6 Surprising Facts About Working in a Lab

1. Working in a lab requires certification in many states

You’re not going to be a doctor, so you might think you’ll get a healthcare job without all that extra training. While it’s true that you won’t need to spend years in medical school, you’ll still have to pass some tests to begin your career working in a lab.

 

2. Doctors rely on your analysis for diagnoses

Contrary to popular opinion, doctors aren’t the ones with all of the answers. In fact, more than 70 percent of physician’s decisions are based on laboratory results

3. Practically any body fluid or tissue gets processed in a medical lab

The results are virtually endless since all types of human samples come through a lab. “Medical lab technicians analyze almost everything in the human body

4. Working in a lab means every day is a surprise

Any healthcare job is a little unpredictable. Just like a nurse never knows who’s going to come through the doors of the emergency room, you truly never know what kind of specimen will come through your lab window.

5. Laboratory support is in demand

MLTs hold one of the most in-demand positions in the healthcare industry. MLT jobs are projected to grow 13 percent through 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is nearly double the national average of 7 percent for all occupations.

 

6. Working in a lab is less stressful but still very hands-on

There’s no doubt that some healthcare jobs, particularly in direct patient care positions, are stressful—considering the matter of life or death and making split-second decisions. Fortunately, MLTs don’t have to endure intense work environments like their patient-facing counterparts.