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Job outlook for medical laboratory assistants in the United States
Medical laboratory assistant job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected medical laboratory assistant job growth rate is 16% from 2018-2028.
About 117,800 new jobs for medical laboratory assistants are projected over the next decade.
Medical laboratory assistant salaries have increased 14% for medical laboratory assistants in the last 5 years.
There are over 602,788 medical laboratory assistants currently employed in the United States.
There are 124,322 active medical laboratory assistant job openings in the US.
The average medical laboratory assistant salary is $34,673.
Are medical laboratory assistant jobs in demand?
Medical laboratory assistant job and salary trends over time
Medical laboratory assistant jobs over time
Medical laboratory assistant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 602,788 | 0.18% |
| 2020 | 588,799 | 0.18% |
| 2019 | 590,602 | 0.18% |
| 2018 | 558,937 | 0.17% |
| 2017 | 536,774 | 0.16% |
Average medical laboratory assistant salary over time
Medical laboratory assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $34,673 | $16.67 | +3.0% |
| 2025 | $33,658 | $16.18 | +3.5% |
| 2024 | $32,507 | $15.63 | +3.5% |
| 2023 | $31,414 | $15.10 | +3.0% |
| 2022 | $30,505 | $14.67 | +3.1% |
Medical laboratory assistant jobs by state
Most common states for medical laboratory assistants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 459 | 34% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 196 | 31% |
| 3 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 218 | 29% |
| 4 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 196 | 28% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,853 | 27% |
| 6 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,664 | 27% |
| 7 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,941 | 26% |
| 8 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 354 | 26% |
| 9 | Alaska | 739,795 | 186 | 25% |
| 10 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 210 | 24% |
| 11 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 137 | 24% |
| 12 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 692 | 22% |
| 13 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 423 | 22% |
| 14 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,195 | 21% |
| 15 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 738 | 21% |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 2,507 | 20% |
| 17 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 372 | 20% |
| 18 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,343 | 19% |
| 19 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 1,260 | 19% |
| 20 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,074 | 19% |
Most common cities for medical laboratory assistants
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bangor | 9 | 28% | $37,221 |
| 2 | Dunedin | 3 | 8% | $26,891 |
| 3 | Bradenton | 4 | 7% | $26,941 |
| 4 | Burnsville | 4 | 7% | $37,512 |
| 5 | Sioux Falls | 6 | 3% | $31,423 |
| 6 | Clearwater | 4 | 3% | $26,903 |
| 7 | Evansville | 4 | 3% | $27,363 |
| 8 | Blaine | 2 | 3% | $37,728 |
| 9 | Fort Myers | 2 | 3% | $26,943 |
| 10 | Fargo | 3 | 2% | $35,149 |
| 11 | Minneapolis | 4 | 1% | $37,627 |
| 12 | Houston | 4 | 0% | $34,346 |
| 13 | Los Angeles | 4 | 0% | $37,940 |
| 14 | New York | 3 | 0% | $36,102 |
| 15 | San Diego | 3 | 0% | $37,734 |
Medical Laboratory Assistant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of medical laboratory assistant experts
Northern Michigan University
University of South Florida
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
Weber State University
Midstate College
Pennsylvania State University - Hazleton
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Medical University of South Carolina
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud State University
Wenatchee Valley College
University of Montana
Agnes Scott College
Old Dominion University
The University of Akron
Siena College
Rutgers University - New Brunswick
What general advice would you give to a Medical Laboratory Assistant?
Katherine Nelson MBA, MLS (ASCP): Skills that I foresee as becoming important in the 3-5 years include the ability to work with a variety of technology, strong communication skills between other laboratory and healthcare professionals and the ability adapt to change quickly.
What will help Medical Laboratory Assistants increase their earning potential?
Katherine Nelson MBA, MLS (ASCP): My advice to a graduate beginning their career in the Medical Laboratory Science field, would be to take every opportunity to learn something new. Say yes to as much as possible and use every opportunity to amass a variety of different laboratory skills and experiences.
What general advice would you give to a Medical Laboratory Assistant?
Candace Keck: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of medical assistants is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations. This positive job outlook ensures future job opportunities and career stability.
