Laboratory Professions

The Laboratory has a variety of professionals that comprise the staff.

Medical Technologist

The Medical Technologist (MT) is an individual with a Bachelors Degree in Medical Technology, performs analysis on blood and body fluids to provide reports to physicians for clinical decision making. While some Medical Technologists specialize in a particular area of a laboratory, others are considered generalists and work through the lab.

Medical Laboratory Technician

A Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) is an individual with an Associates Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology. The MLT also performs analysis on blood and other body fluids to provide physicians with diagnostic tools for the treatment of patients. The MLT may specialize or work as a generalist in the laboratory.

Both the MT and MLT educational programs contain a clinical component to the formal training received during their schooling.

All Laboratory Techs utilize microscopes, cell counters and other sophisticated laboratory equipment to provide results to patients. The MT or MLT may also collect blood or body fluid samples directly from patients to analyze. The collection of samples may also be done by a phlebotomist, a physician or other clinical health care providers. Individuals working in laboratories must pay strict attention to detail in the collection, labeling and preparation of samples. They must also perform daily calibration testing on the instruments utilized in the lab.

Subspecialties within the laboratory include Blood Bank, hematology, microbiology, cytology, histology and immunology to name but a few.

For more information on accredited and approved educational programs for Clinical Laboratory Technician and Technologist programs, please visit The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.