Career Focus Medical Laboratory Technician Copyright Texas Education Agency (TEA)

Career FocusMedical Laboratory Technician

Copyright Texas Education Agency (TEA)

What do they do?• Perform medical laboratory tests to diagnose,

treat, and prevent disease• Prepare specimens• Conduct chemical analyses of body fluids

using a microscope or automated analyzer


What do they do?• Examine cells to locate abnormalities• Analyze and record the results of tests and

experiments• Collect blood or tissue samples from patients• May work in several areas of a clinical

laboratory or specialize in just one


Tools they use• Automated analyzers - measure different

chemicals and other characteristics in biological samples quickly.

• Microscopes• Test tubes, trays, holders/adapters• Medical software


Working conditions• Wear common protective or safety shoes,

glasses, gloves, hearing protection, etc.• Exposed to disease, fumes, or infections • Indoors • A lot of time on their feet • Time pressure• Work with group or team • Must be accurate


Who they work for• Hospitals• Medical Centers• Pharmacies • Public Health• Private practice• Armed services• Industry• Medical Research• Corporations


Training required

• A Bachelor's degree with a major in medical technology or one of the life sciences

• An associate degree from a community college or a certificate from a hospital, a vocational or technical school, or the Armed Forces


Training required

• While Texas does not require licensing by the state, almost all lab tech employers require certification by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).


Skills• Oral and written comprehension • Finger dexterity • Information ordering - ability to arrange

information or actions in an effective and meaningful way

• Problem solving


Knowledge areas

• Math • English• Biology• Chemistry• Interpersonal communication


How much do they make

• Median wage for a Medical Laboratory Technician is $36,030 annually

O*net Summary of Medical Lab Technician


http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-2012.00

Career Focus Medical Laboratory Technician Copyright Texas Education Agency (TEA)

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