A Day in Your Life as a Medical Laboratory Technician/Assistant

Behind nearly every single diagnosis there is a crucial medical laboratory technician/assistant gathering and analyzing the fluid samples that allow physicians to accurately treat patients. They are often the unsung heroes of our healthcare system, and the vital role they play is in high demand as patient needs across the country increase. This can pose a challenge for those of us seeking care, but for those looking for an empowering and rewarding career – those seeking healthcare training programs to become a medical technician – the timing has never been better.

We thought understanding precisely what you’ll face and embrace as a medical lab technician/assistant (MLT/A) could offer you insight on what will unfold after you get your medical technician certification.

A Day in Your Life as a Med Lab Technician/Assistant

An Overview – Your Responsibilities and Opportunities

As an MLT/A you will perform lab procedures and duties such as preparing specimens for testing, culture media and stock solutions, maintaining the highest standards for cleanliness, recognizing problems and errors in lab procedures, and writing reports. You will be responsible for drawing blood (phlebotomy, also known as venipuncture) and logging patient samples. This will be completed using state of the art lab equipment and computerized instruments capable of performing several tests simultaneously, as well as microscopes, cell counters, and many more.
As there is a wide array of opportunity in this field, you can select positions working in a variety of environments, from hospitals, specialty clinics and laboratories to long-term care facilities.

Your Workday

• Set the Tone at the Start:

• • • • Ensure all work surfaces and the laboratory are clean and equipment is in excellent working order,
      • At the beginning and throughout the day, prepare, sterilize, and maintain high-tech equipment such as microscopes, densitometers, gamma counters, spectrophotometers and many more.

• Typical Daily Tasks:

• • • • • Draw blood, collect tissue samples from patients,
        • Prepare required solutions for testing, perhaps for specific markers in the patient samples,
        • Analyze samples for abnormalities, disease, whether there is a match for a transfusion,
        • Ensure lab specimens are labelled correctly,
        • Ensure samples and patient information are logged accurately,
        • Arrange reports for physicians,
        • Communicate effectively and efficiently with your healthcare team about patient’s results,
        • Compassionately support and inform patients as they move through the procedures you’re involved in, ensuring they feel comforted.
        • Attend to the details, always. Your expertise is vital to the diagnosis and treatments doctors provide.

• Wrapping Up:

• • • A final wipe down of all equipment and surfaces,
    • Enter any remaining data,
    • Compile results into reports,
    • Communicate with pertinent healthcare professionals to ensure patient’s lab results have been received so they receive proper care.

There are many thrilling facets to the role of medical lab tech, but much to learn so that you can perform your responsibilities with accuracy and pride. We’ve compiled information about this incredible profession into a variety of blogs to offer you comprehensive insight into what you can expect and how to succeed.

Check out our most popular blogs, to fully prepare yourself as you explore training for lab technician or take your career to new levels.

• 5 Common Tests You’ll Execute with Ease After Medical Laboratory Training
• Tips to Survive and Thrive in a Medical Laboratory Technician Program
• 7 Clear Signs a Medical Lab Technician Career is an Ideal Fit for You
• Career Opportunities as a Medical Laboratory Assistant Technician
• Finding work as a Medical Laboratory Technician in Ontario

The moment is now for those looking to launch a healthcare career, either as a medical laboratory technician or perhaps even as a medical technologist.

If you’re still determining whether a career in this field is for you, take the “Anderson College Medical Professional Career Training Readiness Quiz”.

But if you’re keenly aware of the potential that exists here and you’re interested in exploring a career in Medical Lab Sciences, book a virtual appointment today and let’s get you started! Please note as well that if you’re seeking medical laboratory technologist programs, we’ve got leading-edge opportunities in that area as well.

Your future in healthcare awaits.

Quick Links to Fuel Your Success!

We want to make sure you have what you need to succeed! Check out these reference links:

• Anderson College – Medical Lab Sciences programs
• 7 Clear Signs a Medical Lab Technician Career is an Ideal Fit for You
• Career Opportunities as a Medical Laboratory Assistant Technician
• Finding work as a Medical Laboratory Technician in Ontario