Degree Level Associate degree or certificate

Degree Field(s) Medical technology

Licensure requirements vary by

Licensure/Certification
state

Experience None

Attention to detail and ability to

Key Skills
understand and follow procedures

Job Outlook (2014-2024) 18% growth

Median Annual Salary $38,970 for medical and clinical

(2015) laboratory technicians
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Medical laboratory technicians assist physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of
diseases by performing tests on tissue, blood and other body fluids. Medical lab technicians
most commonly work in hospitals or doctors' offices.
This career field typically requires an associate's degree, and certification might be needed.
Job Description
Medical laboratory technicians play an important role in the prevention and diagnosis of
diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and AIDS. Medical lab technicians work under the
supervision of a physician, lab manager or medical technologist and perform laboratory
tests on specimens.
The tests that lab techs conduct assist doctors in verifying the causes of an illness, making
medical decisions and determining treatment options. Some of the areas in which medical
lab technicians may specialize include:
 Microbiology
 Hematology
 Blood banking
 Immunology
 Clinical chemistry
 Molecular biology
 Cytotechnology

Work Environment
Most medical lab technicians can be found working in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories or
physicians' offices. Other employment options for medical lab technicians are available
with blood and organ banks, medical equipment sales companies, research facilities,
clinics, and public health organizations, as well as pharmaceutical and reference
laboratories.
Their workplaces are clean, sanitized and well lit. They must wear protective clothing
including lab coats, masks, goggles, and gloves when handling equipment or specimens.
They can work odd shifts throughout the day and be on call in case of emergency.
Job Duties
Medical lab technicians set up and sanitize laboratories, prepare specimens, match blood
compatibility for transfusions, analyze fluid chemical content, collect blood samples and
examine immune system elements. Technicians are expected to handle sophisticated
laboratory equipment, including cell counters, microscopes and automated analyzers.
These devices are used to search for parasites, bacteria and other microorganisms. Medical
laboratory technicians carry out less complicated procedures and tests than do medical
laboratory technologists.
Types of Training
Medical lab technicians are generally required to have a certificate or an associate's degree
from an accredited school. Topics covered as part of a medical lab technician training
program may include human anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, microbiology,
chemistry, medical laboratory techniques, applied immunology, blood coagulation and
urinalysis. In some cases, they may need licensing based on state requirements. Medical
lab technicians may advance to become medical lab technologists with additional
experience and training. Prospective technologists need to earn a bachelor's degree in
medical technology.
Job Outlook and Salary Information
In May 2015, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported an annual median salary
of $38,970 for medical and clinical laboratory technicians. The BLS predicted 18%
employment growth for these technicians from 2014-2024, which is much faster than
average.
To review, medical lab technicians perform tests that help physicians diagnose and treat
diseases. A certificate or associate's degree is typically needed to start in the field, while a
bachelor's degree could lead to an advanced position as a medical lab technologist.
http://study.com/what_does_a_medical_lab_technician_do.html

What Does a Medical Laboratory Technician Do?

The work of a medical laboratory technician is exciting, varied and vital to the quality of a
patient’s healthcare. Medical lab technicians (also referred to as MLTs, medical laboratory
scientists/technologists or clinical laboratory science professionals) work behind the scenes
as highly skilled scientists, performing tests that detect the absence or presence of disease.
Results of the tests performed by these scientists are passed on to physicians so that they
can treat patients and manage disease according to the findings.

SHOW ME SCHOOLS »

Laboratory tests ordered for the patients are based on recommendations from doctors and
other healthcare providers. Lab technicians usually have no direct interaction with the
patients, but rather perform tests on human bodily fluids, tissue samples and cells collected
by nurses or other healthcare professionals to determine diagnoses and identify
abnormalities. Technicians work with microscopes, computers and other automated
laboratory equipment, keeping detailed records of the data they compile.

The duties of a medical laboratory technician can be general in nature or specialized in

areas such as immunology, microbiology and clinical chemistry. Both specialized and
general roles are important for the medical field as the results of their testing help
physicians to accurately diagnose and treat cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other serious
health conditions. These tests can also be used for the prevention and management of
disease.

Workplace Details

About half of medical laboratory technicians work in hospitals, while the rest work in
specialized medical or diagnostic laboratories; in physician and dentist offices; and in state
or federal agencies. Some of the work can involve contact with infectious materials or
hazardous agents, but technicians are always properly trained and protected, wearing
goggles, gloves or masks for much of their workday. Safety training occurs regularly to
prevent accidents.
 The work hours provide a great degree of flexibility because most facilities require medical
laboratory technicians on staff 24 hours a day. Hours may be normal business hours,
evenings, nights, weekends, and some holidays, as needed by the hospitals and other 24-
hour facilities.

Online Medical Laboratory Technician Courses

The following descriptions cover the most commonly offered online classes for medical
lab technicians.
 Introduction to Medical Laboratory Technician Course: One of the
first courses in the MLT program introduces the role of MLTs in health care and the
professions open to them upon completion of the program. Online readings and lectures
present ethics and mathematics, along with a look at licensure for their specific state
and requirements of the NAACLS.
 Introduction to the Medical Laboratory Course: An offline part of this
course includes students going to a clinic to see a laboratory in person, and meeting and
speaking with MLTs. Online components cover procedures, tools, lab safety, specimen
collection and quality assurance and more about the role that MLTs play in the health
care systems.
 Body Fluids Course: While practicums are done in a laboratory or clinical
setting, theory of this course is learned through reading materials, online tutorials and
online lectures. The focus of this course is the analysis of urine, seminal fluid, feces,
amniotic fluid and spinal fluid. Other bodily fluids are covered as students research the
chemical properties of each fluid and the procedures in a laboratory setting.
 Hematology: Within this course, students learn the common procedures,
tools and laboratory techniques used when analyzing blood. Phlebotomy, prothrombin
time and coagulation are discussed. Students of hematology use online tutorials and
lectures, along with readings and lab experience to learn how to do white and red blood
cell counts and platelets counts as well as to check hemoglobin, hematocrit and
erythrocyte sedimentation rate. This required course t can be taken any time during a
program.
 Medical Terminology Course: Through this course, students use
vocabulary to become familiar with prefixes and suffixes. Once students have become
accustomed to common root words, other terminology encountered down the road is
decipherable. Students use Internet reading and audio to understand pronunciations and
common word usage. This course can be taken any time during a program.
 Microbiology Course: In this elective, students examine the bacteria,
parasites and diseases that are found in the human body. Students learn staining
 techniques and isolation for looking at these microorganisms under a microscope.
Discussion of safety procedures and sanitation is essential in this course.
 Special Topics in Medical Laboratory Science: This course presents
students with the history of medical laboratory science and gives them a glimpse into
the technologies of the future as well. In addition, current concerns, such as social and
governmental issues or ethical questions as related to medical science, are also
explored.