Individuals with a wide range of skills and interests can find work in the medical and healthcare fields. Professionals who enjoy conducting research and assisting in medical processes may work in a medical laboratory to examine medical samples or patients. Finding a medical laboratory position that aligns with your abilities and interests can help you find and pursue a rewarding career. In this article, we provide a list of seven types of medical laboratory jobs with salary information and a description of duties for each.
What is a Medical Laboratory job?
Medical laboratory jobs refer to the roles of professionals who work in medical and clinical environments to perform testing, research, analysis and reporting for healthcare and medical processes. Medical laboratories provide useful processes and procedures that lead to patient diagnoses, new treatment developments and medical discoveries. Individuals who enjoy conducting research and using the scientific process to generate data and conclusions can benefit from working with other professionals and scientists in a laboratory setting.
Job outlook for Medical Laboratory positions
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 11% increase in employment for clinical laboratory technologist and technician roles in the years between 2020 and 2030. The BLS categorizes this growth rate as "faster than average" for other occupations. They predict approximately 25,900 job openings in the field as medical research continues to grow and develop.
Seven types of medical laboratory jobs
Here are seven types of medical laboratory positions that feature different duties and areas of expertise.
1. Phlebotomist
National average salary: $50,915 per year
Primary duties: A phlebotomist works with patients in medical settings to draw blood for diagnostics, research, transfusions and procedures. Some phlebotomists may also conduct the assessment and testing of samples to produce reports and diagnoses. Medical facilities such as hospitals, laboratories, donation centers and doctors' offices hire phlebotomists for duties such as collecting blood, studying samples and writing reports.
2. Anesthesia technician
National average salary: $63,494 per year
Primary duties: An anesthesia technician assists anesthesiologists during medical procedures to ensure proper care and administering of anesthesia for patients. The technician often handles the equipment used when administering anesthesia. They may work in hospitals, surgical rooms and physicians' offices. The primary duties of an anesthesia technician include examining, testing, cleaning and operating equipment.
3. Medical technologist
National average salary: $64,239 per year
Primary duties: A medical technologist works in a clinical laboratory to perform testing and gather results for medical samples and processes. The technologist provides doctors and specialists with the data necessary to create a diagnosis and treatment plan for patients based on the results of tests and samples. A medical technologist's duties include preparing samples, conducting tests, reporting results and maintaining a proper lab environment.
4. Histology technician
National average salary: $65,470 per year
Primary duties: A histology technician is a medical and disease specialist who works with others in a lab to research the processes and causes of diseases. They may work with and prepare samples of tissues from plants, humans or animals to conduct research and detect medical processes and abnormalities. The primary duties of a histology technician include preparing microscopic slides, staining samples, examining tissue samples and assisting pathologists and researchers.
5. Cytotechnologist
National average salary: $85,868 per year
Primary duties: Cytotechnologists work to examine microscopic cell samples to detect, compare and evaluate abnormalities related to diseases and medical issues. They perform scientific research in a laboratory to assess human cell samples and analyze the significance of any abnormalities that occur. Cytotechnologists provide reports and data for pathologists and physicians to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. Primary duties include preparing samples, staining cells, operating microscopes, reporting findings and communicating results.
6. Pathologist assistant
National average salary: $86,868 per year
Primary duties: A pathologist assistant works in a medical laboratory or clinic under the supervision of a licensed pathologist. The assistant trains and works to perform the functions and procedures of surgical and autopsy diagnostics. The pathologist assistant provides the pathologist with the information and reports to reach a diagnosis. Common duties of a pathologist assistant include human tissue dissection, postmortem exam preparation and autopsy reporting.
7. Nuclear medical technician
National average salary: $93,270 per year
Primary duties: A nuclear medical technician is a healthcare professional who performs nuclear imaging testing for patients. The technician operates equipment and processes to administer radioactive drugs and operate specialized cameras to create imaging of a patient's internal organs. The primary duties of a nuclear medical technician include administering pharmaceuticals, sterilizing clinical environments, transporting and communicating with patients and handling imaging equipment.
Skills for Medical Laboratory Professionals
Medical laboratory jobs offer a large range of specialties and subject areas, but many of them utilize the same basic skills and theories to gather research and results. Here are some of the most common skills for medical laboratory positions:
•Scientific reporting: Lab employees conduct experiments and analyses on multiple samples and subjects regularly. Skills in scientific reporting ensure that data, results and conclusions remain accurate and consistent among lab members, physicians, nurses and patients.
•Observation: Testing and evaluating scientific and medical procedures and samples require skills in observation and attention to detail to detect abnormalities or symptoms of diseases and treatments. Laboratory employees may spend extended periods observing changes and processes in cells, blood samples and medical scans.
•Lab safety protocols: Medical processes, samples and chemicals require all lab employees to follow and understand safety procedures and sanitation guidelines. Using the skills and knowledge of lab safety measures ensures that samples, results and employees remain safe and accurate.
•Communication: Medical lab managers and employees communicate the results of tests and samples with surgeons, physicians, pharmacists and patients. Proper communication skills increase and maintain the accuracy of diagnoses, treatments, prescriptions and information for doctors and patients.
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