Medical Laboratory Scientists

Medical Laboratory Scientists (Medical Technologists) perform complex medical laboratory tests for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.

Summary

Medical Technologists perform complex chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic, and bacteriological analyses, including:

• Microscopically examine blood and other body fluids.
• Make cultures of body fluid and tissue samples to determine the presence of bacteria, fungi, parasites, or other microorganisms.
• Analyze samples for chemical content or a chemical reaction and determine concentrations of compounds such as blood glucose and cholesterol levels.
• Type and cross-match blood samples for transfusions.
• Evaluate test results, develop and modify procedures, and establish and monitor programs to ensure the accuracy of tests.
• Some supervise others in the laboratory.

More than half of the Medical Technologist jobs are in hospitals. Most of the remaining jobs are in offices of physicians and in medical and diagnostic laboratories.

Rapid job growth and excellent job opportunities for Medical Technologists are expected. Most jobs will continue to be in hospitals, but employment will grow faster in other settings. Employment of laboratory workers is expected to grow 14 percent between 2006 and 2016, faster than average for all occupations.

 

Educational Requirements

The medical Technology career generally requires a bachelor’s degree in Biology, Chemistry or Medical Laboratory Science, and if students obtain a BS in Biology or Chemistry, enrollment into a Medical Laboratory Science certification or master’s program is required. These are typically 1-2 years in length and require specific prerequisites for enrollment.  Search what prerequisites these programs typically require in the list of Indiana accredited programs below. 

 

Salary Information 2023

According to salary.com, the average salary of a Medical Laboratory Scientist in 2023 was $76,005.

 

Want to know more?

• American Medical Technologists
• Bureau of Labor & Statistics
• O*NET

Get Connected

Belonging to professional organizations & LinkedIn groups can provide you with networking, informational interviewing, & job shadowing opportunities, as well as assist you with finding internships and jobs.

• The American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
• American Medical Technologists
• List of Professional Organizations

Get Experience

Research & Internship Listings

Find an Accredited Program in Indiana

• Parkview Hospital (Fort Wayne)
• IU School of Medicine Master’s degree
• Saint Margaret Mercy Healthcare Centers
• IU Health Methodist Hospital Clinical Laboratory Sciences
• Good Samaritan Hospital
• Find a U.S. Accredited Program in Medical Laboratory Sciences.

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Information retrieved from American Medical Technologists and Bureau of Labor & Statistics.