Laboratory Technician
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
| Starting | $22.96 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $25.61 |
| Top | $28.23 |
Interest in compiling information derived from blood, tissue and other samples collected from patients; and in collecting and receiving tissue samples from patients
Interest in setting up medical laboratory equipment; and in cleaning and maintaining laboratory
Interest in assisting medical personnel to conduct laboratory tests and sample analyses
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Medical laboratory assistants work under the direction of various medical professionals. These include pathologists, medical lab technologists, and combined lab and x-ray technologists.
Duties vary but, in general, medical laboratory assistants:
They also may answer phone calls and keep records.
Medical laboratory assistants may work in areas such as:
Hours of work vary. Medical laboratory assistants may work full time, part time, or casual relief hours. In diagnostic labs they may rotate day, evening, and night shifts. This may include weekends and holidays. In research labs they often work standard weekday hours.
Medical laboratory assistants may spend a lot of time standing or sitting in a lab. They may have to perform repetitive tasks. They must follow safety precautions. These measures reduce the risk of exposure to infectious body fluids, dangerous chemicals, or hazardous radiation.
Medical laboratory assistants need to possess:
They should enjoy:
Employers prefer to hire high school graduates who have completed a related post-secondary program.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Certification is not required, as there is currently no legislation regulating this occupation.
Certification through the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science is voluntary. However, it can be an asset when looking for employment. Certification requires successful completion of an exam.
Medical laboratory assistants work in:
Experienced medical laboratory assistants may move into related jobs in:
Advancement opportunities depend on the assistant’s ability, experience, and education.
Medical laboratory assistants are classified in the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 3212: Medical laboratory technicians and Pathologists’ Assistants. In Alberta, 91% of people employed in this classification work in the Health Care and Social Assistance [pdf] industry.
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the D212: Medical Laboratory Technicians occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.4% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 129 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
For information about current collective agreements in the public and not-for-profit sectors, see the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $22.05 | $23.84 | $22.96 | $22.73 |
| Overall | $24.96 | $26.26 | $25.61 | $25.54 |
| Top | $27.23 | $28.69 | $28.23 | $28.34 |
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* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $46,878 |
|---|---|
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $46,853 |
Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) website: www.csmls.org
For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.
Updated Mar 31, 2018. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.