OVERVIEW
What Is a Medical Laboratory Technician?
Laboratory technicians can be found in industries ranging from microbiology to chemistry and geology. If there are specimens that need testing in a laboratory, lab technicians are likely to be present. Medical laboratory technicians (MLTs) specifically work in hospitals, labs, or testing facilities performing hands-on testing and analysis. This guide will highlight the duties of a medical lab technician and uncover how you can prepare to become one.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Medical Laboratory Technician Do?
A medical lab tech can have various key responsibilities. Some may include:
- Preparing samples. Medical lab technicians get samples ready to be analyzed. They then use specialized equipment to study microorganisms. MLTs may also perform other functions like examining blood for transfusions and determining drug levels in the blood.
- Running tests. Medical lab techs often perform tests on various bodily fluids—most commonly blood or urine. They test for diseases by monitoring levels of certain substances that indicate the presence of disease or other ailments.
- Recording data. Doctors must receive results in order to notify patients of suggested action. Lab techs record the data so this can happen.
- Ensuring accuracy. Making sure tests and analyses are carried out accurately is critical. Inaccurate recording could lead to errant reporting and devastating consequences. For instance, if data is wrongly recorded, a healthy patient might incorrectly be informed that they have a certain condition. If a patient is prescribed medication for a disease they don’t have, the side effects could be severe, not to mention any potential mental, emotional, and legal repercussions of such an error.
- Maintaining equipment. It’s vital that lab equipment remains sanitary and in good working condition, according to OSHA regulations. Lab techs must keep a close eye on the instruments they use and dispose of any that are contaminated or not fit for use. In many cases, certain smaller pieces of equipment are only used once to avoid the risk of cross-contamination.
- Creating and maintaining organizational systems. Experienced lab technicians may be charged with designing a way to keep samples organized. They follow best practices and frequently communicate with their supervisor or laboratory manager.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become a Medical Laboratory Technician?
Schooling and certification are required to become an entry-level lab technician. Here are the requirements:
- Earn a degree: It’s recommended that medical lab technicians earn at least an associate degree in a program that includes clinical rotations or at least six months of lab experience. A bachelor’s or master’s degree is preferable, particularly for those who wish to move up within the lab. Relevant bachelor’s degrees may include a bachelor’s in healthcare administration or health and human services. Those seeking a master’s degree might opt for a master’s of healthcare administration or an MBA in healthcare management.
- Complete certification: Most employers require lab techs to be certified. Certifications can be earned through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification or the American Medical Technologists (AMT) Organization. The ASCP certification is more widely recognized and highly regarded in the field.
- Gain additional experience: The more experience you gain in the lab, the greater chance you’ll have to progress in your career. Spending time in the laboratory after earning a degree can help you reach your career goals.
Best Degrees for a Medical Laboratory Technician
Health & Nursing
Health and Human Services – B.S.
An online health degree program for students who are committed to making a...
An online health degree program for students who are committed to making a difference for patients in a variety of ways.
- Time: 63% of students finish this program in 24 months
- Tuition: $4,210 per 6-month term
- Courses: 35 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Epidemiology
- Community and Public Health
- Cultural Awareness
- Pathophysiology
- Healthcare Values and Ethics
- Substance Abuse Support
This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry, while also directly working with patients who need help.
Health & Nursing
Master of Healthcare Administration
A master's focused on managing comprehensive, value-based care, directly...
A master's focused on managing comprehensive, value-based care, directly in line with innovations in health and healthcare.
- Time: 60% of grads finish within 21 months.
- Tuition: $4,995 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 12 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Collaborative Leadership
- Healthcare Models and Systems
- Healthcare Financial Management
- Enterprise Risk Management
- Healthcare Information Technology
Your rich experience in a health-related field can mean more when you bring a master's level of understanding to the problems that organizations need to solve.
Compare degrees
This program is not the only degree WGU offers designed to create leaders in the field of healthcare. Compare our health leadership degrees.
Business
Healthcare Administration – B.S.
You can become a healthcare industry leader:...
You can become a healthcare industry leader:
Compare with B.S. Health Information Management
- Time: 63% of graduates finish within 17 months
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 40 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:
- Management
- Communication
- Team Leadership
- Operations
- Scheduling
- Strategic Planning
The online courses in this career-focused business degree program will prepare you with management-level skills and an up-to-date understanding of our healthcare delivery system.
Business
MBA Healthcare Administration
Shape the business of healthcare with an online MBA in Healthcare...
Shape the business of healthcare with an online MBA in Healthcare Administration.
- Time: WGU lets you set a schedule so you can finish your MBA in just one year.
- Tuition: $4,755 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 11 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:
- Regulatory compliance
- Patient care improvement
- Data-driven decision making
- Accreditation Auditing
- Ethical Leadership
Healthcare is big business in today's complex economy. Steer your career with this specialty MBA.
Compare online business degrees
This program is not the only online business degree WGU offers that is designed to create leaders in the field of healthcare. Compare our health leadership degrees.
How Much Does a Medical Laboratory Technician Make?
$57,380
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for clinical lab technicians and technologists in 2022 was $57,380. Many entry-level lab tech position salaries can be around $44,000. As with most professions, pay varies depending on location and experience level.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
5%
The BLS projects the job market for clinical lab techs and technologists to grow by 5% from 2022 to 2032, creating 21,800 new clinical and lab technician jobs.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Medical Laboratory Technician Need?
A medical lab tech can have various key responsibilities. Some may include:
- Preparing samples. Medical lab technicians get samples ready to be analyzed. They then use specialized equipment to study microorganisms. MLTs may also perform other functions like examining blood for transfusions and determining drug levels in the blood.
- Running tests. Medical lab techs often perform tests on various bodily fluids—most commonly blood or urine. They test for diseases by monitoring levels of certain substances that indicate the presence of disease or other ailments.
- Recording data. Doctors must receive results in order to notify patients of suggested action. Lab techs record the data so this can happen.
- Ensuring accuracy. Making sure tests and analyses are carried out accurately is critical. Inaccurate recording could lead to errant reporting and devastating consequences. For instance, if data is wrongly recorded, a healthy patient might incorrectly be informed that they have a certain condition. If a patient is prescribed medication for a disease they don’t have, the side effects could be severe, not to mention any potential mental, emotional, and legal repercussions of such an error.
- Maintaining equipment. It’s vital that lab equipment remains sanitary and in good working condition, according to OSHA regulations. Lab techs must keep a close eye on the instruments they use and dispose of any that are contaminated or not fit for use. In many cases, certain smaller pieces of equipment are only used once to avoid the risk of cross-contamination.
- Creating and maintaining organizational systems. Experienced lab technicians may be charged with designing a way to keep samples organized. They follow best practices and frequently communicate with their supervisor or laboratory manager.
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