MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN

Education/Training

 Requirements

 Associates degree
 Work under the guidance of a medical technologist
 Bachelor’s degree
 Post-secondary certificate
 Medical license

 Skills

 Toxicology- identifies the presence or quantity of drugs of abuse, therapeutic drugs, and toxic substances
by operating toxicology instrumentation and performing manual methods for the performance of drug
screens, blood alcohol levels, and carbon monoxide levels.
 Chemistry- provides test results for patient diagnosis and treatment by operating chemistry equipment;
performing hand chemistries.
 Hematology- provides test results for patient diagnosis and treatment by operating hematology, urinalysis,
and coagulation equipment; performing manual methods of differentials.
 Immunology- provides test results for patient diagnosis and treatment by operating equipment such as the
gamma counter, spectrophotometer, densitometer, and through methods such as radioimmunoassay,
enzyme immunoassay, and serological testing.
 Microbiology- provides physician with information for treatment of patient infection by performing
technical procedures for the identification or susceptibility of bacteria, parasites, fungi, and mycobacteria.

 Colleges
 Rasmussen College - $310 per quarter hour
 Folsom Lake College - $19,548 per year
 El Centro College - $1,770 per year
 Keiser University - $17,488 per year

Responsibilities/Daily Activities

 Organizes work by matching computer orders with specimen labeling; sorting specimens; checking labeling;
logging specimens; arranging reports for delivery; keeping work surfaces clean and orderly.
 Maintains quality results
 Serves as technical resource by participating in staff training
 Identifies and communicates abnormal patient conditions
 Ensures the patient of receiving compatible blood/blood components by completing blood typing, antibody
screening, compatibility testing, and antibody identification procedures.
 Assures future retrieval of patient transfusion information by preparing patient packets and maintaining blood
bank database.
 Contributes to a safe and secure environment for patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers by following
established standards and procedures; complying with legal regulations.
 Maintains patient confidence by keeping laboratory information confidential.
 Serves and protects the hospital community
 Enhances laboratory services and hospital reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and
different requests
Career Outlook and Income

Median income

 $50,930 per year

Job outlook

 Expected to increase by 13%

Sources

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor

Statistics. (2018, January 30). Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-and-clinical-

laboratory-technologists-and-technicians.htm

Medical Laboratory Technician: School and Career Facts. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.innerbody.com/careers-in-

health/how-to-become-a-medical-laboratory-technician.html

Www.recruiter.com. (n.d.). Medical or Clinical Laboratory Technician Salary: Latest Wage and Compensation Trends in

Your Area. Retrieved from https://www.recruiter.com/salaries/medical-and-clinical-laboratory-technicians-

salary/

Self-Reflection

I would not enjoy this job because I would like to be in charge making the decisions rather than being someone’s helper.
At times that is alright, however, in my profession, I would like to have some responsibility and control. However, the
actual daily tasks of a medical laboratory technician seems to fit me. I would probably enjoy the actual tasks, but not the
lack of power and voice.