Skip to the main content
This website uses cookies to give you a better online experience. By using this website or closing this message, you are agreeing to our cookie policy. More information
Alberta Supports Contact Centre

Toll Free 1-877-644-9992

Medical Laboratory Assistant

Medical laboratory assistants perform various clerical and preparatory tasks to aid in generating patient test results.

They perform electrocardiograms and urinalysis testing, process and prepare patient samples, and complete some point-of-care testing procedures.

Medical laboratory assistants provide quality patient care and are integral frontline health-care providers.

Also Known As

Medical Laboratory Technician

NOC Codes

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.

2006 NOC

  • 3212: Medical Laboratory Technicians

2006 NOC-S

  • D212: Medical Laboratory Technicians

2011 NOC

  • 3212: Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists' assistants

2016 NOC

  • 3212: Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists' assistants

2021 NOC

  • 33101: Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations

2023 OaSIS

  • 33101.00: Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2024

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:

  • Perform electrocardiograms (ECGs)
  • Label and sort tissue samples and specimens
  • Load and operate lab testing equipment
  • Operate and maintain instruments and equipment
  • Prepare specimens for transport
  • Collect blood samples and handle body fluids from patients for lab testing
  • Prepare slides of blood and other fluids for study under a microscope
  • Perform simple tests on blood or body fluids following established procedures under direction of a supervisor
  • Make chemical solutions and culture media
  • Plant specimens to grow and identify types of bacteria
  • Collaborate with other lab professionals
  • Use computers to input data and patient information into laboratory information systems (LIS)
  • Follow quality control and biosafety standards
  • Dispose of hazardous waste according to proper safety rules
  • Clean and sterilize lab utensils and related equipment
  • Maintain inventory and replenish stock levels of lab supplies
  • Answer phones, maintain records, and report patient results
  • Participate in training staff and students

Medical laboratory assistants may work in areas such as:

  • Biochemistry (studying chemical reactions in the body)
  • Cytology (studying the structure and function of cells)
  • Hematology (analyzing 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)
  • Transfusion science (study of blood and blood products)
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

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. Research labs, insurance companies, and mobile clinics often expect standard weekday work hours.

Medical laboratory assistants may spend a lot of time standing or sitting in a lab. They may need to lift heavy objects. They may have to perform repetitive tasks. To avoid injury, they must use ergonomically correct practices. They must follow safety precautions to reduce risk of exposure to infectious body fluids, dangerous chemicals, other biohazards, or hazardous radiation.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Medical Laboratory Technicians

2006 NOC: 3212

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
METHODICAL

Interest in compiling information derived from blood, tissue and other samples collected from patients; and in collecting and receiving tissue samples from patients

OBJECTIVE

Interest in setting up medical laboratory equipment; and in cleaning and maintaining laboratory

innovative

Interest in assisting medical personnel to conduct laboratory tests and sample analyses

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

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 for this NOC group 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.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Medical laboratory assistants need:

  • Critical-thinking skills
  • The ability to follow both verbal and written instructions
  • Attention to detail
  • The ability to work quickly, carefully, and precisely
  • Fine motor skills (to handle specimens and small lab equipment)
  • Communication skills (listening, speaking, and writing)
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Organizational skills
  • The ability to work well with others
  • A basic grasp of biology and medical terms
  • A thorough knowledge of lab safety procedures
  • Basic computer, typing (at least 30 words per minute), and technology-use skills
  • Record-keeping skills
  • Basic math skills
  • The ability to operate and maintain lab equipment
  • Adaptability
  • The ability to work well under stress and pressure, while maintaining a professional demeanour
  • The ability to emotionally self-regulate

They should enjoy:

  • Taking a step-by-step approach to their work
  • Setting up and maintaining equipment
  • Working in an inclusive and diverse environment
  • Working independently and alongside a team of health care professionals
  • Helping people and assisting other health-care professionals

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists' assistants

2016 NOC: 3212

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 16 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Dec 15, 2021 and Sep 09, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Clean and maintain medical laboratory and laboratory equipment
Attention to detail
Tasks: Set up medical laboratory equipment
Hand-eye co-ordination
Tasks: Conduct quality control assessment of testing techniques
Tasks: Conduct routine laboratory tests and sample analyses
Tasks: Discard specimens according to established safety procedures
Biology
Tasks: Collect tissue specimens for chemical analysis and record findings
Reliability
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Minimum Education High school diploma

Employers prefer to hire high school graduates who have completed a related post-secondary program.

Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

ABES (Alberta Business and Educational Services) - Calgary
Lethbridge Polytechnic
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
Thompson Rivers University

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Certification Not Regulated

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 is preferred by employers, so can be an asset when looking for employment. Certification requires successful completion of an exam.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Medical laboratory assistants provide customer service to patients and clients in:

  • Diagnostic testing labs
  • Hospitals
  • Doctor’s offices
  • Insurance agencies
  • Research facilities
  • Public and private clinics (such as fertility)

Experienced medical laboratory assistants may move into related jobs in:

  • Industrial process or manufacturing company labs
  • Pharmaceutical company labs where research is performed
  • Government science labs

Advancement opportunities depend on the assistant’s ability, experience, and education. Many medical laboratory assistants further their education or move into allied health-related fields.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists' assistants
2016 NOC: 3212

94.5% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
2021 NOC: 33101
High
Demand
5,300
Employed

Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists' assistants
2016 NOC: 3212
1.8%
Annual Growth
(Below Average)
60
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

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

Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2024

For information about current collective agreements in the public and not-for-profit sectors, see the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists' assistants

2016 NOC: 3212
Average Wage
$35.45
Per Hour
Average Salary
$52,854.00
Per Year
Average Hours
28.6
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 3212 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

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.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

C: Lower Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

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.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $22.73 $38.62 $25.44 $22.82
Overall $25.54 $49.14 $35.45 $35.17
Top $27.50 $50.53 $45.86 $50.53

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* 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.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Health Care & Social Assistance
Public Administration

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
N/A
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
N/A
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
N/A
Vacancy Rate
N/A
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Health Care and Medical Sciences
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2024

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

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2024. 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.

Was this page useful?