For those of you currently working in the medical profession or aspiring to, you may be familiar with two of the leading certifications in medical laboratory science: the American Medical Technologist (AMT) and the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certifications. These two certifications offer a wide range of opportunities for individuals looking to specialize in laboratory science. In this blog post, we’ll be discussing the differences between the AMT and ASCP certifications, the types of certifications available, and what each certification offers. We’ll also discuss which certification may be best for you based on your current career goals and level of education. With this information, you can decide which certification is the best fit for you and whether the AMT or ASCP certification is the most beneficial for you. By the end of this blog post, you should be able to make an informed decision regarding your professional certification in medical laboratory science.
What is the ASCP?
The ASCP, also known as the American Society for Clinical Pathology, is a reputable organization that provides laboratory professionals with resources and certification. They offer programs for a variety of medical professionals, including pathologists, program directors, and laboratory professionals. The ASCP also offers assistance to students interested in pursuing careers in medicine and to medical students who are presently enrolled in residencies.
The ASCP offers opportunities for learning and career development in addition to certification, including educational meetings and events, tools for job searching, networking events, and more.
What is AMT?
An organization that supports allied health professionals is called AMT, or American Medical Technologists. Professionals in the allied health sector can work as dental assistants, medical technologists, or medical assistants. One of the many advantages provided by AMT to the workers they serve is certification. However, they also present chances for professional advancement, ongoing education, networking, and upholding certification after receiving it. An allied health professional can benefit from all of these services to advance their careers and improve their chances of getting hired in a clinical or laboratory setting.
AMT vs. ASCP
The AMT and the ASCP are similar to and different from each other in the following ways:
Similarities
Heres how AMT and the ASCP are similar:
The fact that both AMT and the ASCP permit applicants to join as members of their organizations is one similarity between the two organizations. After receiving certification from AMT, candidates automatically become members of the organization with access to a number of benefits, including chances to further their education, opportunities to network with other professionals in the field, and certificate programs that can help candidates gain additional credentials.
The ASCP also provides membership to applicants who are certified by their organization, but there is a separate application process that requires payment of a fee and a decision between a one-year or three-year membership. The majority of the advantages of ASCP membership are similar to those provided by AMT, demonstrating how both organizations effectively support their members.
AMT and the ASCP are similar to each other in that they both provide certification programs for medical professionals. Workers in the medical industry frequently need certification, especially if their job involves using specialized skills or operating laboratory equipment. Being certified can always improve a job application, even for medical professionals who do not need it to work in their field, by showcasing a candidate’s credentials and demonstrating their enthusiasm for it.
This means that in order to help medical professionals who use their organizations to become certified, AMT and the ASCP both offer crucial services because it can affect how quickly they find employment. Both organizations offer a wide range of certifications, making it possible for many different types of medical and laboratory workers to obtain the certification they require.
The duration of certification validity for AMT and the ASCP is another similarity between the two organizations. AMT and ASCP both offer certifications that are valid for three years, whereas all certifications need to be renewed after a certain amount of time. Both organizations also offer comprehensive guidance on how to maintain a certification, which includes paying a fee and passing an exam. Both AMT and the ASCP have regulations in place for certifications that have been inactive for more than ten years that demand applicants to retake the exam that led to their certification.
Differences
The AMT and the ASCP are different from one another in the following ways:
The professionals that AMT and the ASCP typically serve is one distinction between the two organizations. AMT is focused on supporting and promoting allied health professionals so they can advance their careers. This can apply to phlebotomy technicians, medical lab technicians, and other related professions.
The ASCP, on the other hand, primarily supports clinical pathologists and laboratory professionals. They categorize their programs so that applicants can select membership and certification programs based on the particular job title they hold. Pathologists, laboratory professionals, residents, students, and professional affiliates are the membership categories the ASCP offers.
Both AMT and the ASCP offer certifications to their members, but the certifications each organization offers are different. The certifications that AMT offers are all tailored for various allied medical workers, such as medical assistants and medical technologists, as they primarily serve allied medical professionals. Here are the certifications that AMT advertises:
But the ASCP offers credentials for pathologists, lab personnel, and other medical specialists who work in lab settings. The ASCP uses their own certification board to grant credentials to a variety of laboratory professionals, including technicians and pathologists, as well as a few specialized certifications. The ASCP offers its members the following certifications:
I FAILED my Medical Laboratory Scientist ASCP BOC Exam
FAQ
What is the difference between AMT and ASCP?
The AMT is a group for the promotion of allied health professionals like medical laboratory technicians, dental assistants, medical assistants, and allied health instructors, whereas the ASCP works to improve clinical pathologists and laboratory professionals.
What does AMT certified mean?
AMT is a nationally recognized provider of healthcare certifications that support people in beginning careers in the medical industry. Ten allied health certifications are offered by AMT in total, including those for medical assistants (RMA), phlebotomy technicians (RPT), and medical administrative specialists (CMAS).
What is an AMT professional?
An organization of allied health professionals known as American Medical Technologists (AMT) is non-profit. AMT offers members ongoing support in addition to certification so they can keep up their knowledge and abilities, advance in their careers, and maintain workplace quality.
What is AMT exam?
Medical knowledge areas covered by the American Medical Technologies (AMT) Medical Technologist (MT) Exam include general laboratory procedures, blood bank and immunohematology, chemistry, hematology, immunology, microbiology, parasitology, phlebotomy, and urinalysis.
