How Much Does a Medical Laboratory Assistant Make?

If you’re thinking about a career in medical lab assistance, you might be wondering how much you can expect to earn. Here’s a look at the average salary for this profession, as well as some factors that can affect how much you make.

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Introduction

As a medical laboratory assistant (MLA), you’ll play a vital role in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. You’ll be responsible for carrying out routine tests on blood, tissues and other body fluids. Your work will play an important part in the early detection of serious illnesses, such as cancer and heart disease.

In order to become a MLA, you’ll need to complete an accredited training program. These programs typically last between one and two years. Once you’ve completed your training, you’ll be eligible to write the Canadian Medical laboratory assistants Certification Exam.

The average salary for a medical laboratory assistant in Canada is $35,000 per year. Salaries will vary depending on factors such as experience, location and employer.

What is a Medical Laboratory Assistant?

medical laboratory assistants (MLAs) perform a variety of laboratory tests to support the work of pathologists, medical scientists, and other health professionals. They collect and prepare samples for testing, operate and maintain laboratory equipment, and carry out routine laboratory tasks.

In some states and territories, MLAs may also be known as medical laboratory technicians or pathology collectors.

The Duties of a Medical Laboratory Assistant

Most medical laboratory assistants work in hospitals, physician’s offices, or diagnostic laboratories. They collect and prepare blood, tissue, and other body fluids for testing.

Most medical laboratory assistants have an associate’s degree in medical laboratory technology, although some have only a certificate. Some states regulate medical laboratory assistants.

The Education and Training Required to be a Medical Laboratory Assistant

Most medical laboratory assistant programs are about two years in length and will lead to an associate’s degree or certificate. The first year of the program is typically spent in the classroom, with coursework covering topics such as Medical Terminology human anatomy, and physiology. The second year is generally spent in a clinical setting, where students gain hands-on experience conducting various tests under the supervision of a licensed medical laboratory technologist or pathologist. Some programs also offer internship opportunities to give students even more real-world experience.

The Certification Required to be a Medical Laboratory Assistant

In order to be a medical laboratory assistant, you will need to obtain a certification. The certification process can vary depending on the state in which you wish to work, but generally, you will need to complete an accredited program and pass an exam. Some states also require that you have a certain amount of experience working in a medical laboratory before you can obtain your certification.

The Salary of a Medical Laboratory Assistant

Medical laboratory assistants, also known as medical laboratory technicians, perform routine tasks in a hospital or clinical laboratory. They may work under the supervision of a medical technologist or doctor. Salary ranges for medical laboratory assistants can vary greatly depending on experience, geographic location and employer.

The median annual salary for medical laboratory assistants was $37,240 in May 2015, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $25,550, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $56,940.

Salaries for medical laboratory assistants varied depending on geographic location in May 2015. The states with the highest employment levels for this occupation were California, Texas, Florida, New York and Pennsylvania. These states also had some of the highest salaries for medical laboratory assistants:

-California: $44,590
-Texas: $41,920
-Florida: $39,780
-New York: $38,610
-Pennsylvania: $37,070

The Job Outlook for a Medical Laboratory Assistant

Medical laboratory assistants are in high demand due to the increasing importance of medical lab testing. In order to become a medical laboratory assistant, you must have at least a high school diploma and some on-the-job training. The median salary for a medical laboratory assistant is $33,610 per year.

The Pros and Cons of Being a Medical Laboratory Assistant

Medical laboratory assistants (MLAs) are an important part of the healthcare team. They work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities, and their job is to help medical laboratory technologists (MLTs) with their work.

The Pros:

The main benefit of being an MLA is that you get to help save lives. MLAs play a vital role in the diagnosis and treatment of patients by performing routine laboratory tests. Without MLAs, many diagnoses would be delayed or even missed entirely.

Another advantage of being an MLA is that you can find work in many different settings. MLAs are needed in hospitals, clinics, blood banks, research laboratories, and more. This means that you can easily find a job that suits your lifestyle and preferences.

The Cons:

One downside of being an MLA is that the job can be repetitive and monotonous. You will be doing the same tests over and over again, which can get boring after a while.

Another downside of the job is that it can be stressful at times. You may have to work long hours or deal with difficult patients. You also need to be very accurate in your work, as any mistakes could have serious consequences for patients.

Is a Medical Laboratory Assistant a Good Career Choice for Me?

The median salary for a medical laboratory assistant is $33,750. The top 10% of earners make more than $48,000, and the bottom 10% earn less than $23,000. Most medical laboratory assistants work full time, although some may work part time. Many medical laboratory assistants work in hospitals, but some also work in private clinics or laboratories.

Conclusion

The average medical laboratory assistant in the United States makes $15.76 per hour, or $32,860 per year. Experienced workers can earn up to $22.13 per hour, or $46,080 per year. The most experienced and highly sought-after medical laboratory assistants may earn even more than this.