Medical laboratory technicians can enter into the field straight from high school or a vocational technical field or they can pursue degrees and certificates which will give them an opportunity to assume more responsibility and to earn a bigger medical laboratory technician salary. These techs will perform jobs such as checking medications, taking blood pressure counts on patients, listening for a steady pulse, checking temperatures, and checking bandages on wounds.

Med techs with formal training will be allowed to draw blood, insert IVs, and check patient charts for progress updates. These techs will work closely with doctors and nurses, as well as the patients in a formal medical environment setting.

Medical Laboratory Technician Salary Information:

Certified medical laboratory technicians with formal training and education can expect to start out making an average medical laboratory technician salary in the range from $28,000 to $40,000. This is an average starting income for people who have been professionally trained either through medical clinics, nursing programs, formal online degree programs, or vocational technical schools.

People can enter into the medical field directly from high school but will not be certified medical techs until they have completed formal training and have passed state-required tests. People without formal training who do become medical laboratory techs will have less responsibility and can expect to earn an average starting medical laboratory technician salary of $18,000 to $24,000. This salary can be increased once work experience is gained.

Many hospitals and medical clinics will pay for the person to continue his or her education to become a certified medical technician. This action is typically only done if the person agrees to remain employed with the company for a specific amount of time. The time can be anywhere from five to seven years in many cases. It is a good way to continue your education without having to take out expensive student loans.

Medical Laboratory Technician Education Requirements:

Medical laboratory technicians often pursue Associate degrees which prepare them to enter into the medical field and allow them to be capable of doing all basic things such as drawing blood, inserting IVs, taking culture samples, and administering medication. These lab techs who achieve these degrees are certified and are required to pass state board exams before becoming certified.

The techs that complete an Associates program will be able to perform a variety of duties which may include being involved in medical billing, physician assisting, pharmacy work, and ultrasound duties. These people will perform many duties throughout hospitals and emergency centers if employed in such places. They will be qualified to work in community health departments and in laboratory medical research clinics.

Bachelor degrees are also available to medical laboratory technicians. A Bachelor degree will add business and medical terminology skills to the medical treatment skills that the person will learn. A person with a Bachelor degree in medical technician and terminology will be able to perform a large variety of duties and will often be found working in supervisory positions in medical laboratories.

Work Environment for Medical Laboratory Technicians:

The work environment for a medical laboratory technician is a sterile and highly-clean environment. The environment is also commonly fast-paced and very structured as a medical technician has many duties and must report to attending nurses and physicians, as well as participate with patient care procedures.

It is not uncommon for medical laboratory technicians to be required to work overtime several times a week. Sometimes this is due to emergencies that arise or due to high volumes of sick or injured people, and sometimes it is due to co-workers calling in sick. Being a medical laboratory technician can be very challenging but also very rewarding. The long-term benefits include desirable pay scales, exceptional work benefit packages which include insurance, 401K, employee gyms and daycare, and paid time off once earned.

The medical field is one of the most stable fields in the job industry as the need for healthcare will never go away. Hospitals and medical clinics often offer sign-on bonuses for medical laboratory technicians. This is a great way to begin employment in the medical field while receiving an extra financial incentive.

Most medical laboratory technicians are required to wear hospital scrubs and lab coats and supportive shoes. Beginning in this industry is an ideal way to begin a future in the medical field which can be advanced through work experience or continued education.