Medical Lab Technician

Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:

• Enter patient or treatment data into computers.
• Conduct research to increase knowledge about medical issues.
• Test biological specimens to gather information about patient conditions.
• Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care.
• Analyze laboratory findings.
• Analyze laboratory specimens to detect abnormalities or other problems.
• Analyze test data or images to inform diagnosis or treatment.
• Train medical providers.
• Operate laboratory equipment to analyze medical samples.
• Collect biological specimens from patients.

Typical Working Conditions

• Having face-to-face discussions.
• Working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions.
• The importance of being accurate or exact.
• Wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, or life jackets.
• Working with a group or team.
• Exposure to disease or infections.
• Repeating the same motions many times.
• Freedom to make decisions without supervision.
• Meeting strict deadlines.
• Exposure to contaminants (like gases or odors).

Tools & Technology used by Medical Lab Technicians

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

Most Important Skills for Medical Lab Technicians

• Reading—Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Science—Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
• Thinking Critically—Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Learning New Things—Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Listening—Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Monitoring Performance—Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Speaking—Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Understanding How People Learn—Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
• Controlling Quality—Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
• Coordinating with Others—Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.

Most Important Knowledge Areas for Medical Lab Technicians

• Chemistry—Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal m
• Biology—Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
• Customer and Personal Service—Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Mathematics—Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• English Language—Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Clerical—Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
• Computers and Electronics—Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• Medicine and Dentistry—Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
• Public Safety and Security—Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
• Production and Processing—Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Interests
Different careers may be a good fit for your personality or interests. This career is:

• Investigative—Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Realistic—Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

Low indicates 25% of workers earn less and 75% earn more. Median indicates 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more. High indicates 75% of workers earn less and 25% earn more.

Demand
This career is seeing very high growth compared to other careers.

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

This career is best for those with at least an Associates degree, but most professionals earn a Bachelors or higher.  Certifications related to this position could aid in showcasing knowledge.

View the local post-secondary education options from our partners: Central Lakes College & MSTATE.

Helpful High School Courses
Examples of helpful classes that help you prepare for this career:

• Anatomy
• Chemistry
• Community Health
• Computer Applications
• Human Development
• Medical Ethics
• Nutrition
• Research Methods
• Safety and First Aid/CPR
• Sociology
• Statistics
• World Languages

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise