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Medical Lab Technician Training and Schools
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Are you interested in working in the healthcare field? Do you want a career that enables you to help others? Learn what a medical lab technician does and the lab technician trainings you need to join the field.
Medical laboratory technicians, also known as medical lab technologists or clinical lab technicians or technologists, examine and analyze body fluids and cells using sophisticated laboratory equipment such as microscopes and cell counters. They perform drug tests, match blood for transfusions, and look for bacteria or parasites. After testing and examining a specimen, they analyze the results and relay them to physicians.
Medical Lab Technician Careers
Medical laboratory technologists usually perform more complex tasks than technicians, and have a higher level of education. However, a position as a medical lab technician requires less training. Some medical lab technicians specialize in a certain area, like phlebotomy. A phlebotomist is a lab technician who collects blood samples for analysis.
A medical lab technician might work at an independent laboratory, or one in a hospital. In larger facilities, lab staff must cover day, evening and night shifts, and may work weekends and/or holidays. In smaller facilities, they may rotate shifts, or be on call at night or on weekends for emergencies.
Laboratories tend to be clean, well-lighted work environments. Although fumes from chemical solutions and infectious specimens will be present, clinical lab staff use protective gear such as masks, gloves and goggles, and follow procedures for infection control and sterilization that keep risks at a minimum. In addition, personnel tend to spend a lot of time on their feet.
Launching a Lab Technician Career - Education and Training
Lab technicians and technologists play an important role in the health field. Although it is possible to qualify for some positions with a combination of education and on-the-job training, a degree or certificate in the field will prove advantageous when searching for work.
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 Information for Professionals Seeking a Medical Technician School Found on Health-Care-Careers.org:
Career Information for Medical Radiography and X-Ray Technology Professionals
Cardiovascular Technology Training Schools
Additional Resources for Individuals Enrolling in a Medical Technician Program
American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science
Campus and Online Medical Technician Schools
- Electrocardiograph Technician
- Reseda
- Diploma - Surgical Technologist
- San Diego
- Vista
- Diploma: X-Ray Technician/Medical Assistant Back Office
- Associate of Applied Science: Health Information Technology
- Anaheim
- Los Angeles
- Ontario
- Associate of Occupational Science in Surgical Technology
- Associate of Occupational Science in Health Information Technology
American Career College (ACC) offers hands-on training that will prepare students for careers in the healthcare industry at three campuses in Los Angeles, Ontario, and Orange County, California.
- Pharmacy Technology
- AS in Surgical Technology
- Certificate - Surgical Technology
- AS in Pharmacy Technology
- San Diego
- San Bernardino
- Surgical Technology
At Concorde, you’ll find that a “learn by doing” approach to healthcare training will get you the skills you need to succeed-- and get you into the workforce quickly.
- National City
- San Marcos
- San Diego
- Associate of Occupational Studies in Medical Specialties with Radiography Emphasis
- Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management (Online)
- Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management
- More
- Surgical Technology
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
- Pharmacy Technician
Santa Barbara Business College
- Rancho Mirage
- Santa Barbara
- Santa Maria
- Pharmacy Technology
- Health Information Technology
SBBCollege is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. For information on graduation rates, median debt of graduates who completed these programs and other important information, visit http://www.sbbcollege.edu/consumerinformation/disclosures.php. SBBCollege offers financial aid to those who qualify.
- Long Beach
- Surgical Technologist
- BS in Health Administration/Health Information Systems
- A.A. in Health Care Administration-Medical Records
- B.S. in Health Administration/Health Information Systems
- Norcross
- Pharmacy Technology
- Minneapolis
- MS - Health Information Management
Achieve your potential with an online degree from Capella University.
- Chicago
- Fremont
- Pomona
- Long Beach
- Alhambra
- Sherman Oaks
- Colton
- Palmdale
- Daly City
- Anaheim
- Oakland
- Associate - Health Information Technology
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