Clinical laboratory technicians (CLTs) or medical laboratory technicians (MLTs) are clinical laboratory personnel who perform a variety of tests under the supervision of a medical technologist. They aid in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of disease and accomplish this through specific tasks, including inoculating culture media, performing microscopic evaluation and operating high-tech equipment. CLTs perform routine tests in the areas.

Work Environment:

Most medical laboratory technicians work in hospital laboratories under the supervision of medical technologists. Others are employed by private physicians, public health laboratories, medical research facilities, pharmaceutical companies, universities, industrial medical laboratories and the armed forces.

Academic Requirements:

Medical or clinical laboratory technicians must have an associate degree from an accredited community college, including clinical education. In addition, certification exams are voluntary, although most employers prefer certification through one of three agencies: The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA) or the American Medical Technologists (AMT).

Education Programs in the Region:

Associate Degree (2 years)
Halifax Community College

Salary Range: $27,000.00 - $40,000.00