Medical Laboratory Technician Jobs 2025
Medical laboratory technicians help physicians diagnose patients’ conditions. They collect and analyze blood samples, prepare reports, and keep lab equipment clean, sanitized and safe. They must also ensure the quality of their work.
Medical laboratory technician jobs are a good fit for people who are curious, analytical and detail-oriented. They must also be able to work well in teams.
Free Medical Laboratory Technician Practice Test Online
Medical Laboratory Technician Online Programs
Medical laboratory technicians collect and analyze blood, urine, body fluids, tissues and cells. They then provide doctors with crucial laboratory information to assist in patient diagnosis, care and treatment.
If you enjoy working behind-the-scenes and want to have a significant impact on the healthcare needs of your community, an online medical lab technician program may be perfect for you. These NAACLS-accredited programs can lead to an associate degree in medical laboratory science or a bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory technology, and will prepare you for national certification examinations.
SNHU’s affordable and accredited online Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) Bachelor’s Degree program can help you reach your goals. Complete your degree in two years and save on tuition with eligible transfer credits and work/life experience. Plus, get a new laptop when you enroll! Connect with an advisor today to learn more about how SNHU can help you reach your dreams.
Medical Laboratory Technician Education Requirements
Medical laboratory technicians work in hospitals, private labs, research institutes, and pharmaceutical companies. They collect blood and tissue samples, run routine tests, and analyze results. They also maintain, use and fix medical equipment, keep detailed service records, and report to a laboratory supervisor or pathologist. Other job titles for this profession include laboratory aide, clinical lab technician and phlebotomist.
After graduating from an accredited associate degree program, medical laboratory technicians may seek certification by one of the several credentialing organizations. These exams typically cover disciplines such as hematology, chemistry, and microbiology.
While most MLTs start their careers with an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree can open up additional career options, such as becoming a medical laboratory scientist. It can also help a student to become eligible for scholarships or grants. When selecting an MLT program, choose a school that is accredited and offers hands-on lab training. Also, look for an institution that is open and transparent about the cost of tuition. You don’t want to be caught off guard by hidden fees when you finish your degree.
Medical Laboratory Technician Salary Florida
Medical laboratory technicians perform standard lab tests on urine, blood and tissue samples to help doctors diagnose illnesses. They also maintain equipment and update patient records. They often work with a physician and may be required to perform venipuncture, a procedure in which blood is drawn from the body for testing. Medical laboratory technicians can advance to become clinical laboratory technologists, who have a bachelor’s degree and are responsible for more complex tasks.
A career as a medical laboratory technician offers good job prospects. The aging baby boomer population will increase demand for diagnostic tests and medical procedures, creating opportunities for new technicians. In addition, there are a number of ways that you can improve your earning potential, including taking on additional duties and pursuing further education.
The average salary for a medical laboratory technician in Long Beach is $56,198, which is 4% higher than the national average. The cost of living in Long Beach is 37% higher than the national average, based on the cost of food, transportation, health care costs, housing expenses and miscellaneous items.
Medical Laboratory Technician Training
The medical laboratory technician training program is designed to prepare individuals for employment as clinical lab technicians in the healthcare field. It introduces students to laboratory environments and the basic skills necessary for performing a variety of diagnostic tests on blood, tissues, body fluids and other samples. It also teaches students how to perform and document quality control and instrument maintenance activities. In addition, it provides students with the knowledge required to be a clinical laboratory technician in accordance with state licensure requirements in New York.
Medical laboratory technicians use specialized equipment and technology to test, analyze and process specimens taken from patients. The testing results provide physicians and other clinicians with critical information about the diagnosis, monitoring or treatment of illnesses and diseases. They usually work under the supervision of a licensed technologist or supervisor.
A common path to a career as a medical laboratory technician involves earning an associate degree. There are several programs available, so it’s important to find one that fits your schedule and budget. Look for a college that is transparent about its costs and offers many options for tuition savings.
Travel Medical Laboratory Technician
Medical laboratory technicians and technologists are in high demand, with the job outlook expected to remain positive for years to come. These professionals work with doctors to analyze blood and other bodily fluids to detect diseases and other conditions, and they are essential members of a healthcare team. They also work steady shifts and typically have consistent hours.
They perform various tests using sophisticated lab equipment and may be responsible for a number of tasks, including measuring the chemical content of body fluids, matching blood compatibility for transfusions, analyzing cells, preparing slides, and identifying microorganisms. A career as a clinical laboratory technician is a great choice for individuals with an interest in science and the ability to follow strict procedures.
