Defining the medical laboratory career terms: MLS, MLT, CLT, MT, lab tech, lab technician
History has not been kind in defining the many terms used to describe careers and job titles in medical laboratories. The 'hidden profession' of medical laboratory scientists have done themselves a disservice with their confusion about their jobs.
There are 3 types of roles in medical laboratories. They are support roles, associate degree laboratory professionals and bachelor degree laboratory professionals. In addition, those with graduate and doctoral degrees are almost always in clinical or business leadership roles in their laboratories
MLS, MLT, CLT, MT, lab tech, lab technician
Below is a list of the most common terms and acronyms used to describe medical laboratory professionals
Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS): This laboratory professional has a BS in medical laboratory science. Their education and degree qualify them for supervisory and other career opportunities in the laboratory
Medical Technologist (Med Tech, MT): This is an older reference to the MLS referenced above.
Clinical Laboratory Technologist (CLT): This is a synonymous reference to the MLS referenced above.
Medical Laboratory Technician: (MLT): This laboratory professional has an Associate of Science in medical laboratory technology. It is typically a 2-year program that includes an internship in a medical laboratory.
Lab Technician (Lab tech): This is a common (although inaccurate) name for medical laboratory professionals.
A key difference between a medical laboratory scientist (BS degree) and medical laboratory technologist is that medical laboratory scientist (BS degree) are able to run more complicated tests than MLT's can. MLS can supervise the work of other laboratory staff, but MLT's are usually unable to do so based on current regulations.
Common medical laboratory terms:
Bench - This is where the actual work is performed. It includes preparing specimens, analyzing specimens, conferring with physicians and nurses, and watching computer screens that are monitoring the tests results and the instruments that analyze them.
Internships - This refers to the period of time a medical laboratory scientists or medical laboratory technician works in a real laboratory setting to learn the skills and test procedures necessary for the profession.
Clinical v. Medical - These are synonyms. Both describe type of work a medical laboratory scientists or medical laboratory technician performs
Quality Assurance (also know as quality control) - This is a process used in medical laboratories to ensure that test results are accurate. Known quantities of a laboratory test ( for example cholesterol) are run and the results of that must fall within a given range. This ensures that a test is working properly using either automated and manual testing methods.
Certified: Most medical laboratory professionals sit for the board registry exams from the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP). Other laboratory professional organizations also provide certification tests for medical laboratory professionals.
Non-Reg: There are medical laboratory careers opportunities for those with a BS biology, chemistry, microbiology, and public health. Typically, they work in a large, metropolitan hospital laboratory and are trained in single disciplines. The professional certification from the ASCP (referenced above) is available after a designated training and work experience requirements are met.
