MT ASCP in Medical Abbreviation: What Does It Mean?

Do you know the meaning of MT ASCP in medical abbreviation?

It means a professional with a medical technologist or medical laboratory scientist certificate offered by the ASCP BOC.

The MT ASCP certificate is also an MLS ASCP, but the MT is an old term to recognize it.

Here you will get comprehensive information about the MT ASCP in medical abbreviation; all what you need to know.

MT ASCP in Medical Abbreviation

Earning the MT ASCP in medical abbreviation demonstrates that the professional has a complete grasp of conducting the full range of experiments (simple to complex).

He must be an expert in seven areas, including blood banking, hematology, chemistry, immunology, microbiology, lab operation, and urinalysis/other body fluids.

He must be able to perform all necessary experiments to diagnose diseases.

Always offer the best solutions to solve any issues related to specimens, instruments, and experiments.

Being MT/MLS ASCP certified, you must be a master of all lab instruments.

MT ASCP in Medical Abbreviation is MLS (ASCP)

The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) is the oldest certification agency.

It appeared with the name Registry of Medical Technologists. At that time, it only offered certification for medical technologists (MT).

With time, it has included many certifications in its profile: the current ASCP BOC is offering the certification to the entire lab team (technologists, specialists, technicians, scientists, and pathologists).

In 2009, the ASCP decided to merge with the NCA (National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel).

After that, it came into being with a new identity as the ASCP Board of Certification.

Both associations mixed their certifications (MT + CLS) and offered a new certificate under the powerful title MLS (medical lab scientist).

Now, the MT ASCP in medical abbreviation is the MLS ASCP.

Why the Board Transition MT ASCP Certification?

The ASCP BOC was not satisfied with the term medical technologist (MT) to illustrate the professionals’ competency.

The board wants to describe the MT ASCP in medical abbreviation in other ways_ a perfect term that will be an ideal explanation of the professionals’ qualifications, experience, and competencies.

Therefore, it changed its all MT ASCP/ASCPi certificates into MLS ASCP/ASCPi.

All the MT ASCP-certified professionals are practicing under the title of MLS ASCP after the completion of the transition process (from 2022).

Eligibility Requirements for MT/MLS ASCP

To get this certification, you have to fulfill some education, experience, and training-related requirements.

Educational Degree

You must have a baccalaureate degree from an authorized institution.

This degree must be obtained with 16 semester hours in biology; one semester hour of microbiology is also included; and 16 semester hrs in chemistry with one-semester hr in biochemistry or organics.

Clinical Experience

Your clinical experience must be one year, two years, or three years, according to your route.

You are responsible for earning clinical experience from an approved lab (must be approved a governing regulatory association or Ministry, or authorized by CAP, JCI 15189).

If you belong to a country without a prevalent system, you can get experience from a lab permitted by the International Advisory Board designated by the ASCP Board of Certification.

Other Requirements

According to your last experience or certification, you have to satisfy some other prerequisites.

If your certificate is CLA (clinical lab assistant), you need to have four years of experience.

If your credential is a medical technician (MT ASCP), you have to get five years of clinical experience.

If you have obtained the 50-week of U.S. military medical lab training program, then you will need one year of clinical experience.

Note: Eligibility requirements are different for U.S. (MLS ASCP) and international (MLS ASCPi) candidates.