If you possess all the skills and qualifications required, this may be the best time to apply for a medical laboratory technician job in the USA.
Apart from the fact that these types of professionals are heavily paid in the United States of America, there are lots of incentives that they get.
Lots of companies in the United States of America are looking for workers to fill up certain positions and they will go as far as sponsoring qualified foreigners to come to perform these duties.
Who is a Medical Laboratory Technician?
A medical laboratory technician, also known as a clinical laboratory technician, is a professional who uses laboratory equipment, tests, and procedures to assess the health of human tissues and blood samples.
They work under the supervision of physicians, laboratory technologists, and laboratory managers in clinical, diagnostic, or hospital laboratories.
Medical technologists, laboratory scientists, respiratory technologists, X-ray technologists, and pharmacy technologists are all common names for MLTs.
Technologists hold bachelor’s degrees, whereas technicians hold diplomas, certificates, or two-year associate degrees. Technologists typically have more education and advancement opportunities than technicians and earn higher wages.
Types of Medical Laboratory Technician Jobs
There are multiple types of medical laboratory technician jobs you can take on in USA based on your qualification.
Medical/Clinical Lab Technician
MLTs, or lab technicians, work with integrated systems and perform mechanical or diagnostic tests in clinical laboratories. Some MLTs work independently, while others prefer to work in companies where they are part of larger professional teams. The average annual salaries of these technicians range from $51,686 to $62,971.
Cytogenetic Technician
A cytogenetic technician is an MLT who examines genetic elements within cells. You will analyze chromosomes and other genetic materials as a cytogenetic technician. You’ll also keep detailed notes on each sample.
This includes ensuring that any sample is linked to the correct patient. Overall, you will examine cells at a microscopic level for signs of abnormalities or disease.
The work is done in a medical facility or research institution with a lab manager and as part of a cytogenetic team. The average annual salary in this profession ranges from $68,900 and $83,735.
Histotechnician
Histotechnicians are professionals who study the minute structures of biological materials to determine how they are structurally and functionally related. The study of how biochemistry, molecular biology, and physiology interact with disease processes is included in this field.
You’ll be studying and analyzing samples, as well as reporting data to researchers, doctors, and scientists, as with other MLT specialties. The average annual salaries of these technicians range from $53,030 and $65,024.
Pathologist Assistant
A PA’s primary responsibility is to assist a pathologist in the preparation and diagnosis of tissue, blood, and other specimens in a sterile laboratory. As a PA, you may also examine corpses to determine the cause of death, depending on your work environment.
Collecting and dissecting postmortem specimens, performing various tests on samples, taking diagnostic images, and documenting your findings are all possible tasks. Some PAs may be asked to train colleagues or assist with autopsies on occasion, which requires some social interaction.
However, the majority of responsibilities are lab-based and can be completed independently. The average annual salaries of these professionals range from $61,598 and $109,304.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist
A nuclear medicine technologist performs imaging tests that assist doctors in detecting abnormalities inside the body. Patients are given small doses of radioactive materials, and then images of organs or other body parts where the substances localize are captured using specialized equipment.
You will interact with patients as a nuclear medicine technologist when explaining procedures to them. You’ll also inspect equipment and possibly administer radiopharmaceutical material, which is administered orally, intravenously, or via inhalation.
The average annual salaries of these professionals range from $86,000 to $89,000.
Anesthesia Technician
If you enjoy working with machinery while also being a part of a care team with indirect responsibility for patients, a career as an anesthesia technician may be for you. The average annual salary of these workers ranges from $43,000 to $53,000.
Requirements and Skills for Medical Laboratory Technician Jobs
To become a Medical Laboratory Technician, you must possess the following skills and qualifications;
- Comprehension skills
- Attention to details
- Critical Thinking
- Problem-Solving Skills
- Manual Dexterity
- Active Listening
- Good Physical stamina
- A High school diploma
- Post-secondary education.
- A state licenses
- Certification from professional organizations.
