Medical laboratory assistant
Also known as: biomedical laboratory assistant, assistant clinical researcher, assistant in medical laboratory, medical lab assistant, medical laboratory research assistant, clinical research assistant
About this occupation
Medical laboratory assistants work under supervision of the biomedical scientist and carry out basic laboratory procedures. They work in the pre-analytical handling of samples such as checking the details of specimens received for analysis, maintaining analysers, loading reagents, and packaging specimens. They also perform clerical tasks such as monitoring the stock levels of reagents used in analysis.
Essential skills and knowledge
- perform sample testing
- maintain medical laboratory equipment
- prepare samples for testing
- calibrate laboratory equipment
- automated analysers in the medical laboratory
- blood type classification
- use chemical analysis equipment
- perform laboratory tests
- apply safety procedures in laboratory
- send biological samples to laboratory
- techniques of blood-sampling
- label blood samples
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists (O*NET 29-2011.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Analyze samples of biological material for chemical content or reaction.
- Analyze laboratory findings to check the accuracy of the results.
- Conduct chemical analysis of body fluids, including blood, urine, or spinal fluid, to determine presence of normal or abnormal components.
- Enter data from analysis of medical tests or clinical results into computer for storage.
- Collect and study blood samples to determine the number of cells, their morphology, or their blood group, blood type, or compatibility for transfusion purposes, using microscopic techniques.
- Set up, clean, and maintain laboratory equipment.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Investigative, Realistic, Conventional
Top skills: Science, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Quality Control Analysis, Operations Monitoring
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryVery important (4.2)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (4.1)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.0)
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyVery important (3.9)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.9)
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalVery important (3.6)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
- Histotechnologists
- Cytogenetic Technologists
- Histology Technicians
- Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
- Nuclear Medicine Technologists
- Cytotechnologists
- Neurodiagnostic Technologists
- Phlebotomists
- Biological Technicians
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.