1. Home
  2. ACADEMICS
  3. CareerTraQ
  4. A-Z Index

Medical Laboratory Technician

Occupation Information table
Overview: These technicians work in medical laboratories, medical offices and clinics operated by physicians. They perform laboratory tests designed to detect disease and assess the results of patients' treatments. They use microscopes, chemicals, medical instruments and computers in their duties.
Duties: They analyze the content of body fluids including blood, urine and spinal fluids to detect infectious organisms, cancer, presence of antibodies and to identify blood types.

They use complex precision instruments, computers and chemicals to analyze and measure levels of blood glucose, cholesterol and other blood components.

They confer with medical technologists, physicians and laboratory managers to describe test results to be used in diagnoses and evaluation of the effects of treatments and medications.

They may specialize in areas such as histology dealing with tissues, cytology (body cells) and phlebotomy dealing with blood analysis. They may assist medical laboratory technologists.
Degree(s): A.S. Biotechnology 
Job Outlook: Employment in this field is projected to grow 14% or higher from 2014 to 2024, which is much faster than the average projected growth for all occupations.
Salary Range (National Average): $28,000 to $32,000
Growth: Growth
Education Level: The typical training required for this career is generally a High School Degree or GED Certificate.
Additional Training/Education: These technicians must have either a certificate from a technical institute that takes about 14 months to complete or a 2-year college associate degree. The education program focuses on laboratory sciences with an emphasis on chemistry and biology plus clinical laboratory work experience.
Recommended Skills:
  • Weighing out the options in a situation or a problem and logically choosing the best course of action.
  • Paying attention to what other people are saying, and taking time to understand the points being made.
  • Performing routine maintenance and/or repairs on equipment using the appropriate tools.
  • Allocating and budgeting your time for different tasks so that things get done when needed.
  • Watching gauges and any other types of indicators to make sure equipment is running properly.
  • The ability to understand complex written paragraphs, instructions, or reports.
  • Using scientific methods to investigate and conduct experiments.
  • Talking, giving speeches, or speaking in a group to convey information, explain ideas, or give instructions.
  • Teaching others how to do something.
Recommended Values:
  • Having the ability to work with equipment or material things.
  • Being involved in helping other people in a direct way either individually or in a small group.
 

* National data collected by the Department of Labor in 2014 with projections through 2024. For New York green job information .

* For New York salary data information .

* For New York green job information .

Understanding acquiring positions in this field may be enhanced through continuing academic study (i.e. earning a baccalaureate or a master's degree) and/or work experience in the field, Queensborough Community College has established transfer agreements with other institutions for students who wish to further pursue their educational goals. Students are highly encouraged to meet with one of our Career Services to fully understand the opportunities available through study in their degree program.