Become a Medical Laboratory Technician
Perform diagnostic testing that helps doctors identify and treat disease.
What Is Medical Laboratory?
Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLTs) play a critical role in healthcare by running tests that support diagnosis and treatment decisions. Students learn hematology, microbiology, chemistry, immunology, and specimen processing.
This program is ideal for detail-oriented individuals interested in science and healthcare.
What You'll Learn in Medical Laboratory Training
Core Skills
- Hematology
- Microbiology
- Urinalysis
- Clinical chemistry
- Immunology
- Laboratory safety
- Equipment operation
- Quality control
Safety & Compliance
- Patient safety
- Infection prevention
- Privacy and HIPAA awareness
- Professional ethics
- Basic emergency response
Tools & Technology
- MLT (Medical Laboratory Technician)
- ASCP Certification
Admissions Requirements for Medical Laboratory Training
Most Medical Laboratory programs have accessible entry requirements designed to help motivated students start their career.
Requirements vary by program and training provider. Career-Bond partners will confirm specific requirements during enrollment.
Certifications for Medical Laboratory
This program prepares you for nationally recognized certifications that employers value.
MLT (Medical Laboratory Technician)
ASCP (American Society for Clinical Pathology)
Exam Focus: Core competencies; Safety; Professional practice
ASCP Certification
Exam Focus: Core competencies; Safety; Professional practice
Certification requirements vary by state and employer. Career-Bond partners will help you understand the requirements in your area.
Medical Laboratory Salary & Job Outlook
Growing demand driven by the ongoing need for diagnostic testing, disease detection, and laboratory analysis across hospitals, clinics, and research settings
Career Outlook for Medical Laboratory
Work Settings
Hospitals, diagnostic centers, private labs, research institutions, public health labs
Advancement Path
Advance to related certifications; specialize in a care setting; progress to supervisory roles with experience and additional training.
What Is the Difference Between Medical Laboratory and Medical Billing & Coding?
TL;DR: Medical Laboratory focuses on hands-on clinical diagnostics, while Medical Billing & Coding centers on documentation, coding, and reimbursement behind the scenes.
Medical Laboratory programs prepare students for direct patient-support roles in clinical laboratories, where they collect, analyze, and process blood, tissue, and other specimens that inform diagnosis and treatment decisions. This work is science- and procedure-driven and takes place in hospitals, labs, and diagnostic centers. Medical Billing & Coding programs, by contrast, focus on translating clinical services into standardized codes, submitting insurance claims, resolving denials, and ensuring accurate reimbursement while maintaining regulatory compliance. Choose Medical Laboratory if you want hands-on clinical and scientific work; choose Medical Billing & Coding if you prefer administrative, analytical roles that support healthcare operations and revenue.
Hands-on clinical testing and analysis to support diagnosis and treatment
Documentation, coding, and reimbursement processes supporting healthcare revenue
Certificate to associate-level programs focused on laboratory science
Certificate to associate-level programs focused on revenue cycle operations
Specimen collection, laboratory analysis, quality control, diagnostic procedures
Medical coding, claims submission, reimbursement follow-up, compliance
Medical laboratory or clinical laboratory technician credentials depending on program
Medical billing and coding certifications depending on program
Hospitals, clinical laboratories, diagnostic centers
Billing departments, medical offices, revenue cycle or remote coding teams
Limited but direct interaction during specimen collection
No direct patient interaction; works with documentation and payers
Laboratory analyzers, microscopes, lab information systems
Coding software, billing systems, claims management platforms
Medical laboratory technician, senior lab technologist, specialty lab roles
Billing specialist, coding specialist, revenue cycle analyst roles
Students who want hands-on scientific and clinical diagnostic work
Students who prefer administrative and analytical roles supporting healthcare operations
Medical Laboratory
Choose Medical Laboratory if you want hands-on clinical and scientific work.
Medical Billing & Coding
Choose Medical Billing & Coding if you prefer administrative, analytical roles that support healthcare operations and revenue.
Benefits of Medical Laboratory Training
Medical Laboratory Student Reviews
"I love helping diagnose illnesses behind the scenes."
"The hands-on training prepared me immediately for lab work."
"I feel like a vital part of the care team every day."
Medical Laboratory FAQs
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Find Medical Laboratory programs that match your goals.