Medical Laboratory Technologists

Career summary

Physicians order laboratory tests to help them figure out what is wrong with patients. Lab technologists run tests using samples of body fluids, cells, or tissues. Technologists study blood samples to count the number of cells and determine the blood type.

Sometimes technologists use samples to prepare slides. The slides are examined under a microscope. Technologists also run tests to chemically analyze samples. They examine the samples to see if they are abnormal or diseased. They look for organisms, such as bacteria, that would indicate an infection.

For other tests, technologists grow cell cultures. They make sure cells are grown in the right temperature and medium, such as agar.

After tests are run, technologists record, evaluate, and send results to physicians or medical researchers. They also talk to pathologists if abnormal cells are found.

Medical technologists use several types of equipment to run tests. They make sure that equipment is maintained and calibrated to ensure accurate results. Technologists may set up and run programs to calibrate equipment.

Medical technologists perform more complex lab tests and often supervise and train other laboratory workers, including assistants and medical laboratory technicians.

Medical technologists may specialize in areas such as:

• Blood bank technology to determine correct blood types for transfusions
• Microbiology to identify bacteria and other disease organisms
• Cytotechnology to identify abnormal cells such as cancer
• Histotechnology to identify disease in tissues

Related careers

This career is part of the Health Science cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Biologists
• Chemists
• Dental Laboratory Technicians
• Forensic Science Technicians
• Medical Assistants
• Medical Equipment Preparers
• Medical Laboratory Technicians
• Medical Sonographers
• Phlebotomists
• Science Technicians
• Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

Military careers

• Medical Laboratory Technicians

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to medical laboratory technologists.

• Test samples of biological materials, such as body fluids, tissues, and cells. Look for abnormalities or disease organisms.
• Evaluate test results. Enter findings into computers.
• Select and prepare specimens and media for cell culture.
• Grow cell cultures using appropriate media and environmental conditions.
• Prepare slides for examination.
• Set up, adjust, clean, and maintain lab equipment.
• Study blood samples to determine the type and number of cells.
• Talk to doctors, researchers, and family members about test results.
• Set up programs that ensure accuracy of all testing.
• May supervise and train lab assistants, technicians, and other technologists.
• May conduct research under the supervision of medical researchers.

Common work activities

Medical laboratory technologists perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Document and record information
• Get information needed to do the job
• Use computers
• Evaluate information against standards
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Analyze data or information
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Process information
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Control machines and processes
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Teach others
• Assist and care for others
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Repair and maintain mechanical equipment
• Repair and maintain electronic equipment
• Handle and move objects
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Coach others
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Develop and build teams
• Perform activities that use the whole body

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, medical laboratory technologists:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a medium level of social interaction. They spend time talking to doctors and other lab workers, but spend time alone running tests.
• Communicate by telephone, in person, and e-mail on a daily basis. They also use letters and memos, but less often.
• Are on occasion placed in conflict situations. Medical personnel may disagree on the interpretation of test results.
• Are somewhat responsible for the health and safety of others.
• Are responsible for the results of other workers.
• Regularly work as part of a team.

Physical work conditions

• Always work indoors.
• Are exposed to diseases, infections, and contaminants daily. They wear safety gear, such as latex gloves and surgical masks, to protect themselves.
• Are exposed to contaminants and hazardous conditions on a weekly basis.
• May on occasion be exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable. Medical equipment can be loud.
• Work near others. They often share the same work space with other technologists.

Work performance

• Must be very exact and accurate when running tests and equipment. Errors in testing can seriously endanger patients' health.
• Make decisions that affect patients on a daily basis. They rarely consult a supervisor before deciding a course of action.
• Make decisions that strongly impact their employer's reputation.
• Set most of their daily tasks and goals without talking to a supervisor first.
• Abide by strict deadlines. Test results cannot be delayed.
• Must sometimes let the pace of work be dictated by the speed of the equipment.
• Often repeat the same physical and mental activities.

Hours/travel

• Generally work a set schedule
• Most work full time, about 40 hours per week.
• May work nights, weekends, or holidays. Hospitals need tests run at all hours of the day.

Physical demands

Medical laboratory technologists frequently:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Stand for long periods of time.
• Repeat the same movements.

It is important for medical laboratory technologists to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for medical laboratory technologists to be able to:

• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.

