Medical Laboratory Workers

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Medical Laboratory Workers

• Career Ladder

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Medical Laboratory Worker

• Medical laboratory workers perform many varied
  tests. Some of these tests are highly technical,
  whereas others are not as technical. In many
  cases, tests are performed on computerized
  equipment. Medical laboratory workers determine
  changes that have occurred in the blood, urine,
  lymph, and body tissues. They identify increases
  or decreases in white or red blood cells,
  cross-match blood for transfusion, identify
  microscopic changes in cells, and determine the
  presence of parasites, viruses, or bacteria in
  the blood, tissue, or urine. These tests help
  the physician make an accurate diagnosis and
  correctly treat the patient.

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• Medical laboratory workers have many career
  opportunities. They work for acute care
  hospitals, private laboratories, physicians
  offices, clinics, ambulatory care units, health
  maintenance organizations, public health
  agencies, pharmaceutical firms, and research
  institutions. Their work requires a lot of
  walking, standing, reaching, stooping, lifting,
  and carrying of equipment. In addition, they
  need good eyesight for close work. They work
  indoors and may be exposed to unpleasant odors
  and body fluids and have frequent contact with
  water and cleaning solutions. Their jobs often
  require them to work shifts and weekends.

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TASKSMedical Laboratory Aides

• Clean laboratory equipment
• Prepare cleaning solutions
• Dry glassware and instruments using a cloth,
  hot-air dryer, or acetone bath
• Examine clean equipment for cracks or chips and
  store equipment properly
• Operate an autoclave to sterilize equipment
• Prepare stains, solutions, and culture media
  following appropriate procedures

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TASKSPhlebotomists/Venipuncture Technicians

• Draw blood from patients for testing by the
  technician or technologist

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Medical Laboratory Technician

• Two years of training in a community college, 4
  year college or university, or vocational/technica
  l school
• Two years of training in a laboratory technician
  program
• Successful completion of requirements for
  certification established by the National
  Certification Agency for Medical Laboratory
  Personnel
• Average Income Annually-23,500-30,000

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Medical Laboratory Assistant Blood and Plasma

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Completion of an approved 12 month medical
  laboratory technician certificate program in a
  community college, vocational school, or private
  program
• Average Income Annually-12,500-24,500

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Medical Phlebotomist

• High school graduate or equivalent
• Ten to 20 hour certification program in a
  hospital, physicians office or laboratory
• Completion of a vocational education program as a
  phlebotomist
• Average Income Annually-15,500-23,000

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Medical Laboratory Aide

• High school diploma or equivalent
• On-the-job training for at least 2 months
• Completion of a vocational education program as a
  laboratory aide
• Average Income Annually-12,500-15,500