If you enjoy science, a career as a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) could be a good fit for you.
MLTs play a vital role in the quality of a patient’s healthcare by helping diagnose and prevent disease. Read on to learn about what a MLT does, how to become one, and the current job outlook.
What Does a Medical Laboratory Technician Do?
Medical laboratory technicians must have good logical judgment and the ability to work under pressure. Close attention to detail is also essential for medical laboratory technicians. Small differences or changes in test substances or numerical readouts can be crucial to a diagnosis.
Being good with your hands and having normal color vision are important. Since many labs use automated equipment, it’s also essential to have computer skills.
MLTs collect samples and perform tests to analyze body fluids, tissue and other substances. Their duties include less complex routine tests and laboratory procedures, such as:
- Preparing specimens for lab testing
- Analyzing body fluids such as blood, urine and tissue samples, and recording normal or abnormal findings
- Using automated equipment and computerized instruments capable of performing a number of tests at the same time
- Working under the supervision of medical laboratory technologists or laboratory managers
Where Do MLTs Work?
Medical laboratory technicians often work in hospitals, clinics, labs, doctors’ offices, and blood banks.
The Path to Becoming a Medical Laboratory Technician
Most MLTs have an associate degree from a college, a vocational or technical school, or the Armed Forces. Technicians who learned their skills on the job must also meet the educational requirements and semester hours of training. Training programs are also available.
Choosing an Accredited Program
The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) are important organizations. They ensure that medical laboratory technician programs meet national standards. When choosing a school, you should check if one of these organizations accredits the program.
Obtaining Licensure and Getting Certified
Some states require MLTs to obtain a license or register. Employers prefer applicants who hold certification from a recognized professional association, such as AMT. Earning certification indicates that the medical laboratory technician meets certain standards of competence.
Choosing a certifying body is as important as picking a school or MLS program. Choosing a tough and valuable certification program shows employers and patients that they can trust your skills. It demonstrates your knowledge and expertise.
Certification with AMT requires that all applicants comply with certain requirements, or routes. Those who do have a great chance of passing the certification exam. AMT offers national certification and medical technology programs that are valid in all states.
The certification program examinations assess the knowledge needed for healthcare workers to competently perform their tasks.
AMT’s MLT certification is for both current students and people who already have jobs in the field.
We identify entry-level practitioners across the United States who qualify for AMT certification. See if you are eligible on our Medical Laboratory Technician page.
Need help choosing the application route that's right for you?
Information on licensing is available from state departments of health or boards of licensing.
Medical Laboratory Technician Career Advancement
Medical laboratory technicians can advance and become technologists through additional education and experience. Technologists may advance to leadership positions in laboratory work or may become chief technologists or laboratory managers in hospitals. Manufacturers of home diagnostic testing kits and laboratory equipment and supplies also seek experienced technologists to work in product development, marketing and sales. Professional certification and/or a graduate degree in medical technology, one of the biological sciences, chemistry, management or education usually speeds advancement.
Medical Laboratory Technician Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical technologists and medical laboratory technicians held about 344,200 jobs in 2023. Experts expect employment of medical technologists and medical laboratory technicians to grow 5 percent from 2023 to 2033.
An increase in the aging population will lead to a greater need to diagnose medical conditions through laboratory procedures. Medical laboratory technicians are in need to use and maintain the equipment necessary for diagnosis and treatment.
Medical Laboratory Technician Salary
The average annual wage of staff-level medical laboratory technicians was about $60,780 (29.22/hr) in 2023. In general, salaries are higher in a hospital setting than in physician offices.
Want to Learn More?
Check out our blog post on the importance of medical laboratory professionals on the health care team.