 (men – $14.40 per hour; women – $13.48 per hour) and had an even larger gap in 2000 (men - $21.40 per hour; women - $17.49 per hour). (Refer to Figure 2) • Ethnicity had a difference in salary. Comparing Caucasians (84%) to non-Caucasians (16%), the non-Caucasians earned $19.23 per hour verses $18.04 per hour. (Refer to Figure 3) • In 2000, 74% are married, in 1993 62% were single. The marital status of the technologists had no effect on the salaries. (Refer to Figure 4)

5. ASCP Certification: The Standard of Excellence RESULTS (CONT’D) • Approximately 9% of the respondents have gone on to earn masters and doctoral degrees. Those attaining a higher degree did have a higher salary (undergraduate degree – $17.85 per hour; graduate degree – $21.84 per hour). (Refer to Figure 5) • An urban laboratory employs 44% of the respondents. In 1993, 74% were in that same setting. Data from year seven shows that those in rural locations make the least, and suburban locations make the most, but by only a slight difference (rural - $17.53 per hour; urban - $18.69 per hour; suburban - $18.75 per hour). (Refer to Figure 6) • Day shift is the most frequently worked at 63%. The salary is consistent throughout the different shifts including day, evening, and night shift. (Refer to Figure 7) • Full time employment is held by 76% contrasted to 58% in 1993. Those working full-time had the highest salary at $18.84 per hour and part-time earning $17.35 per hour. (Refer to Figure 8) • Staff Technologist is the primary title for 56%, as compared to 90%. Those describing themselves as not being a staff technologist earned a higher wage ($20.35 per hour; staff technologists - $17.53 per hour). (Refer to Figure 9)

6. ASCP Certification: The Standard of Excellence CONCLUSION • This study demonstrates the progression that Medical Technologists are making through their careers. As medical technologists gain seniority, they work day shift more frequently, are promoted and employed more often in suburban and rural laboratories. • The increase in salaries and change in titles shows that Medical Technologists are moving upward through their career pathways. • The data obtained from this study provides insight into the profession, and has many implications for career recruitment.

7. ASCP Certification: The Standard of Excellence FIGURE 1: 2001 PROSPECTIVE STUDY <<Click Above Icon to View Survey in PDF format>>

8. ASCP Certification: The Standard of Excellence FIGURE 2: GENDER 25.00 20.00 Male 15.00 Hourly Wage 10.00 Female 5.00 0.00 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 Year

9. ASCP Certification: The Standard of Excellence FIGURE 3: ETHNICITY 25.00 20.00 15.00 Hourly Wage 10.00 5.00 0.00 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 Year White Non-White

10. ASCP Certification: The Standard of Excellence FIGURE 4: MARITAL STATUS 20.00 15.00 10.00 Hourly Wage 5.00 0.00 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 Year Single Married/Divorced

11. ASCP Certification: The Standard of Excellence FIGURE 5: HIGHEST DEGREE 25 20 15 Hourly Wage 10 5 0 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 Year Undergraduate Graduate

12. ASCP Certification: The Standard of Excellence FIGURE 6: LOCATION 20 15 Hourly Wage 10 5 0 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 Year Rural Urban Suburban

13. ASCP Certification: The Standard of Excellence FIGURE 7: SHIFT 20.00 15.00 Hourly Wage 10.00 5.00 0.00 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 Year Days Evenings Nights Rotating

14. ASCP Certification: The Standard of Excellence FIGURE 8: SCHEDULE 20.00 15.00 Hourly Wage 10.00 5.00 0.00 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 Year Full Time Part Time Other

15. ASCP Certification: The Standard of Excellence FIGURE 9: TITLE 30 20 Hourly Wage 10 0 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 Year Staff Technologist Non-Staff Technologist