Medical laboratory technicians and technologists are vital to our laboratories, playing an important role in diagnosing pathological diseases and helping physicians plan treatment strategies for patients. They perform many complex procedures involving the various disciplines of hematology, microbiology, clinical chemistry, immunology, and immunohematology. With increasing automation and the use of computer technology, the work of technologists and technicians has become less hands-on and more analytical.

The Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists work with pathologists (physicians who diagnose the cause and nature of disease, oversees many lab operations and supervise Medical Laboratory Technicians as well as other personnel).

Clinical laboratory personnel:

• Examine and analyze body fluids, tissues, and cells
• Search for bacteria, parasites, and other microorganisms
• Analyze the chemical content of fluids
• Match blood for transfusions
• Test for blood drug levels to show how a patient is responding to treatment.
• Prepare specimens for examination, count cells, and look for abnormal cells
• Use automated equipment and instruments capable of performing a number of tests simultaneously, as well as microscopes, cell counters, and other sophisticated laboratory equipment
• Analyze test results and relay them to physicians.

Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians held about 313,000 jobs in 1998. About half worked in hospitals. Most of the remaining jobs are in medical laboratories or offices and clinics of physicians. About 1 laboratory worker in 5 worked part time.

Employment of clinical laboratory workers is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2008, as the volume of laboratory tests increases with population growth and the development of new types of tests.

Vacancy rates for laboratory positions are at an all time high, according to the Board of Registry of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP). A recent ASCP study showed that there is currently the highest vacancy rates reported per position in the past 12-year period. Regional data indicate shortages in excess of 20% to 40% depending on location, size, and type of facility.

Since the early 1980s the number of accredited educational programs for these positions has decreased significantly. In addition, the average age of individuals certified by the ASCP Board of Registry who are currently employed in a clinical laboratory is 45 to 49. As technology advances, the number of medical laboratory tests and the volume of tests are expected to increase, making it even more imperative to address the shortage of laboratory personnel. Many openings will also result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations, retire, or stop working for some other reason.

According to the 2000 Health Care Human Resources Demand Audit for the DFW hospitals, a vacancy rate of 7l.5% exists for MLTs. The Southwest region of the USA has a vacancy rate of 21.6%, which indicates a high demand for graduates of our Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) program.
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The Associate Degree level MLT (Medical Technician) can serve as a stepping stone to the BS degree for Medical Technologist, or for PAs, MDs, and other BS Allied Health Fields. Employment opportunities exist in the following arenas:

• Hospital and Research Laboratories
• Blood Centers
• Healthcare Industry Companies
• Histocompatibility Laboratories
• Biotechnology Companies
• Regulatory Agencies and Inspections
• Sales for Healthcare Industry.
• Clinics and Physician’s Offices

The Dallas-Fort Worth regional average beginning salary for medical lab technicians is $2,250 per month and higher. With further education and becoming a Medical Technologist, the Dallas-Fort Worth regional average is $2,865 per month.

Nationally, the median annual earnings of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians were $34,382 in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $27,000 and $44,000 a year. The highest 10 percent earned more than $55,000 a year. There is a wage and vacancy survey at the American Society of Clinical Pathologists Web site.
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