Medical Laboratory Technologists
(NOC 3211)
in All HealthMedical laboratory technologists conduct medical laboratory tests, experiments, and analyses to help diagnose, treat, and prevent disease. It has been estimated that 85 percent of medical diagnostic decisions are made based on laboratory results. They work in medical laboratories in hospitals, blood banks, community and private clinics, research facilities and post-secondary educational institutions. Medical laboratory technologists who are supervisors are included in this group. Medical laboratory technologists may specialize in areas like clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, hematology, histotechnology, immunohematology, cytotechnology and cytogenetics.
Job Outlook
Good
Read more
Compared to: All Health
There has been a shortage of lab technologists across the country for a few years. Candidates, even including recent graduates with relatively little experience, are not expected to encounter much difficulty finding a job.
Hourly Pay
$26.92
Minimum$34.43
Median$43.30
MaximumAnnual Pay
$20,663
Minimum$64,210
Median$74,821
MaximumCompared to: All Health
Hourly Pay
$16.70
Minimum$26.60
Median$43.30
MaximumAnnual Pay
$10,740
Minimum$43,853
Median$88,944
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Medical laboratory technologists conduct medical laboratory tests, experiments, and analyses to help diagnose, treat, and prevent disease. It has been estimated that 85 percent of medical diagnostic decisions are made based on laboratory results. They work in medical laboratories in hospitals, blood banks, community and private clinics, research facilities and post-secondary educational institutions. Medical laboratory technologists who are supervisors are included in this group. Medical laboratory technologists may specialize in areas like clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, hematology, histotechnology, immunohematology, cytotechnology and cytogenetics.
Job duties
Medical laboratory technologists:
- Set up, use, and maintain laboratory equipment.
- Conduct chemical analyses of blood, urine, and other body fluids.
- Study blood cells and other tissues to determine their relation to various conditions.
- Prepare tissue sections for microscopic examinations using techniques to demonstrate special cellular tissue elements or other characteristics.
- Complete blood group, type, and compatibility tests for transfusion purposes.
- Establish procedures for the analysis of specimens and for medical laboratory experiments.
- Conduct quality control assessment of testing techniques.
- May supervise and train other medical laboratory technical staff, students, and helpers.
- May help pathologists during autopsies.
Sample job titles
- autopsy technologist - medical laboratory
- clinical laboratory technologist
- combined laboratory and x-ray technologist
- immunology technologist - medical laboratory
- medical laboratory supervisor
- medical laboratory technologist
- medical technologist
- microbiology technologist - medical laboratory
- registered medical technologist
- tissue technologist - medical laboratory
Skills
- This work demands accuracy and close attention to detail. You must have good manual dexterity and be comfortable working with instruments and technology, including information technology. Good communication skills and the ability to work with various health professionals are important. Although teamwork is essential, an MLT must be self-sufficient and able to work independently, be capable of critical thinking, and exercise good judgement. You must be flexible, open to change, and willing to keep pace with rapid developments in the field.
Job requirements
- A two- or three-year college program in medical laboratory technology is required and a period of supervised practical training may be required.
- Registration with the provincial licensing body is required to work in Nova Scotia.
- Certification by the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science is usually required by employers.
Other considerations
- Depending on the size and type of institution, people in these jobs may be required to work evenings, weekends, or holidays.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Health
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
$60,147 median annual incomeCape Breton
$64,933 median annual incomeNorth Shore
$66,074 median annual incomeSouthern
$64,719 median annual incomeAnnapolis Valley
$65,254 median annual incomeCompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Health care and social assistance
Educational services
Professional, scientific and technical services
Public administration
Finance and insurance
What is the age of Employment?
45-54
25-34
55-64
35-44
65+
15-24
Compared to: All Health
25-34
45-54
35-44
55-64
15-24
Top levels of education
College Diploma
$64,202 median annual incomeBachelor
$64,129 median annual incomeMaster
N/ADiploma Below Bachelor
N/ATrade Certification
N/ACompared to: All Health
College Diploma
$40,033 median annual incomeBachelor
$61,668 median annual incomeMedicine, Dentistry, Veterinary, Optometry
$81,191 median annual incomeHigh school
$24,829 median annual incomeMaster
$69,296 median annual incomeEducation & training
Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technologist
College or University ProgramThese programs prepare students to conduct and supervise complex medical tests, clinical trials, and research experiments, manage clinical laboratories, and consult with physicians and clinical researchers on diagnoses, disease causation and spread, and research outcomes. They include courses in the theory and practice of hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, immunology, immunohematology, physiological relationships to test results, laboratory procedures and quality assurance controls, test and research design and implementation, analytic techniques, laboratory management and personnel supervision, data development and reporting, medical informatics, and professional standards and regulations.
Institutions providing this program
Various, NS
Cytotechnology
College or Trades ProgramThese programs prepare students to work with pathologists to detect changes in body cells that may indicate, and permit diagnosis of, the early development of cancers and other diseases. They include courses in biochemistry, microbiology, applied mathematics, microscopy, slide preparation, identification of cellular structures and abnormalities, and laboratory procedures and safety.
Institutions providing this program
Genetics
University ProgramThese programs focus on the scientific study of the organization, recombination, function, regulation, and transmission of heritable information in biological organisms at all levels of complexity. They include courses in Mendelian genetics, mechanisms of gene regulation, chromosome structure and replication, epigenetic phenomena, DNA repair and recombination, sex determination, genetic interactions between genomes, and molecular evolution.
Institutions providing this program
Molecular Biology
University ProgramThese programs focus on the scientific study of the structure and function of biological macromolecules and the role of molecular constituents and mechanisms in supramolecular assemblies and cells. They include courses in such topics as molecular signalling and transduction, regulation of cell growth, enzyme substrates and mechanisms of enzyme action, DNA-protein interaction, and applications to fields such as biotechnology, genetics, cell biology, and physiology.
Institutions providing this program
Truro, NS
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Right to Title and Practice: This job is regulated. The job title is protected, and you may not use it without a professional licence. A licence shows that the holder has met provincial requirements and is required to legally do this work.