Overview
Outlook
Data
Training
Description
Medical laboratory technologists conduct medical laboratory tests, experiments and analyses to assist in the diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and prevention of disease. They are employed in medical laboratories in hospitals, blood banks, community and private clinics, research facilities and post-secondary educational institutions. Medical laboratory technologists who are supervisors are included in this unit group.
Job Titles
- Cytogenetics technologist – medical laboratory
- Histology technologist
- Medical laboratory cytotechnologist
- Medical laboratory technologist
- Medical laboratory technologist – anatomical pathology
- Medical laboratory technologists supervisor
- Medical technologist – medical laboratory
Main Duties
- Set up, operate and maintain laboratory equipment
- Conduct and interpret chemical analyses of blood, urine, and cerebrospinal and other body fluids
- Study blood cells and other tissues to determine their relation to various physiological and pathological conditions
- Prepare tissue sections for microscopic examinations using techniques to demonstrate special cellular tissue elements or other characteristics
- Perform and interpret blood group, type and compatibility tests for transfusion purposes
- Validate, document and report test results
- Establish procedures for the analysis of specimens and for medical laboratory experiments
- Conduct quality control assessment of testing techniques
- May supervise and train other medical laboratory technical staff, students and helpers
- May assist pathologists during autopsies.
Workplaces
- Blood banks
- Community clinics
- Hospitals
- Medical laboratories
- Post-secondary educational institutions
- Private clinics
- Research institutions
Skills
- Equipment and Tool Selection
- Operation and Control
- Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment
- Quality Control Testing
- Critical Thinking
Abilities
- Colour Perception
- Near Vision
- Pattern Identification
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Categorization Flexibility
Personal Attributes
- Attention to Detail
- Adaptability
- Analytical Thinking
- Collaboration
- Concern for Others
Similar Occupations
- Chemical technologists and technicians (22100)
- Biological technologists and technicians (22110)
- Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations (33101)
Source: OaSIS
Employment Outlook
The employment outlook will be Good for medical laboratory technologists (NOC 32120) in Prince Edward Island for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
- A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
- There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about Medical laboratory technologists in Prince Edward Island:
- Approximately 100 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
- Medical laboratory technologists mainly work in the following sectors:
- Hospitals (NAICS 622): 88%
- Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 12%
- The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
- Full-time workers: 89% compared to 84% for all occupations
- Part-time workers: 11% compared to 16% for all occupations
- 79% of medical laboratory technologists work all year, while 21% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 45 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.
- The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
- Men: 11% compared to 51% for all occupations
- Women: 89% compared to 49% for all occupations
- The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
- no high school diploma: n/a
- high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
- apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
- college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor’s: 56% compared to 25% for all occupations
- bachelor’s degree: 28% compared to 17% for all occupations
- university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 10% compared to 8% for all occupations
Source: Job Bank
Prevailing Wages
| AREA | LOW | MEDIAN | HIGH |
|---|---|---|---|
| PEI | $17.00 | $37.57 | $41.75 |
| Canada | $25.13 | $39.00 | $49.00 |
Training
There are no known training programs for this occupation in PEI. If you are aware of a local training program, please contact us.
More Info
View the full occupational profile with details on work characteristics, interests, employment requirements and more on the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS) website.
Related Jobs
There are currently no job listings for this occupation on WorkPEI.