Career Explorer
Business
Health
Education
Human Service
Culinary
Technology & Engineering
Computers
Auto/DieselHealth
Medical Lab Technician
Medical Lab Technicians work under the supervision of a qualified physician and/or medical technologist. You prepare specimens, operate analyzers, and perform manual tests to examine and analyze body fluids and cells, looking for bacteria, parasites, and other microorganisms. You may also analyze the chemical content of fluids, match blood for transfusions, or test for drug levels in the blood that show how a patient is responding to treatment. As your experience and skill levels increase, you may take on additional responsibilities and perform more varied and complex tests.
At Baker, you’ll study under people who are highly experienced in the field. Through our real-world, hands-on training, you’ll learn how to perform laboratory procedures and operate automated analyzers in a variety of areas — hematology, microbiology, immunohematology, immunology, clinical chemistry, and urinalysis. Upon program completion, you will be ready and eligible to sit for national certification as a Medical Laboratory Technician.
Career Facts
- The average annual salary for a Medical Technician is $37,860.
- With an increasing volume of laboratory tests due to population growth and new types of tests, employment of clinical laboratory workers is expected to grow by 14 percent between 2008 and 2018, faster than the average for all occupations.
- Most jobs will be in hospitals, but employment will also grow rapidly in other settings.
- Hours vary with the size and type of employment setting. You may work shifts, weekends or holidays in a large hospital or independent lab. In small facilities, you may work on rotating shifts or be on call in case of an emergency.
- Medical Lab Technicians can advance and become technologists through additional education and experience.
- Professional certification and a degree in medical technology, one of the biological sciences, chemistry, management, or education usually speeds advancement.
Programs
Want to get the ball rolling?
Everything about our college is aimed at getting you the job you want in the shortest time possible — from our affordable tuition, to how we choose our programs, to our small class sizes, and flexible class schedules.
Discover what Baker can do for your future. Schedule a visit or enroll online today.
