Medical laboratory technologists

Strong job outlook

Overview

Medical laboratory technologists conduct medical laboratory tests, experiments and analyses to assist in the diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and prevention of disease. They are employed 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 unit group.

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

Set up, operate and maintain laboratory equipment
Conduct and interpret chemical analyses of blood, urine, and cerebrospinal and other body fluids
Study blood cells and other tissues to determine their relation to various physiological and pathological conditions
Prepare tissue sections for microscopic examinations using techniques to demonstrate special cellular tissue elements or other characteristics
Perform and interpret blood group, type and compatibility tests for transfusion purposes
Validate, document and report test results
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 assist pathologists during autopsies.
Medical laboratory technologists may specialize in areas such as clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, hematology, histotechnology, transfusion medicine or immunohematology, cytotechnology, cytogenetics and molecular genetics.

Job titles

advanced registered medical laboratory technologist
anatomical pathology technologist
autopsy technologist
blood bank technologist
clinical genetics technologist
clinical laboratory technologist

Employment prospects

Source: BC Labour Market Outlook 2023 edition

Annual salary

Low

$52,140

Median

$77,167

High

$95,938

Job openings

Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.

Strong job outlook

British Columbia

663

expected job openings (5-year forecast)

Education and training

Employment requirements

A two- or three-year college program in medical laboratory technology is required and a period of supervised practical training may be required.
Certification by the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science is usually required by employers.
Combined laboratory and X-ray technicians require completion of a combined laboratory X-ray technology program.
Registration with a regulatory body is required in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.
Some employers may require a university science degree for specialized medical laboratory technologists.

Additional information

In Quebec medical laboratory technologists are referred to as les technologistes médicaux and are regulated by l'Ordre professionnel des technologistes médicaux du Québec (OPTMQ).

Certification requirements

Optional: The following certification are optional to practice as Medical laboratory technologists in B.C.

Registration with the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science

Registration with the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification. To work as a medical laboratory technologist in B.C., you may choose to register with the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science. Eligibility is achieved by completing an accredited medical laboratory program and successfully writing the CSMLS Certification Exam.

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Post-secondary programs in B.C.

Explore programs related to this career offered at post-secondary institutions in B.C.

Medical Laboratory Science Diplomas

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