Medical laboratory technologists [NOC 3211] conduct a variety of medical laboratory tests to assist in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease.

As a medical laboratory technologist you perform the following duties:

• Conduct analyses of blood, urine and other body fluids
• Prepare tissue sections for microscopic examinations
• Conduct blood group, type and compatibility tests for transfusion purposes
• Set up, operate and maintain laboratory equipment
• Conduct quality control assessment of testing techniques

You may specialize in the following areas:

• clinical chemistry – chemically analysing blood and other body fluids
• clinical microbiology – culturing and identifying micro-organisms and determining antibiotic sensitivities
• hematology – studying blood cells
• histotechnology – preparing tissue specimens for microscopic examination
• transfusion medicine – taking and testing blood to determine its suitability for transfusions and preparing blood products
• cytotechnology – microscopically examining prepared cellular slides for evidence of abnormality or disease
• clinical genetics – analysing patient tissue to determine the presence of a pre-existing genetic condition.

Medical laboratory technicians [NOC 3212] conduct routine medical tests and set up, clean and maintain equipment.

As a medical laboratory technician you perform the following duties:

• Collect blood or other samples from patients
• Conduct routine laboratory tests and sample analyses
• Log patient samples and prepare them for testing
• Set up, clean and maintain medical laboratory equipment