- A bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory science or technology.
Duties and Responsibility for Medical Laboratory Technician Jobs
MLTs perform laboratory tests and procedures, most notably microscopic, bacteriological, hematological, immunologic, and chemical diagnostic tests and analyses on tissue, blood, urine, stool, synovial fluid, and sperm samples.
Through accurate and efficient lab tests, they look for critical clues to the absence, presence, and extent of disease causes and progression.
Physicians and other specialists use the test results obtained by technicians to make appropriate diagnoses and treatment plans.
- Sending test results to doctors.
- Keeping accurate test results records.
- Specimen collection, preparation, and storage.
- Patients’ explanations of test procedures.
- Examining and approving samples collected by other professionals.
- Ensure optimal test sample integrity, quantity, and type.
- Preparing lab reagents and standard test solutions
- Keeping a clean and safe work environment
- Standardization of test procedures to ensure consistency, dependability, and utility of results
- Calibration of equipment, development of standard operating procedures, and determination of proper test reference ranges
- Using automated equipment and computerized lab instruments to run multiple tests at the same time
Benefits of Medical Laboratory Technician Jobs
These professionals typically receive the following benefits;
- Visa Sponsorship
- 401(k) matching
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Employee stock purchase plan
- Flexible spending account
Websites to Find Medical Laboratory Technicians
To find a job as a medical laboratory technician, search from the following websites;
How to Apply for Medical Laboratory Technician Job in USA
In this section, we will walk you through the steps of applying for a job as a Medical Laboratory Technician with visa sponsorship:
- Visit a website such as LinkedIn or Indeed. If you do not already have an account with the platform, you should create one by filling out the form with your information.
- Use the search bar to look for a job by typing the job title and location you want to work in.
- Click on the preferred job and location from the list displayed.
- Examine the job description to ensure that you are qualified for the position.
- Click the “apply” button to the right.
- Enter a standard curriculum vitae and application letter that US employers will appreciate.
Medical Laboratory Technician Job Interview Question
Here are some questions to expect when you get invited for an interview;
- Please tell me a little about yourself.
- What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?
- What would your previous employer say about you?
- What influenced you to pursue a career in this field?
- Why do you want to work in our laboratory?
- What aspects of our research has your interest?
- How do you stay up to date on the latest developments in our industry?
- What scientific journals do you read?
- Please elaborate on the scientific method.
- Why do you like doing hands-on work?
Average Salary of MLTs
Medical laboratory technicians earn an average annual salary of $58,968 to $64,000. This figure can vary depending on their experience and the location of their employer, among other factors. MLTs working in public health facilities, for example, typically earn more than those working in private hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic laboratories.
H1B Work Visa for Medical Laboratory Technician
The H1B visa category allows employers to petition for highly educated foreign professionals to work in specialty occupations requiring a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent.
If you do not have a bachelor’s degree, you can substitute a low degree or your employment certificate. This visa is one of the best for visa sponsorship. Although it is a temporary visa, you can apply for an extension.
Work Environment of MLTs
Medical laboratory technicians can work in a variety of settings, such as:
- Commercial, and diagnostic laboratories, hospitals.
- Blood and organ donation centers
- Fertility clinics
- Pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms
- Organizations dedicated to public health
- Infrastructure for research
- laboratories of reference
- Companies that sell medical equipment
Frequently Asked Question
What Is the Concept of a Medical Laboratory Technician?
Medical laboratory technologists perform medical laboratory tests, experiments, and analyses to help with disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. They work in hospitals, private clinics, research institutions, and universities in medical laboratories.
What Is the Difference Between Medical Laboratory Technician and Medical Laboratory Technology?
Medical lab technicians cannot perform more complex laboratory tests than technologists. While lab technicians can perform basic tests like blood work and urine analyses, technologists can perform more complex tests.
What Is the Salary of an Anesthesia Technician in America?
Certified Anesthesia technicians and Technologists earn salaries ranging from $62,760 to $139,540 in the United States.
