Medical Laboratory Technician:
A Career for You.

The challenges and rewards of medicine and science - the medical laboratory technician has the best of both worlds.

A medical laboratory technician performs general tests in all laboratory areas.  Working under the supervision of a medical technologist, a medical laboratory technician hunts for clues to the absence, presence, extent, and causes of diseases.

Medical laboratory technicians must be accurate, dedicated, and skilled.  They must also be self-motivated, to take initiative to do what must be done everyday - to pitch in to help the healthcare team.
With a background in Medical Laboratory Technology and further education, students are well prepared to be competitive for acceptance into medical school and in the growing discipline of Forensic Science.

Today, there are more jobs for laboratory personnel than educated people to fill those jobs.  The future long-term employment looks bright - well into the next century.  The need is great everywhere throughout the country.

The national average beginning salary for medical laboratory technicians is $19,000 - $30,000 per year, although salaries vary by area of the country.

All medical laboratory technicians
have certain common characteristics.  They are problem solvers.  They like challenge and responsibility.  They are accurate, reliable, emotionally stable, work well under pressure and are able to finish a task once started.  They communicate well, both in writing and speaking.  They set high standards for themselves and expect quality in the work they do.  But, above all, they are deeply committed to their profession, and are truly fascinated by all that science has to offer.  For someone who chooses a career as a medical laboratory technician, the exploration never ends.

To prepare for a career as a medical laboratory technician, you should have a solid foundation in high school sciences - biology, chemistry, math and computer science.  You'll need a combination of formal education plus clinical education in an accredited Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) program.  Over 200 community colleges and approximately 40 hospitals offer these programs.

Program Description

The Medical Laboratory Technology Program curriculum includes courses in basic sciences, mathematics, social sciences, and the humanities, as well as professional courses. The total time required to complete the degree requirements is two years. A clinical rotation will be performed during the last six months at a Clinical Affiliate.

With a career as a medical laboratory technician, you'll have unlimited choices.   Unlike many other careers, your education in medical laboratory technology will prepare you directly for a job.

While you're going to school, you can work part-time in a laboratory to earn extra money.  And you could start working full-time the day after you graduate.

See "Learn More About Becoming a Medical Laboratory Technician" on this page for information on how you can learn more about CAHEA programs in medical laboratory technology.

To be sure that laboratory workers are competent and able to perform high quality laboratory tests, MLT graduates are eligible to sit for the following certification exams: the Board of Registry of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel and American Medical Technologist. Students take this exam after meeting their academic and laboratory education requirements.  Those that pass the exam for medical laboratory technology may use the initials MLT (ASCP, AMT, or NCA) after their name and wear on their lab coats the blue and white emblems that show they are proficient in their field.

Medical laboratory technicians have an unlimited choice of practice settings. Hospitals, Crime labs, Pharmaceutical sales, Instrumentation sales representative, CDC, Research Labs, Veterinarian labs, for-profit laboratories, clinics, nursing homes, public health facilities, business and industry currently have positions open for qualified medical laboratory technicians.

A medical laboratory technician who earns a baccalaureate degree and either has three years of experience or attends a CAHEA accredited Medical Technologist program, can become a Medical Technologist. The Medical Technologist performs a full range of laboratory tests, from the most routine to the most complex, with little or no supervision.  Medical technologists can be teachers, supervisors or researchers. The MLT department at PRCC is unique in that we have an articulation with three area university to earn a baccalaureate degree.

Educational requirements/certification requirements: ASCP Board of Registry, Box 12270, Chicago, IL 606010.
NCA P.O Box 15945-289 Lenera, KS 66285
AMT 710 Wiggins Road Park Ridge, IL 60068-5765

Accredited programs in medical laboratory technology:  The Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA), 535 N. Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60610.

Scholarships or Loans: Contact schools offering accredited programs.

A career as a medical laboratory technician:  Visit laboratory professionals at your local hospital or laboratory.  Talk with biology teachers and career counselors in your school.