Medical Laboratory Technicians and Pathologists' Assistants
(NOC 3212)
in All HealthMedical laboratory technicians play an important supportive role in medical labs. They help medical laboratory technologists by doing routine medical laboratory tests and setting up, cleaning, and maintaining medical laboratory equipment. They work 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 help at autopsies and examinations of surgical specimens or perform autopsies under a pathologist's supervision. They usually work at 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 decline moderately over the next few years, which will likely limit the number of new opportunities available. With a moderate percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to contribute somewhat to employment opportunities over the coming years. Medical Laboratory Technicians and Pathologists' Assistants most commonly work full-time hours.
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
$12.95
Minimum$23.95
Median$34.34
MaximumAnnual Pay
$8,349
Minimum$41,305
Median$67,684
MaximumCompared to: All Health
Hourly Pay
$16.38
Minimum$30.45
Median$41.35
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 help medical laboratory technologists by doing routine medical laboratory tests and setting up, cleaning, and maintaining medical laboratory equipment. They work 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 help at autopsies and examinations of surgical specimens or perform autopsies under a pathologist's supervision. They usually work at hospitals and universities.
Job duties
Medical laboratory technicians:
- 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:
- Prepare for autopsies by locating patients' medical records and arranging for radiographic examinations.
- Help 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
Hours of work may vary. Assistants may work full-time, part-time, or casual relief hours. Standard weekday hours are common, but evening and night shifts may be required. Assistants mainly work in laboratory environments where they may have to spend a lot of time standing and performing repetitive tasks. Safety measures must be followed to reduce the risk to infectious body fluids, dangerous chemicals, or hazardous radiation.
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
Annapolis Valley
North Shore
Southern
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Health care and social assistance
Manufacturing
Public administration
Wholesale trade
Educational services
What is the age of Employment?
25-34
45-54
35-44
55-64
15-24
65+
Compared to: All Health
25-34
45-54
35-44
55-64
15-24
Top levels of education
College Diploma
$45,082 median annual incomeBachelor
$35,325 median annual incomeHigh school
$28,108 median annual incomeApprenticeship
$47,158 median annual incomeDiploma Below Bachelor
$39,737 median annual incomeCompared 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
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Assistant
College or Trades ProgramThese programs prepare students, under the supervision of physicians or laboratory scientists or technologists, to perform testing procedures, phlebotomy, and other duties in support of laboratory teams. They 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
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
Epidemiology
College or University ProgramThese programs focus 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. They 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
Pathology/Experimental Pathology
University ProgramThese programs focus 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. They 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
Employment requirements & contacts
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Contacts
Additional resources
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