Medical Lab Technician Training and Schools

Educational requirements

To become a lab technician you’ll need an associate degree from a community or junior college or a certificate from a hospital, a vocational or technical school, or the Armed Forces. Medical lab technologists, on the other hand, typically need a bachelor’s degree in medical technology or in one of the life sciences.

The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) recognizes and accredits 469 programs throughout the country training medical and clinical laboratory technicians and technologists. Programs typically last one to two years and include coursework in mathematics, chemistry, microbiology, pathology and immunology. The NAACLS also approves 57 phlebotomist programs.

Many employers require that their clinical lab technicians and technologists hold certification. The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) as well as the American Medical Technologist (AMT) offer national certification testing, and bestow the title of Certified Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT). In addition, some states require laboratory personnel to be licensed or registered – requirements vary.

Employment Opportunities for Lab Technicians

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that future job opportunities for lab technicians will be excellent, with 14 percent growth between 2008 and 2018. Population growth and the development of new types of tests is expected to drive an increase in laboratory tests, and thus the need for lab technicians.

Hospitals, which employed more than half of lab technicians in 2008, are expected to continue to be the major employer of clinical laboratory workers. However, employment is expected also to grow rapidly in medical and diagnostic laboratories, offices of physicians, and all other ambulatory healthcare services.

Lab Technician Salaries and Advancement Potential

The average annual salary for medical lab technicians was $38,190 in 2010, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Medical lab technologists earned an average of $56,870.

Professional certification and a graduate degree in medical technology, one of the biological sciences, chemistry, management, or education usually speeds advancement, as does experience. Technicians can become technologists, and technologists can move on to supervisory positions such as chief medical laboratory technologist or laboratory manager in a hospital. Federal regulations require directors of moderately complex laboratories to have at least a bachelor's degree, although a master’s degree may be favored by employers, combined with the appropriate amount of training and experience. A doctorate usually is needed to become a laboratory director.

Additional Resources

American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science: Professional organization that offers educational resources and networking for laboratory workers. www.ascls.org
Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science: National accrediting agency for clinical laboratory programs. www.naacls.org