M edical Lab Technician
You’re a critical thinker who is eager to join the growing healthcare field. As a medical lab technician, you can put your skills to work in a fulfilling career that promotes wellness in everyone you encounter. By conducting and analyzing lab tests and performing medical research, medical lab technicians are a crucial part of a healthcare team.
T he Perks
With a high job satisfaction, minimal training time and opportunities to grow, medical lab technician is a job path perfect for bright and driven people like you.
15
Months
It takes roughly 7 to 15 months of job training to become a medical lab technician.
13
Growth
Medical lab technician jobs will grow by approximately 13% between 2016 and 2026.
41,700
Salary
The average annual salary for a medical lab technician is $41,700.
Dan Jones
MLT
I love that I get to use my passion for science in a relatively low-stress healthcare. I enjoy what I do and am already on the path to advance my career.
W hat Do I Need?
With a handful of skills and one to two years of training, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a medical lab technician.
High School Diploma
Associate's Degree
Those hoping to become medical lab technicians typically need a two-year associate’s degree through an accredited program.
On-the-Job Training
Once you begin work, you’ll be trained by a senior technician or other healthcare professional.
Analytical Thinking
Medical lab technicians need to be able to analyze body fluids and tissue samples and record any abnormal findings.
Love of Science
As a medical lab technician, you’ll get to put your curiosity for chemistry, biology and physiology to good use.
Certification (optional)
Even if your state does not require certification, getting certified can be a great boost to your resume.
High School Diploma
Employers require medical lab technician job candidates have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Associate's Degree
Those hoping to become medical lab technicians typically need a two-year associate’s degree through an accredited program.
On-the-Job Training
Once you begin work, you’ll be trained by a senior technician or other healthcare professional.
Analytical Thinking
Medical lab technicians need to be able to analyze body fluids and tissue samples and record any abnormal findings.
Love of Science
As a medical lab technician, you’ll get to put your curiosity for chemistry, biology and physiology to good use.
Certification (optional)
Even if your state does not require certification, getting certified can be a great boost to your resume.
Y our Resources
Ready to get started? Here are some resources and pathways you can explore to get started in a successful career as a medical lab technician!
Clinical Laboratory Technology, Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
This program prepares students for entry-level positions as clinical laboratory technicians. Through classroom and practical experience in hospital and clinical laboratories, students learn to perform qualitative, quantitative and analytic testing in microbiology, hematology, immunohematology, clinical chemistry, serology, immunology and urinalysis.
BJC HealthCare Careers
Are you determined to provide excellent care with your talent, ambition, skills, and experience? Join the team at BJC HealthCare. Positions are available for nurses, CNAs, medical assistants, customer support representatives, and other health care professionals.
SSM Health Careers
SSM Health is one of the largest integrated health care delivery systems in the nation, with over 40,000 employees in four states. Nurses, medical assistants, CNAs and other health care professionals can find excellent employment opportunities at the SSM Health Careers website.
BESt Pharmacy Summer Institute
This 6-week summer program exposes and prepares local multicultural high school students for future careers in healthcare (emphasis in pharmacy). Program combines academics, exposure, and professional development. Academics focus on improving mathematics, science, language arts, and ACT/SAT skills.
EXPLORE Healthcare with Centene
EXPLORE is a free Career Immersion Program for St. Louis high school students of color which connects students to industry leaders at SSM Health.This program might be a fit for students who enjoy working with people, medicine, laboratory research, or computers, equipments and machines.
Healthcare Industry Training and Education – HITE
The HITE program provides eligible low-income individuals the opportunity to receive training for a career in the healthcare industry. Training is available for nursing, technician, secretarial, and a wide range of other positions.
