Before deciding upon becoming a medical laboratory technician, you must realize what the job encompasses. This position is supervised by a doctor or a medical technologist and is responsible for helping to diagnose a patient by testing the patient’s tissue, blood and other fluids. Most medical laboratory technicians begin their careers working in a laboratory, acute care clinic or community hospital. After some on the job time, they may also work in hospitals, private laboratories, public health organizations or delve into research.

with a high school diploma or equivalency, your next step is to enroll in laboratory technician training classes. You can expect to spend between 1 and 2 years to earn your associate degree or certificate. It is important to search for medical laboratory technician training that has been accredited. You can expect to learn about chemistry, microbiology, pathology and immunology both in the classroom and in the field when you go through your course. Once you complete laboratory technician school and begin working in the field, certification is highly recommended because many employers may require it. You may choose to take a national certification exam. In order to be a Certified Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT), some certification exam options are sponsored by The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or the American Medical Technologist (AMT).