Medical Laboratory Technician

Common tasks

• Perform quality control analyses to ensure accuracy of test results.
• Conduct blood tests for transfusion purposes and perform blood counts.
• Conduct chemical analyses of body fluids, such as blood or urine, using microscope or automatic analyzer to detect abnormalities or diseases and enter findings into computer.
• Analyze the results of tests or experiments to ensure conformity to specifications, using special mechanical or electrical devices.
• Set up, maintain, calibrate, clean, and test sterility of medical laboratory equipment.
• Obtain specimens, cultivating, isolating, and identifying microorganisms for analysis.
• Examine cells stained with dye to locate abnormalities.
• Collect blood or tissue samples from patients, observing principles of asepsis to obtain blood sample.
• Test raw materials, processes, or finished products to determine quality or quantity of materials or characteristics of a substance.
• Prepare standard volumetric solutions or reagents to be combined with samples, following standardized formulas or experimental procedures.

Most important skills

Reading Comprehension

Reading work-related information.

Active Listening

Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.

Quality Control Analysis

Testing how well a product or service works.

Critical Thinking

Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.

Operations Monitoring

Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.

Speaking

Talking to others.

Judgment and Decision Making

Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.

Time Management

Managing your time and the time of other people.