Skills and abilities

Medical laboratory technologists need to:

Communicate

• Understand written information.
• Understand spoken information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Make sense of information that seems without meaning or organization.

Use math and science

• Use scientific methods to solve problems.
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.
• Choose a mathematical method or formula to solve problems.
• Use math skills to solve problems.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Teach others how to do something.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Look for ways to help people.

Work with things

• Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Inspect and evaluate the quality of products.

Perceive and visualize

• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.
• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Cytotechnology
• Medical Laboratory Assisting
• Medical Laboratory Science

Other programs of study to consider

• Biotechnology Laboratory Technology
• Chemistry
• Forensic Science
• Molecular Biology
• Phlebotomy
• Statistics

Training

To work as a medical laboratory technologist, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• have a bachelor's degree.

Education after high school

Medical laboratory technologists usually have a bachelor's degree in medical technology or a life science. These programs include courses in chemistry, biology, and statistics. You also learn to conduct and supervise complex medical tests. Hospitals and four-year colleges offer training programs.

A few medical lab technologists do not have a bachelor's degree. Instead, they have a combination of formal training, on-the-job training, and special training.

On-the-job training

Many employers offer some hands-on training when you are first hired. This usually lasts up to six months.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be medical laboratory technicians. Training lasts 12 to 36 weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements. Medical laboratory technologists need a strong background in the laboratory sciences. Be sure to take as many Chemistry and Biology courses as you can.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Computer Fundamentals
• Medical Lab Technology
• Probability and Statistics

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers require applicants for medical laboratory technologist jobs to have at least a bachelor's degree. They prefer applicants whose degree is in medical technology or one of the life sciences.

Some employers will only hire certified medical laboratory technologists. The national certification exam is given by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Registry (ASCP). The American Medical Technologists (AMT) also offers an exam. These organizations are listed in the Other Resources section of this description.

Tips

A summer job or internship in a laboratory setting is helpful. Laboratory workers who can work with others in a team environment will be the most successful. Opportunities are best for technologists who have both experience and training or for those who are willing to relocate to find a job. A strong background in math, science communication, and computer science is important.

Costs to workers

Medical laboratory technologists who become certified usually pay an application and exam fee. Costs vary. Some workers may wish to join a professional association, which may have annual dues.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary by employer and area of the country. The worker's level of experience, education, and responsibility also affect wages.

Medical laboratory technicians who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Over half of all medical laboratory technologists work for hospitals.

Major employers:

• Hospitals
• Medical laboratories
• Doctors' offices

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will remain strong. The number of medical tests, treatments, and procedures that are performed each year is growing rapidly. More people have access to health care and will seek treatment. This increases the need for medical laboratory personnel. Some of the fastest growth for technologists will be at doctors' offices.

In addition to the jobs created by growth, other job openings will occur as current workers retire or leave this occupation.

Other resources

American Association for Clinical Chemistry 
900 Seventh Street NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20001
800.892.1400
202.857.0717

American Medical Technologists 
10700 West Higgins Road, Suite 150
Rosemont, IL 60018
847.823.5169

American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science 
1861 International Drive, Suite 200
McLean, VA 22102
571.748.3770

American Society for Clinical Pathology 
33 West Monroe Street, Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60603
800.267.2727
312.541.4999

American Society for Cytotechnology 
1500 Sunday Dr
Suite 102
Raleigh, NC 27607

American Society of Cytopathology 

Association for Molecular Pathology 
6120 Executive Blvd., Suite 700
Rockville, MD 20852

Bio-Link 

Explore Health Careers: Clinical Laboratory Scientist/Technician 

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences 

References

Career cluster

• Health Science

Career path

• Investigative (Science)

O*Net  occupation

• Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists (29-2011.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed. A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

DOT occupations

• Biochemistry Technologist (078.261-010) 
• Cytogenetic Technologist (078.261-026) 
• Cytotechnologist (078.281-010) 
• Histotechnologist (078.261-030) 
• Immunohematologist (078.261-046) 
• Medical Technologist (078.261-038) 
• Medical Technologist, Chief (078.161-010) 
• Medical Technologist, Teaching Supervisor (078.121-010) 
• Microbiology Technologist (078.261-014) 

Strong Interest Inventory

• Medical Technologist

Holland occupational cluster

• Investigative/Realistic/Conventional

COPSystem

• Science Skilled