According to the US Dept of Labor:
First if you're talking about a Clinical Lab Tech:
**Clinical laboratory technologists usually have a bachelor’s degree with a major in medical technology or in one of the life sciences (like biology); clinical laboratory technicians generally need either an associate degree or a certificate.
*Job opportunities are expected to be excellent.
*Faster than average employment growth is expected as the volume of laboratory tests continues to increase with both population growth and the development of new types of tests.
*Employers like certs but they vary by state. Information on certification is available from:
American Society for Clinical Pathology, 2100 West Harrison St., Chicago, IL 60612. Internet:
http://www.ascp.org Otherwise, if you're talking about a Medical Lab Tech:
*Around 3 out of 5 salaried jobs were in medical equipment and supply manufacturing laboratories, which usually are small, privately owned businesses with fewer than 5 employees.
*Most medical, dental, and ophthalmic laboratory technicians learn their craft on the job; however, many employers prefer to hire those with formal training in a related field.
*Slower-than-average employment growth is expected for dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians, while *average* employment growth is expected for medical appliance technicians.
*Job opportunities should be favorable as employers have difficulty filling trainee positions.
Good Luck!