We surveyed 1,640 medical laboratory technologists to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical medical laboratory technologist. Here are the results.

How much intelligence is required as a medical laboratory technologist?

Low

High

Working as a medical laboratory technologist typically requires higher levels of intelligence when compared with the average career. This means that medical laboratory technologists are required to actively learn new things related to their discipline and solve complex problems.

Can I learn to become a medical laboratory technologist?

Intrinsic Talent

Acquired Talent

A career as a medical laboratory technologist typically depends predominantly on qualities you can gain through experience, with a small aspect of skills you are born with.

Is it easy to get a job as a medical laboratory technologist?

Easy

Hard

It’s typically difficult to find a job as a medical laboratory technologist. If you’re curious about the numbers, check out the job market for medical laboratory technologists.

Info

Do medical laboratory technologists work full-time or part-time?

91% of medical laboratory technologists work in full-time roles while 9% work part-time.

Is being a medical laboratory technologist stressful?

Low

High

Stress is not uncommon amongst medical laboratory technologists, with daily work sometimes being quite demanding.

Is being organized important as a medical laboratory technologist?

Low

High

Some level of organization is generally required to be a medical laboratory technologist.

How competitive is the workplace for medical laboratory technologists?

Low

High

Competition at work is not common for medical laboratory technologists.

Does being a medical laboratory technologist require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?

Low

High

Medical laboratory technologists will have to sometimes face time pressure on the job.

Are medical laboratory technologists allowed to express themselves creatively?

Low

High

Medical laboratory technologists rarely get a chance to express themselves creatively.

Do medical laboratory technologists have control over the direction of their work?

Low

High

Medical laboratory technologists tend to have a set and inflexible work schedule that they are unable to deviate from too much.

Is being a medical laboratory technologist physically demanding?

Low

High

Being a medical laboratory technologist may occasionally require demanding physical activity, which may make it not a suitable career choice for everyone.

Are medical laboratory technologists exposed to a wide variety of work?

Low

High

Medical laboratory technologists tend to have a monotonous work routine, with little variety in their day-to-day tasks.

Does being a medical laboratory technologist require attention to detail?

Low

High

Attention to detail is a vital skill for medical laboratory technologists, as small mistakes can make or break one's ability to succeed in the career.

Does being a good medical laboratory technologist require compassion and empathy?

Low

High

The ability to be compassion and empathetic isn't considered fundamental to success as a medical laboratory technologist.