Medical Lab Technician Schools and Degrees
Medical Laboratory Technician is the guide to Medical Laboratory Technician Schools, Training Programs, Salary and Career Information. We attempt to maintain the only comprehensive list of accredited medical laboratory technician schools online, and we update this list regularly, so email us if you represent a school and would like to see your school added or altered.
What types of medical laboratory technician degrees / programs exist and what are they called?
There are several different names in which the same medical laboratory technician program can be referred to, depending on the college or online program. Keep in mind all of these names are for essentially the same program that may vary in terms of electives or credits, but will provide the same principle training for gaining a career as a medical lab technician. These programs may be referred to as the names below and all lead to an associate’s degree that can be obtained in 2 years.
- Medical Laboratory Technician Program – MLT Program
- Laboratory Technician Program
- Medical Lab Assistant Program – MLA Program
The position of a medical laboratory technician is often confused with that of a medical technologist. While the two positions often work side-by-side, technologists require a 4 year degree and have spent more time in the classroom, giving them more responsibility and more complex analysis of lab work.
Medical laboratory technicians confirm that samples are received, thoroughly checked, make sure patient and samples match up, and further duties regarding samples in the lab. They also often provide a pre-analysis, giving the medical technologist a brief background of the issue they are dealing with.
Medical laboratory technician school rankings:
Rankings when it comes to associate programs are arbitrary and mean little once you have your diploma in a designated program. What is most crucial is to rank the schools you’re are looking at attending according to your own system to ensure success. You want a program that offers some networking or hands-on experience that will help you land a job as you approach the end of the program.
Can I Transfer medical laboratory technician school credits?
Like with most medical program credits, most schools do not accept transfer credits from other institutions or programs. Becoming a medical laboratory technician requires specific courses tailored by a school or program’s curriculum. Basic credits may transfer, depending on the school. These are core subjects outside of the science courses taken to obtain your associate’s degree to become a medical lab technician.
Most schools are accredited through a regional program and will only allow core class transfers from other schools accredited by that same organization. It is the same for schools that are nationally accredited.
When beginning your journey to become a medical lab technician, it is smart to check out a handful of online schools to see if any will grant you credit for courses taken at community college or university. If you have a few credits working in your favor, it can allow you to begin your courses to become a MLT sooner and allow you to get your associate’s degree in less time.
What sorts of careers are common for students with this degree?
MLT – At the end of this program, a medical laboratory technician is likely the career path one will take. This will be the same job across the board, but can be performed at various places such as university and college research labs, as well as hospitals and clinics.
What are the average salaries of a person with a medical laboratory technician degree?
About 10% of medical laboratory technicians make slightly over $50,000 per year. These jobs are usually in large universities or hospitals in large metropolitan cities with a relatively high cost of living. The average salary of medical laboratory technicians is just under $33,000 per year. The lower paying jobs for medical laboratory technicians is usually in clinics or in a private doctor’s office.
Hiring has slowed down in recent years due to the economy, but overall medical laboratory technicians are high in demand, especially in medium to large cities in the U.S. and Canada. Over half of the labs in the U.S. are hiring, making it a field that is worth pursuing for steady work and income.
A medical laboratory technician may find after a few years on the job, they are interested in pursuing the remainder of their bachelor’s degree to become a medical technologist which has high earning power and is also in demand.
Medical laboratory technician scholarships and Medical lab tech grants
Some medical lab technician schools may offer their own scholarships or grants for students pursing an associates degree to become a medical laboratory technician. Check with your advisor about any school scholarships or grants that you may be eligible for.
Pell Grant – This is a grant from the U.S. government given to low income students pursuing a post-secondary education. Because it falls under grant, it will never have to be repaid.
There are several requirements to qualifying for the Pell Grant and you can learn more about the grant here. Not all schools accept the Pell Grant, so be sure your institution of choice does before applying.
American Medical Technologists Scholarships – This organization awards various scholarships to students who excel in studying medicine. All students must be in need and have to fill out an application accompanied by financial information.
These scholarships are not huge (all are $500 or less), but can take the load off of a student by paying for books or lab fees. Find out more about the scholarships and download forms here .