The Medical Technology Program is one of the academic offerings of the School of Health Professions, located within the Medical Sciences Campus of the University of Puerto Rico. Medical Technology is the study of the application of clinical laboratory analysis to the diagnosis or prevention of disease and to the monitoring of patient therapy. The program provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to responsibly practice the profession. Students are also expected to develop a true sense of humanism and a professional attitude. The Program is fully accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for the Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).
Students are admitted into the professional program following a minimum of three years of undergraduate study. General requirements provide the basics of communication, math, critical thinking, social and ethical values. Prerequisite science courses establish the background knowledge necessary for the professional courses. Upon completion of the program, graduates qualify for a B.S. degree in Medical Technology or receive a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, as appropriate.
The curriculum consists of two didactic semesters, offering the theory, knowledge and analytical skills in each major area of clinical laboratory science; and a six-month clinical practice, providing the opportunity to further develop and integrate the psychomotor, cognitive and attitudinal aspects of the profession. Graduates are competent in performing analytical tests on blood and other body fluids according to appropriate quality assurance standards, interpreting and reporting results, using modern instrumentation and methodologies, and applying the principles of management and education. Students are exposed to diverse educational/clinical experiences including practice rotations in hospital or private laboratory settings.
The faculty are all highly qualified and licensed as general clinical laboratory scientists, with diverse academic preparations and experience as clinicians, supervisors, and educators. They are committed to continuing professional development through participation in professional organizations, attendance at national/international meetings and the pursuit of advanced degrees. Their continual awareness of emerging trends in healthcare is the framework for clinical service, consulting, education, and participation in legislative matters related to the profession.
All program graduates are eligible to take certifying examinations given by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or the American Society for Clinical Pathology-BOR. Upon licensure, they are qualified to work in hospital and private clinical laboratories, pharmaceutical/biomedical industries, or research settings. As a valuable member of the healthcare team, the medical technologist must be academically and ethically capable of providing quality laboratory-related services.
Program Mission
The mission of the Program is to prepare highly trained clinical laboratory scientists, qualified to practice as members of the healthcare team and contribute to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human disease in accordance with the emerging needs of the Puerto Rican community. The curriculum is designed to develop the cognitive, behavioral, and attitudinal skills required for technical, supervisory, consultative, and teaching roles in a variety of clinical or research settings.
Accreditation
The Medical Technology Program of the Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico is accredited by the National Accreditation Agency of Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
Address: 5600 N River Rd Suite 720 Rosemont, IL 60018-5119
E-mail: info@naacls.org
Tel: (773) 714-8880
Fax: (773) 714-8886
Admission Requirements
In order to be considered for admission, applicants to the Bachelor Degree must meet the following requirements:
- Three years of general courses and basic sciences (100 credits) are required as stated below.
- Grade point average of at least 2.50 in science and mathematics courses and in all required courses.
- Have a maximum of 8 credits in prerequisite work pending for the summer session.
- Possess the essential functions and capabilities necessary for an individual to carry out the responsibilities of the profession. The student must sign a form that certifies that possess the essential functions of the professions.
- No transfer of credits or credits for experiential learning accepted.
- Advance placement credits accepted.
- Fluency in Spanish and knowledge and comprehension of English.
- Possess necessary physical and cognitive abilities required by the profession.
- Be interviewed by the faculty.
- No service work allowed.
Additional to the above, applicants to the Post-Bachelor Certificate must present evidence of a Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college or university, including the courses required for admission to the Bachelor’s Degree Program.
Required Courses
| Courses | Credits |
| Analytical Chemistry (3) | 4 Semester Credit – Hours |
| Biology(2) | 16 Semester Credit – Hours |
| College Physics | 8 Semester Credit – Hours |
| Electives(4) | 14 Semester Credit – Hours |
| English | 12 Semester Credit – Hours |
| General Chemistry | 8 Semester Credit – Hours |
| Humanities | 6 Semester Credit – Hours |
| Mathematics(1) | 6 Semester Credit – Hours |
| Organic Chemistry | 8 Semester Credit – Hours |
| Social Sciences | 6 Semester Credit – Hours |
| Spanish | 12 Semester Credit – Hours |
| Total | 100 Semester Credit – Hours |
- (Introductory courses are not accepted).
- (Must include general biology, microbiology or bacteriology, and immunology; Biological Sciences (CIBI) are not accepted as part of the biology credits).