Traveling lab technicians have the opportunity to work in a wide variety of locations, including hospitals, medical labs, and physician’s offices. They also have the opportunity to earn a competitive salary, with many employers providing DAY ONE benefits, such as insurance and paid housing. Some travelers have even reported salaries higher than the national average.
Medical Laboratory Technician Associate Degree
Medical laboratory technicians perform a wide range of tests on blood, tissue and other specimens. They analyze the results to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. These professionals work closely with physicians and other lab personnel in doctor’s offices, hospitals, reference testing laboratories, and research environments.
The job requires strong organizational skills and a detailed approach to laboratory procedures. They need to keep accurate records, prepare reports, and monitor shipments of supplies. They also have to follow quality control procedures and evaluate test performance and results. They must also be able to handle needles and precision lab instruments.
The medical laboratory technician associate degree program offers a combination of classroom and hands-on learning. The course will prepare you for the national certification exam offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Students who complete the program may be eligible to transfer into a four-year degree program as a junior. Students must meet admissions requirements and complete a background check and drug screening to be admitted. They must also pay for their own textbooks and supply a lab coat.
Medical Laboratory Technician Career Options
Medical laboratory technicians play a vital role in ensuring that healthcare professionals can diagnose illnesses accurately. They collect and test samples from patients to help doctors and nurses understand the full picture of each patient’s health, and they’re essential for determining the best course of treatment. If you’re interested in becoming a medical laboratory technician, there are many career options available to you.
Those who choose to pursue an associate’s degree in a medical lab technology program will complete general education courses that teach them the skills and knowledge they need for this field. In addition, they’ll spend plenty of time in a clinical setting performing supervised lab tasks that prepare them for their future careers.
It’s important to find an MLT program that provides plenty of hands-on training, so students can feel confident and prepared when they graduate. After graduating, it’s also a good idea to pursue certification from one of the MLT credentialing organizations. Certification can open up more job opportunities and make you more marketable to employers.
A medical laboratory technician career can be a fulfilling and rewarding option for those who enjoy being part of a healthcare team and want to contribute to the overall health of the public. While they don’t get much recognition outside of the lab, medical lab techs are responsible for a significant amount of the diagnostic work that goes into delivering quality healthcare. It’s a unique and important field that continues to save lives.
Medical Laboratory Technician Resume
Medical Laboratory Technicians work with doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals to provide accurate and timely results for patients. They are also responsible for preparing specimens, adhering to lab safety protocols and performing routine laboratory tests. If you’re looking for a job in the field, it’s important to have an impressive resume that highlights your experience and qualifications.
The first thing you should do when writing your resume is determine the kind of format you want to use. A reverse chronological layout is typically the best option, as it allows employers to easily identify your most recent work. Alternatively, you can opt for an achievement-based format to highlight your skills and accomplishments.
Another great way to increase your chances of getting noticed is to include a summary section. This is an excellent place to highlight your core qualifications, as well as any relevant certifications and achievements. This section will help you stand out from the competition and show hiring managers how qualified you are for the job.
It’s also a good idea to incorporate keywords that appear frequently on Medical Laboratory Technician job descriptions into your resume. Doing so will make it easier for your resume to pass through Applicant Tracking Systems, which are used to filter out candidates who aren’t a fit for the position. Using a tool like Enhancv can help you find these keywords and add them to your resume.
Medical Laboratory Technician Questions and Answers
A medical laboratory technician, often referred to as a clinical laboratory technician, is a professional who utilizes lab instruments, processes, and tests to assess the health of human tissues and blood samples. Under the direction of doctors, laboratory technicians, and laboratory managers, they operate in clinical, diagnostic, or hospital labs. Medical laboratory technicians (MLTs), laboratory scientists, respiratory technologists, X-ray technologists, and pharmacy technologists all often go by the moniker “med techs.” A bachelor’s degree is the official difference between technologists and technicians, although a diploma, certificate, or two-year associate degree suffices for technicians. In addition to having additional chances for education and career promotion, technologists often make more money than technicians.
The procedures for earning a high school diploma or its equivalent, pursuing post-secondary education, and acquiring state license are the key components of becoming an MLT.
- In order to be eligible for an associate degree program or certificate program in medical laboratory technology, you must first have a high school diploma or the equivalent.
- Getting an associate’s degree or certificate from a community or junior college is the second stage.
- Getting a state license is the third stage. Although there are different prerequisites for getting a license, it is sometimes essential to have an associate degree or a certificate in addition to passing a state test.
- Contact state boards for occupational licensing and state health departments or go to the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science website to find out the exact license criteria in your state.
