Medical Laboratory Assistant

Medical laboratory assistants work under the supervision of pathologists, medical laboratory technologists or combined laboratory and x-ray technologists.

Duties vary from one position to another but, in general, medical laboratory assistants:

• label and sort tissue samples and specimens
• load and operate laboratory testing equipment 
• collect blood samples and body fluids from patients for laboratory testing
• prepare slides of blood and other fluids for examination under a microscope
• perform simple tests on body fluids and stool
• make chemical solutions and stocks of culture media
• plant specimens to culture bacteria
• use computers to input and analyse data
• dispose of hazardous waste
• sterilize equipment
• maintain stock levels of laboratory supplies.

They also may perform administrative tasks such as answering telephone calls and keeping records.

Medical laboratory assistants may specialize in working with scientists, medical laboratory technologists or medical professionals in areas such as:

• biochemistry (studying chemical reactions in the body)
• cytology (studying the structure and function of cells)
• hematology (analysing diseases of the blood and blood forming tissues)
• histopathology (examining the structure of diseased tissue)
• immunology (examining how the immune system works)
• microbiology (studying bacteria and viruses).

Hours of work vary in this occupation. Medical laboratory assistants may work full time, part time or casual relief hours. In research laboratories, they often work standard weekday hours. In diagnostic clinical laboratories, they may work rotating day, evening and night shifts (including weekends and holidays).

Medical laboratory assistants work in laboratory environments where they may spend a considerable amount of time standing or sitting, performing tasks that may be repetitive. They must observe safety precautions to reduce the risk of exposure to infectious body fluids, dangerous chemicals or hazardous radiation.

Medical laboratory assistants need the following characteristics:

• the ability to follow instructions, pay close attention to detail and take precise readings
• the ability to work quickly and accurately
• good finger and manual dexterity to handle specimens and small laboratory equipment
• normal colour vision
• good communication and problem solving skills
• good organizational skills
• the interpersonal skills required to work well with co-workers and the public.

They should enjoy:

• taking a methodical approach to their work
• setting up and maintaining laboratory equipment
• helping people and assisting medical personnel.

Above-average occupational growth is expected in Alberta for 2016 to 2020. Job openings are a result of employment turnover and newly created positions.

Medical laboratory assistants are employed in:

• private diagnostic testing laboratories
• hospitals
• physician's offices and clinics
• public and private research institutes. 

Experienced medical laboratory assistants may move into related jobs in industrial process or manufacturing company laboratories, pharmaceutical company laboratories, veterinary laboratories or government science laboratories). 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 in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

Over 3,800 Albertans are employed in the Medical laboratory technicians occupational group. This group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.4% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 129 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As medical laboratory assistants form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for medical laboratory assistants.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) website: www.csmls.org

For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.