- (Quantitative Chemistry is not accepted).
- (Biochemistry o Cellular Biology recommended).
For specific course accepted within each area, please contact the program.
Course Descriptions
Informative Sheet
Specific Program Information
(Please click here to download the Informative Sheet of the Program in PDF format)
(Please click here to download the MT Student Manual in PDF format)
(Please click here to download the Essential Functions Document of the Program)
(Please click here to download the Program Calendar: First Semester Academic Year 2023-2024)
(Please click here to download the Program Calendar: Second Semester Academic Year 2023-2024)
(Please click here to download the MSC Academic Calendar 2023-2024)
Graduation Requirements
In order for students to be recommended for the Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology, they must:
- Satisfactorily complete (with C or above) all didactic and clinical practice courses (54 credits).
- Obtain a general grade point average of 2.00 or higher in the 154 credits.
- Demonstrate the conduct and attitudes required in the performance of the profession.
In order for students to be recommended for the Post-Bachelor Certificate in Science in Medical Technology, they must satisfactorily complete (with C or above) all didactic and clinical courses in a three-year period and:
- Obtain a general grade point average of 2.00 or higher in the 54 professional credits.
- Demonstrate the conduct and attitudes required in the performance of the profession.
Deadline to submit Application
Bachelor Degree: Registrar’ office transfer deadline
Post-Bachelor Certificate: March 15 of each year
Program Faculty
Ruth Rosario, MS, MT (ASCP)
Professor- Director and Course Coordinator
Wilma J. Lopez, EdM, MS, MT (ASCP) CMSM
Professor and Course Coordinator
Migdalia Martinez, Ed.D., MT (ASCP)
Professor – Clinical Practice Coordinator and Course Coordinator
Jorge Rodríguez, PhD, MT (ASCP)
Associate Professor – Laboratory Coordinator and Course Coordinator
María T. San Martin
Associate Professor – Academic Coordinator and Course Coordinator
Edna Aquino, PhD, MT(ASCP)
Professor – Course Coordinator
Ana Espino, PhD
Professor – Course Coordinator
Advisory Committee
Omayra Vélez, MT (ASCP)
Juan Rexach, MD, MT (ASCP)
Soed de Pedro, MS MT(ASCP)
Carmen L. Burgos, MS, MT(ASCP)
Edna Aquino, PhD. MT(ASCP)
Program Outcomes
For the most recent three-year period, August 2020 to June 2023, the Program:
- Has successfully graduated admitted students. The institutional graduation rate for the last three years is 100%.
- Over 93% of our graduates have passed the certification examination of the agency for the certification of medical technologists, American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), at the first attempt. The compared average obtained by our graduates in this certification exam is consistently higher than average obtained for all program graduates in United States.
- The retention rate is 100% and the attrition rate is 0%.
- 94% of the graduates who answered our survey found employment in the field of clinical laboratory sciences during the first six months after graduation.
- Program NAACLS Benchmarks are listed in MT Outcomes Measures attached.
(Please click here to download MT Outcomes Measures document in PDF format)
Curriculum
Teach-Out Plan
In the eventuality that the Medical Technology Program unexpectedly had to close due to the occurrence of a natural disaster, or by any other unusual circumstance, both the prospective and enrolled students must be notified.
Prospective students will be informed that the program will not take a new cohort due to program closure. Students will be counseled in applying to other local programs. All Program closure information will be posted on the Program website.
Enrolled students will be informed of the intended program closure. In the event of a mandated permanent closure, currently enrolled students will be allowed to complete the program. The Program director will be responsible for the clearance of students applying for the certification exam.
The university will inform students of a plan for continuation of their education as soon as that information is available. The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) will be notified and a teach out plan will be provided to them within 30 days of the official announcement of program closure. Intentional closure of the program will be communicated to all students immediately in the Program website.
Registration Costs
Physical Address
Medical Center Complex
Monacillo Area, Río Piedras, Puerto Rico
School of Health Professions Main Building, 7th Floor, Office #700
Postal Address
Programa de Tecnología Médica
Escuela de Profesiones de la Salud
PO Box 365067
San Juan, PR 00936-5067
Telephones
Director – (787) 758-2525 Ext. 7040
Administrative Assistant – (787) 758-2525 Ext. 2106