- The processes for gaining credentials from a professional organization are the information in this book that is most crucial. These include the American Society for Clinical Pathology and the American Association of Bioanalysts Board of Registry (ABOR) (ASCP). The ASCP certification requires applicants to have a bachelor’s or associate degree, while the ABOR certification verifies the skills and knowledge needed to execute regular medical laboratory tests.
- Higher education, such as earning a bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory science or medical technology, is necessary to grow as an MLT.
- Language proficiency and passing a psychiatric test are requirements for admission to the medical technologist or medical laboratory scientist programs.
Medical lab technicians are responsible for the following:
- Establishing, operating, calibrating, cleaning, and evaluating the sterility of lab apparatus
- Creating the solutions or reagents that will be used with the samples
- Obtaining samples of patients’ blood, tissue, or other substances
- Along with these responsibilities, MLTs also sometimes have to match blood types for transfusions, analyze the chemical makeup of fluids, or look at immune system components.
- They may also use advanced lab equipment to look for parasites, bacteria, and other microbes in their samples.
Medical laboratory technologists typically make $57,800 per year, or $27.79 per hour.
Yes, a Medical Laboratory Technician can become a Doctor, but it will need further school and training. A Bachelor’s degree is often followed by medical school, residency, and sometimes fellowship training on the path to becoming a Doctor.
A bachelor’s degree or previous college coursework are prerequisites for certain laboratory science programs, which may be completed in two years or less. The normal educational path for clinical laboratory technologists is an associate’s degree in clinical laboratory science.
Medical laboratory technologists in the United States make an average annual pay of $60,861.
Medical laboratory technicians in the US earn an hourly wage of $25.42 on average.
Aspiring MTs may need to have finished a bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, medical technology, or physical science to be eligible for licensing, or they may need to have a degree that satisfies the coursework and lab criteria. Some states also need certification, and many companies favor hiring people with certification.
Follow these general procedures to get licensed as a medical laboratory technician:
- Do some research on the local license requirements.
- Complete a recognized program’s required coursework and training.
- Compile the necessary paperwork, such as transcripts and referral letters.
- Accurately complete the license application form and submit it together with the required funds.
- Get ready for and ace any necessary licensure tests.
- Perform a background investigation if necessary.
- Complete any further specifications, such as continuing education credits.
Write a lab technician resume by following these eight steps:
- Read the job description carefully.
- Add a header in step two.
- Compose a formal synopsis.
- Feature your qualifications.
- Describe the employment history that is most relevant.
- Mention any credentials you may have.
- Summarize your academic history.
- Organize your resume.
Medical laboratory technologists normally need a bachelor’s degree, whereas the majority of clinical laboratory technician employment need for an associate degree or postsecondary certificate. Overall, working as a clinical laboratory technician offers a solid profession, decent income, and constant demand.
A medical technologist’s job is challenging. A four-year degree and passing a state licensure test are prerequisites for medical technologists (depending on the state). A bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory technician is attained by many medical technologists (MLT)
A bachelor’s degree is often required for clinical laboratory technicians. For entry into the field, clinical laboratory technologists and technicians normally require a bachelor’s degree. An associate’s degree may occasionally be used to qualify technicians for positions. Some states demand that technicians and technologists have licenses.
Generally speaking, clinical laboratory technicians need a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree is often required to work as a clinical laboratory technician or technolgist. An associate’s degree might sometimes qualify technicians for positions. Technologist and technician licensing is required in several states.
Medical laboratory technologists may pursue studies at many different universities. Community colleges like the Community College of Denver and Houston Community College, technical/vocational schools like Pima Medical Institute, universities and colleges like the University of Cincinnati and University of Alberta, and medical facilities like the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences are a few examples. It’s crucial to do your homework and choose an approved program that complies with local professional organizations’ or licensing boards’ standards.
Healthcare facilities including hospitals, medical and diagnostic labs, and doctor’s offices are where the majority of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians work. The majority are full-time employees
Follow these general methods to verify your medical laboratory technician result:
- Be patient till the specified result release date.
- Go to the organization’s official website or portal where the test was hosted.
- Look for the section containing the exam results.
- Provide the necessary information, such as your registration or ID number.
- Get access to your results, either as a screen display, a downloaded file, or by email.
- Review your results, taking note of both your overall and topic grades.
- If you have any queries or worries about your score, get in touch with the test organizers.
Every two years after you acquire your license, you must renew it. You must pay a fee and provide proof of ongoing education in order to renew.
Several organizations, including community colleges, technical or vocational schools, universities or colleges, and programs offered at hospitals, provide medical laboratory technician programs. Several of these establishments are Community College of Denver, Pima Medical Institute, University of Cincinnati, and Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences. Make sure the program you choose is approved and satisfies the standards of the professional organizations or licensing authorities in your area.