Job description Medical Laboratory Technologist in Canada

Find out what work is like for a medical laboratory technologist in Canada. This work description is applicable to all Medical laboratory technologists (NOC 32120).

Medical laboratory technologists

Description

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.

Work week duration

Medical laboratory technologists usually work between 35 to 40 hours per week.
Between 35 to 40 hours

Job duties

Here are some of the main activities and tasks that Medical laboratory technologists have to perform, and some of the physical demands they involve:

  • 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.

Physical demands Help - Physical Demands

  • Making repetitive motions
  • Handling material manually
  • Standing
  • Walking and running
  • Sitting

Physical demands

Physical demands are the physical activities that the job requires the worker to do. Physical demands are selected according to the likeliness that workers will have to perform them for at least half of the time they spend at work.

Workplaces and employers

Here are the typical workplaces where Medical laboratory technologists are employed and some of their main characteristics:

  • Blood banks
  • Medical laboratories
  • Community clinics
  • Research institutions
  • Private clinics
  • Post-secondary educational institutions
  • Hospitals

Work environment Help - Physical Work Environment

  • Indoors, environmentally controlled
  • Biological agents
  • Standard safety equipment
  • Dangerous chemical substances
  • Sound and noise
  • Skin injury
  • Hazardous conditions

Physical proximity from others Help - Physical proximity from others

  • Physically touching or very close

Work environment

The work environment refers to the physical setting in which people work. The characteristics and conditions of the work environment are selected according to the likeliness that workers will be exposed to them at least once a week.

Physical proximity from others

Physical proximity from others refers to the physical distance between individuals in the workplace. The likeliness that the job requires to perform tasks while being physically close to other people is rated on a scale with 3 levels: "Somewhat close", "Close" and "Very close".

Related job titles

Here are some other related job titles that are found in the same occupational category (NOC 32120), and a list of similar occupations:

  • cytogenetics technologist - medical laboratory
  • histology technologist
  • medical laboratory cytotechnologist
  • medical laboratory technologist
  • medical laboratory technologist - anatomical pathology
  • medical laboratory technologists supervisor
  • medical technologist - medical laboratory

Similar occupations Help - Similar occupations

Similar occupations

This section lists other occupations that are part of the same broad occupational category as Medical laboratory technologists in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These occupations involve similar core qualifications but involve different responsibilities. To see more similar occupations, use the Job Transition Tool.

Sources Occupational and Skills Information System & National Occupational Classification

Labour Market Information Survey
Date modified: