Medical lab techs have an important role to play in detecting, diagnosing and treating diseases. They conduct laboratory tests and look for pathogens (bacteria and viruses) in body fluids and cells. Their job also requires them to examine the chemical content of the fluids, test for drug levels in blood and match blood for transfusions. After the results are analyzed, they are revealed to physicians for treatment of the patient. These technologists also count cells, seek abnormal cells in body fluids and prepare specimens for a thorough medical examination.
Medical Lab Tech Schools and Degrees
In order to be a successful medical lab technician, one should have a bachelor’s degree in life science or medical technology. Hospitals and universities offer medical technology programs. A medical technology program will include courses in biological sciences, chemistry, mathematics, microbiology and statistics. The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences accredits about 470 medical technology programs. An associate's degree from a junior or community college accompanied with a certificate from a hospital or a technical or vocational school is also helpful.
Job Requirements
A bachelor’s degree and the passing of an exam are required in order to earn licensure. Certification by a recognized professional association is mandatory for a medical lab tech. Certificates can be obtained from the American Medical Technologists, the Board of Registry of the American Society for Clinical Pathology, the Board of Registry of the American Association of Bioanalysts and the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel.
Apart from the certification, a medical lab technician must possess good analytical judgment and must be prepared to work under pressure. Problem solving skills are essential for technicians. Laboratory personnel should pay close attention to detail, as a small change in the testing of substances can result in a huge change in diagnosis. The other essential skills required are being familiar with the computer, being manually dexterous and having normal color vision.
Nature of Work
Medical lab techs examine blood and other body fluids. They evaluate the results of tests and modify the procedures if necessary. This is required for the monitoring of the programs and ensuring the accuracy of the tests.
Medical lab techs have to work with contagious specimens, so they need to follow the proper procedures of sterilization and infection control. They work in a clean and well lit area and they are often required to stand for long hours at a time. Working with protective masks, goggles and gloves is essential.
Medical Lab Tech Jobs and Outlook
According to research conducted in the US in 2006, medical lab techs held around 319,000 jobs in the United States. Employment is highest in the following areas:
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories
Offices of Physicians
Other Ambulatory Health Care Services
The mean hourly wage for medical lab techs in the US in 2007 was recorded to be about $17.36, while the mean annual wages were around $36,110.
Job Numbers and Growth
If you add up all the medical lab techs in the country you get a total of about 151,000. There has been a very low unemployment rate for workers. An unfortunate 2% of employees were without jobs in 2008.
Area Job Conditions
Medical lab techs appear most common in Jackson (Tennessee), Morgantown (West Virginia), and Gainesville (Georgia), and least common in Fresno (California), Visalia (California), and Port St. Lucie (Florida).
Champaign (Illinois), Brockton (Massachusetts), and Salinas (California) offer the highest pay. Joplin (Missouri), Jackson (Tennessee), and Lake Charles (Louisiana) offer the lowest salaries.
Training and Education
An associate degree is often necessary for working in the field. About 51% of medical lab techs have earned a degree. Some college, below a 4-year degree, is sufficient for 35% of workers. Employees with only a high school education represent about 14% of all. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.
Part-Time Work and Self-Employment
Government statistics report that 14% of medical lab techs are employed part-time. Workers who work for themselves total about 1%.
Medical Lab Techs by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Schools recommended for people interested in this career. Request info with quick online forms. These particular schools are noted for getting back to people fast.
Schools recommended for people interested in this career. Request info with quick online forms. These particular schools are noted for getting back to people fast.