Contents
A medical lab technician is a health care worker who performs tests on blood and other bodily fluids to help diagnose and treat disease.
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Job Description
Medical Lab Technician is an allied health professional who performs chemical, hematological, immunologic, microscopic, and bacteriological tests on blood and body fluids. A medical lab technician may also conduct or assist in the conduct of more complex tests such as immunoassays and molecular diagnostics.
Duties
Responsibilities of the medical laboratory technician include collecting and processing patient specimens, operating and maintaining laboratory equipment, performing tests and analyzing results. They may also be responsible for quality control, record keeping and stocking supplies. Many medical laboratory technicians work in hospitals, but they may also work in private physician offices, blood banks, public health facilities or research laboratories. Some technicians specialize in a particular area of testing, such as blood banking or histology. With further education and training, medical laboratory technicians may advance to supervisory positions or become certified medical technologists
Skills
In order to work as a medical lab technician, one must have specialized knowledge in the field of laboratory testing. They must be able to properly collect and process samples, as well as analyze and interpret results. A medical lab technician must also have excellent attention to detail and be able to work well under pressure, as they are often required to meet strict deadlines.
Education and Training
A medical lab technician is an allied health professional who performs chemical, microbiological, hematological, immunologic, and microscopic tests on body fluids such as blood, urine, and tissue homogenates, to assist physicians in the diagnosis or treatment of disease. Most medical lab technicians have an associate’s degree from an accredited program, although some may have a bachelor’s degree.
Programs
A medical lab technician (MLT) is a health care professional who performs routine technical analysis of blood, body fluids, and cells. They work under the supervision of a medical technologist or physician.
Most MLT programs are two-year associate degree programs, although some hospitals offer one-year certificate programs for those with previous laboratory experience. Some four-year colleges also offer bachelor’s degree programs in MLT.
After completing an accredited program, MLTs must pass a national certification exam administered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT) or the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Some states also require licensure.
Certification
Certification for medical lab technicians is available, but not required in all states. Certification may be appealing to employers who are looking for an extra level of qualifications. MLT certification is offered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT) and the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). To be eligible for certification, MLTs must have completed an accredited educational program and have worked full-time for at least five years or part-time for at least 10 years.
Salary and job outlook
A Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) is an allied health professional who performs chemical, hematological, immunologic, microscopic, and bacteriological tests on body fluids such as blood, urine, and tissue homogenates or extracts. These tests are used in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.
Salary
In 2018, the median salary for medical and clinical laboratory technicians was $51,770 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The highest-paid 10 percent in the field earned more than $76,530, while the lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $33,750 that year.
Your earnings as a medical lab technician will depend on your employer, geographic location and level of experience.
Job Outlook
The job outlook for medical lab technicians is very good. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment in this field to grow by 11 percent between 2016 and 2026, which is faster than the average for all occupations. The aging baby-boomer population is one of the main reasons for this growth since they will need more medical tests as they age. In addition, advances in medical technology will lead to the need for more technicians to operate the new equipment and perform more sophisticated tests.
