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Medical Laboratory Technologists and Pathologists' Assistants  (NOC 3211)
Edmonton Region
Description |  Titles |  Duties |   Related Occupations

Medical laboratory technologists conduct medical laboratory tests, experiments and analyses to assist in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. They are employed in medical laboratories in hospitals, private clinics, research institutions and universities. Pathologists' assistants assist at autopsies and examinations of surgical specimens or perform autopsies under a pathologist's supervision. They are usually employed in hospitals. Medical laboratory technologists who are also supervisors are included in this unit group.

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Medical laboratory technologists perform some or all of the following duties:
  • Conduct chemical analyses of blood, urine, and cerebro-spinal and other body fluids
  • Study blood cells and other tissues to determine their relation to various physiological and pathological conditions
  • Prepare tissue sections for microscopic examinations using techniques to demonstrate special cellular tissue elements or other characteristics
  • Establish procedures for the analysis of specimens and for medical laboratory experiments
  • Perform blood group, type and compatibility tests for transfusion purposes
  • May supervise and train other medical laboratory technical staff, students and helpers
  • May perform the duties of a pathologist's assistant in some hospitals.

Medical laboratory technologists may specialize in areas such as clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, hematology, histotechnology, immunohematology and cytotechnology.

Pathologists' assistants perform some or all of the following duties:
  • Prepare for autopsies by obtaining patients' medical records and arranging for radiographic examinations
  • Assist with or perform autopsies and surgical specimen examinations under pathologists' supervision
  • Dissect, examine, weigh and photograph organs and specimens, collect tissue specimens for chemical analysis and record findings
  • May prepare bodies for release to funeral homes following completion of autopsies
  • May train junior resident pathologists and train and supervise morgue attendants
  • May perform the duties of a medical laboratory technologist in some hospitals.
Included Cities in Region | Service Canada Offices

Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, Leduc, Spruce Grove, St. Albert, Wetaskiwin, Beaumont, Bon Accord, Calmar, Devon, Drayton Valley, Duffield, Gibbons, Millet, Morinville, Redwater, Stony Plain, Cardiff, Rosenthal Estates

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View a list of Service Canada offices in this area.

Outlook & Prospects for Medical Laboratory Technologists and Pathologists' Assistants in Edmonton Region

The future forecast and current conditions for an occupation can vary based on location or due to changes in the economy, technology, or demand for a product or service.

Local Employment Potential Information

Table on the employment potential for Medical Laboratory Technologists and Pathologists' Assistants in Edmonton Region as well as in the rest of the Alberta.
Location Employment Potential Release Date
Edmonton Region Fair 2009-07-31

The employment potential is fair for medical laboratory technologists and pathologists' assistants in Alberta.

Many medical laboratory technologists are expected to retire during the next five to ten years.

The occupation is termed "significant" due to the relatively high concentration of people working in this occupation within this geographic area.

[ Source: Labour Market Information - HRSDC ]
Please consult the Alberta and Canada tabs for more useful information related to outlook.