Medical Laboratory Technician

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Work Tasks

• Do simple and routine lab tests to check for diseases
• Grow bacteria, get samples ready, and run machines which test samples
• Cut and stain tissue samples so they are ready to be seen under a microscope
• Take blood and get it ready for testing
• Work in labs for hospitals, doctors offices, blood banks, public health agencies, drug companies, rresearch and testing labs, and the government
• Work with microscopes, automatic analyzers, cell counters, lab equipment, computerized instruments, solutions, lab reports, and specimens of blood, tissues, cells, etc.

Salary, Size & Growth

• $40,500 average per year ($19.50 per hour)
• A large occupation (156,500 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (1.6% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A 2-year degree in medical laboratory technology
• Skills/Courses: Medical lab technician courses at a college, hospital, vocational or technical school, or from one of the armed forces
• Certification/Licensing: Licensing or registration may be required.