Medical Laboratory Technicians and Pathologists' Assistants
(NOC 3212)
in All HealthMedical laboratory technicians play an important supportive role in medical labs. They assist medical laboratory technologists by conducting routine medical laboratory tests and setting up, cleaning, and maintaining medical laboratory equipment. They are employed in medical laboratories in hospitals, clinics, research facilities, post-secondary educational institutions and government research laboratories. Medical laboratory technologists who are also supervisors are included in this group. Pathologists' assistants assist at autopsies and examinations of surgical specimens or perform autopsies under a pathologist's supervision. They are usually employed in hospitals and universities.
Job Outlook
Average
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Compared to: All Health
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a moderate sized occupation in Nova Scotia so some job opportunities may occur through turnover. The number employed in this occupation is expected to grow moderately over the next few years, which will likely provide some additional opportunities for employment. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Medical Laboratory Technicians and Pathologists' Assistants most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs are typically permanent positions.
The median employment income for 58% of Medical Laboratory Technicians and Pathologists' Assistants who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $47,417. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$20.50
Minimum$24.00
Median$35.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$8,349
Minimum$41,305
Median$67,684
MaximumCompared to: All Health
Hourly Pay
$16.38
Minimum$25.50
Median$41.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$10,740
Minimum$43,853
Median$88,944
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Medical laboratory technicians play an important supportive role in medical labs. They assist medical laboratory technologists by conducting routine medical laboratory tests and setting up, cleaning, and maintaining medical laboratory equipment. They are employed in medical laboratories in hospitals, clinics, research facilities, post-secondary educational institutions and government research laboratories. Medical laboratory technologists who are also supervisors are included in this group.
Pathologists' assistants assist at autopsies and examinations of surgical specimens or perform autopsies under a pathologist's supervision. They are usually employed in hospitals and universities.
Job duties
Medical laboratory technicians perform some or all of the following duties:
- Collect blood, tissue and other samples from patients.
- Log patient samples and prepare them for testing.
- Set up medical laboratory equipment.
- Conduct routine laboratory tests and sample analyses.
- Perform quality assurance of testing techniques.
- Clean and maintain medical laboratory and medical laboratory equipment.
Pathologists' assistants perform some or all of the following duties:
- Prepare for autopsies by obtaining patients' medical records and arranging for radiographic examinations.
- Assist with or perform autopsies and surgical specimen examinations under pathologists' supervision.
- Dissect, examine, weigh and photograph organs and specimens, collect tissue samples for chemical analysis and record findings.
- Discard specimens according to established safety procedures.
- Clean and maintain instruments, equipment and supplies.
- May prepare bodies for release to funeral homes following completion of autopsies.
- May supervise and train junior resident pathologists and morgue attendants.
Sample job titles
- biological technician - medical laboratory
- blood bank technician
- clinical laboratory technician
- community health technician - medical laboratory
- medical laboratory aide
- medical laboratory helper
- medical laboratory technician
- morgue attendant supervisor
- pathology assistant
- phlebotomist
Skills
This work demands close attention to detail. You must have good manual dexterity and be comfortable working with instruments and technology. Good communication skills and the ability to cooperate with others are important. You should be responsible, dependable, and willing to keep pace with rapid developments in the field.
Job requirements
- Medical laboratory technicians/assistants require completion of a college certificate program in medical laboratory science.
- Certification by the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science may be required for medical laboratory technicians/assistants.
- Combined laboratory and X-ray technicians require completion of a combined laboratory X-ray technology program.
- Pathologists' assistants require some post-secondary courses or a university degree in life sciences and specialized on-the-job training.
Other considerations
None
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
Cape Breton
Northern
Annapolis Valley
Southern
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
Northern
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Health Care and Social Assistance
Rubber, Plastics & Chemical Manufacturing
Public Administration
Textiles, Furniture and Other Manufacturing
Wholesale Trade
What is the age of Employment?
45-54
25-34
55-64
35-44
15-24
65+
Compared to: All Health
45-54
35-44
55-64
25-34
65+
Top levels of education
College certificate or diploma
$64,202 median annual incomeBachelor's degree
$64,129 median annual incomeHigh school
N/ATrades certificate
N/AUniversity certificate or diploma
N/ACompared to: All Health
College certificate or diploma
$36,693 median annual incomeBachelor's degree
$57,186 median annual incomeMedicine, dentistry, veterinary, optometry
$83,000 median annual incomeHigh school
$24,119 median annual incomeMaster's degree
$87,808 median annual incomeEducation & training
Clinical laboratory science/medical technology/technologist
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals 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. These programs 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
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
80 Mawiomi Place
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0A5
(902) 491-1100
Clinical/medical laboratory assistant
This program is typically offered at the trades/college level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of physicians or laboratory scientists or technologists, to perform testing procedures, phlebotomy, and other duties in support of laboratory teams. These programs include courses in clinical procedures, various laboratory tests, laboratory mathematics, computer technology, equipment operation and maintenance, sterilization and safety, communications skills, and interpersonal skills.
Institutions providing this program
315 Jamieson Street PO Box 33 Whitney Pier
Sydney, NS B1N 3B1
(902) 564-2222
Cytotechnology/cytotechnologist
This program is typically offered at the trades/college level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals 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. These programs 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
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
Epidemiology
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the scientific study of disease, disability, and trauma patterns within and across populations and the development of health management mechanisms to prevent and control disease outbreaks and injurious behaviours. These programs include courses in biostatistics, biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology, disease and injury determinants, genetic disease and disability factors, behavioural studies, health services research, environmental disease and injury factors, and population studies.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
Pathology/experimental pathology
This program is typically offered at the university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the scientific study of the expression, initiation, maintenance and progression of tissue injury and disease, including death, and the relationship of pathogenesis to fundamental molecular and cellular mechanisms. These programs include courses in immunology, microbiology, gene expression, inflammation, cell injury, apoptosis, immunopathology, molecular markers of disease and toxins, neoplasia, growth regulation, and organ- and system-specific investigations.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
Employment requirements & contacts
No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile