Medical Laboratory Technician Job Description for Recruiters

To hire the best talent, it is essential to craft a compelling and precise job description that reflects both the responsibilities and the skill requirements of a medical laboratory technician. By providing clarity on the expectations and duties, recruiters can successfully appeal to qualified candidates who can uphold and enhance the standards of healthcare teams. In this article, we will outline the key components that make up an effective medical laboratory technician job description, empowering recruiters to make informed hiring decisions.

What Is a Medical Laboratory Technician?

A medical laboratory technician is a healthcare professional who conducts laboratory tests on bodily fluids and tissue samples under the supervision of lab technologists or managers. They are essential in diagnosing diseases, monitoring health, and assisting in treatment planning by preparing samples, operating lab equipment, and ensuring precise results. An associate degree in medical laboratory technology, along with knowledge of biology and chemistry, is needed for this role, which provides critical data for patient care.

Where to Find Them?

• Collaborate with universities or technical colleges that offer medical laboratory science, clinical laboratory technology, or biomedical science degrees or diploma programs
• Advertise through professional bodies (e.g., ASCP, AMT, national or regional clinical laboratory associations)
• Use niche or healthcare-specific boards (e.g., LabJobs, Health eCareers, Clinical Labs job listings)
• Use LinkedIn recruiter tools to seek profiles with “medical laboratory technician” skills or credentials
• Engage agencies that specialize in placing lab professionals or “travel medical laboratory technician” contracts
• Use Facebook groups, Reddit, or specialty forums (e.g., medlab professionals) to reach passive candidates
• Place ads in clinical laboratory or pathology journals
• Sponsor or attend industry conferences and exhibitions to network

Medical Laboratory Technician Job Description Template

We are seeking a skilled and highly motivated medical laboratory technician to join our team. The successful candidate will be responsible for performing various laboratory tests and procedures, analyzing results, and ensuring accurate reporting. The ideal candidate will have excellent attention to detail, strong communication skills, and an aptitude for working with precision.

Medical Laboratory Technician Responsibilities

• Collect and prepare samples for laboratory analysis, including blood, urine, and other body fluids.
• Conduct laboratory tests and procedures, such as microscopy, culture and sensitivity, and biochemical and hematological analysis, to detect abnormalities or diseases.
• Perform quality control checks to ensure the accuracy and precision of test results.
• Analyze test results, identify and interpret abnormalities, and report findings to physicians or other medical professionals.
• Calibrate, operate, and maintain laboratory equipment and machines to ensure effective performance.
• Adhere to safety standards and regulations, ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal laws.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records and documentation, including test results, patient information, and equipment maintenance logs.
• Communicate effectively with patients, physicians, and other medical professionals to ensure proper testing procedures and accurate reporting.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Associate degree or certification from an accredited Medical Laboratory Technician program
• State licensure or certification as a Medical Laboratory Technician
• Strong knowledge of laboratory procedures, equipment, and techniques, including microscopy, culture and sensitivity, and biochemical and hematological analysis
• Excellent attention to detail, with the ability to detect and interpret abnormalities or anomalies
• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, to communicate with patients, physicians, and other medical professionals
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage time effectively
• Proficient in the use of laboratory equipment and machines, with the ability to conduct maintenance and repairs as necessary
• Ability to maintain accurate and thorough laboratory records and documentation
• Must adhere to all safety standards and regulations, maintaining compliance with local, state, and federal laws

Challenges in Hiring a Medical Laboratory Technician

• The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts ~22,600 openings per year for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians, largely due to replacement needs and retirements.
• Aging Workforce & Retirement Wave: A large portion of medical laboratory technicians are approaching retirement; replacing them is a challenge. Vacancy rates in many labs have ranged from 4% to as high as 13% in certain specialty areas.
• Insufficient Training Pipeline: Some academic and certification programs have limited capacity and cannot expand quickly to meet increased demand
• Retention & Burnout: The laboratory environment may lead to burnout or staff turnover, especially under high workload, 24/7 operations, or staffing gaps.
• Hiring must consider candidates who can comply with regulatory, accreditation, and laboratory quality standards (e.g., CAP, ISO, local health authorities)
• Specialized lab areas (molecular diagnostics, microbiology, molecular genetics) require more advanced skills and are harder to staff

How Much Does It Cost to Hire?

• The average salary for a medical laboratory technician is $24.29/hour (2025). ~$50,000–$60,000/year depending on region & experience.
• Benefits & Payroll Overheads such as health insurance, retirement, payroll tax, vacation, etc., around 20%–35% of base salary (varies by region)
• Job board fees, agency fees, advertising costs $300–$2,000+ per hire (or ~15–25% of first-year salary if using agencies)
• Onboarding & Training: Weeks to months of lower productivity; cost may be $2,000–$10,000 depending on complexity

Conclusion

Hiring a medical laboratory technician is more than filling a vacancy: it’s about securing a skilled professional who ensures lab accuracy, supports clinicians, and helps maintain the quality and reliability of diagnostic services. Using a well-defined job description (as in the template above), understanding true hiring costs, and being data-informed (with statistics and benchmarking) will help you make better hiring decisions and attract higher-quality candidates in this critical field.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a medical laboratory technician's job description?

A: A medical laboratory technician job description is a document that outlines roles, responsibilities, qualifications, work environment, and performance metrics for a medical laboratory technician position. It guides both recruiters in hiring and candidates in evaluating fit.

Q: What qualifications should a medical laboratory technician job description require?

A: Typically, the job description should require relevant education (associate or bachelor’s), certification/licensure (e.g., ASCP MLT or equivalent), experience in clinical lab settings, and skills in instrumentation, data analysis, QC/QA, and safety compliance.

Q: How can recruiters write a compelling medical laboratory technician job description?

A: To attract top candidates, a job description should be clear, highlight growth opportunities, specify responsibilities and metrics, mention certifications and tools used, and include benefits or perks.

Q: Can I reuse a standard medical laboratory technician job description for different lab specialties?

A: You can use a generic template, but it’s best to customize for specialty areas (e.g., microbiology, molecular diagnostics) by adding required skills, equipment, and unique responsibilities.

Q: How often should a medical laboratory technician's job description be updated?

A: It’s good practice to review and update annually or whenever lab technologies, accreditation standards, or workflows change. This ensures job descriptions remain current and attractive.