What the work is
A medical laboratory technician runs the tests doctors use to diagnose and monitor treatment: blood and urine tests, biochemistry, microbiology cultures and other investigations. They receive and register samples, work with analysers and microscopes, run quality control, check unusual results and tell the doctor about critical values.
A typical day
Running quality control on the analysers before work starts. Receiving and registering tubes and checking their labels. Running the tests and checking the results. Re-testing a value far outside the normal range and phoning the doctor. Maintaining the equipment and keeping track of reagents.
How to start
- Get a vocational or university qualification in laboratory diagnostics.
- Learn the rules of biosafety and sample handling.
- Build precision, care and the habit of double-checking.
- Do a placement in a clinical laboratory.
Related professions
Nurse, pharmacist, general practitioner, quality engineer.