Medical Technologist

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Work Tasks

• Do lab tests and send results to doctors
• Look at blood, tissue, and other things under a microscope
• Make cultures of body fluid to see if bacteria, fungi, or other things grow
• Get blood ready for transfusions and label the blood types
• Work for hospitals in medical labs, blood banks, doctors' offices, the government, and research and testing labs
• Work with computerized instruments, microscopes, cell counters, chemical analyzers, blood samples, cultures, body fluids, chemicals, and lab reports

Salary, Size & Growth

• $55,500 average per year ($26.75 per hour)
• A large occupation (164,400 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (1.2% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A 4-year degree in a life science
• Employers Prefer: A 4-year degree in medical technology
• Skills/Courses: College courses include chemistry, biological sciences, microbiology, math, statistics, clinical laboratory science, teaching, administration, and lab work.
• Certification/Licensing: Registration or certification is required.