What is a medical lab assistant?
Medical lab assistants or technicians are professionals who assist with diagnostic testing on blood and other tissue samples. Assistants work alongside clinical laboratory technologists who perform more complex tasks.DutiesMedical lab assistants are often responsible for preparing specimens for study, such as cutting or mounting tissue on slides for viewing under a microscope. Assistants also operate analyzers and other automated equipment that perform medical testing.TypesSome medical lab assistants specialize in a particular field, such as microbiology (identifying bacteria), cytotechnology (examining cells) or immunohematology (typing and analyzing blood).EducationMost employers prefer to hire medical lab assistants with a certificate or associate degree in laboratory technology or a scientific field such as biology. Infrequently, employers will hire applicants with only a high school diploma and provide on-the-job training.CompensationAs of May 2008, medical lab assistants averaged