What Medical Laboratory Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Candace Keck: Depending on the area where the medical assistant works, such as clinic vs hospital vs care facilities, the day-to-day duties can vary. The commonality, no matter the location, is they work closely with providers (physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and nurses, to name a few) and other healthcare professionals to deliver patient care. It can involve direct patient care and administrative work. They need to have strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a compassionate approach to patient care.
What will help Medical Laboratory Assistants increase their earning potential?
Candace Keck: I don't have an answer to this question. I'm not scheduled to work in the hospital any time soon so would not have the opportunity to ask.
Martin Renaldi MT (ASCP), MPA
Assistant Professor / MLS Program DirectorNorthern Michigan University
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, And Treatment Professions
What Medical Laboratory Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Martin Renaldi MT (ASCP), MPA: The skills that will be required in the lab tech milieu over the next 3-5 years are the same ones that are necessary now, which is what makes the lab tech profession so lucrative. Foundational laboratory skills are a must now and will be must in the future. Once the aspiring lab tech learns and masters the foundational work, such as lab math, pipetting, dilution schemes, titrating, proper glassware use and application, basic spectrophotometry, transformational weights and measures, microscopy, etc. then they'll be readily adaptable for employment in any laboratory setting.
What will help Medical Laboratory Assistants increase their earning potential?
Martin Renaldi MT (ASCP), MPA: I would highly recommend that the newly graduated lab tech does not limit themself to a specific location or a specific vocation. The places to work and the types of jobs available are nearly limitless. If one thinks outside of the box, outside of the mainstream lab tech opportunities, they'll find a whole host of other intriguing possibilities. So, do not limit yourself, the world is your oyster, .......so to speak.
What general advice would you give to a Medical Laboratory Assistant?
Dr. Kendall Morris Ph.D.: If you succeed, it is more wonderful than you could imagine. You get to find out things that no one else knows! You get to work with the best, smartest and usually nicest people in the world from all over the world. It’s likely that you will be required to travel, expenses paid, to amazing places with even more amazing people, some of whom will become not only colleagues but life-long friends or more like family. The pay becomes much better, though never what would be likely in other businesses. However, the pressure to acquire funding is ever-present.
What general advice would you give to a Medical Laboratory Assistant?
Eve Leija AAS, NCMA: To maximize salary for a medical assistant obtaining certification from one of the credentialing organizations such as American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) can make a new hire more competitive. Continuing educations along with developing any specialized skills such as phlebotomy. Demonstrating professionalism initiative and reliability, along with gaining a strong reference from previous employers.
What Medical Laboratory Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Eve Leija AAS, NCMA: Flexibility is a must in healthcare. You must be flexible with your job functions, time and most importantly your patients. You must be able to pivot with little to no notice and be ready and wiling to assist anyone in your clinic; providers, co-workers, patients, etc.
What will help Medical Laboratory Assistants increase their earning potential?
Eve Leija AAS, NCMA: To meet the demands of evolving healthcare and provide high-quality care to patients technological proficiency (EHR systems, Telehealth support), clinical skills (any skills that can enhance what you’ve learned in school. Phlebotomy, point of care testing devices), communication and soft skills (adaptability, problem-solving, empathy and compassion) are a must. I feel a lot of the younger generation lacks the soft skills needed in healthcare/professional jobs. Administrative skills and patient care and safety (infections control and chronic disease management).
Ethan Kentzel MS, MLS ASCPcm
Program Director, Medical Laboratory Science and Phlebotomy ProgramsBloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
Biology
What general advice would you give to a Medical Laboratory Assistant?
Ethan Kentzel MS, MLS ASCPcm: You completed an MLS program and you have learned a ton of information in a short span of time. However, there is still so much to learn for Medical Laboratory Science! We recommend that you do your best to grow into the role, practice with a questioning attitude, participate and advocate for the field, consider joining our advocacy group - the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS). If you have not taken your ASCP MLS BOC exam, we highly recommend that you do as a way to validate your learning experiences and to optimize your long term career growth.
Dr. Janice Thomas
Professor and Program DirectorWeber State University
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences
What general advice would you give to a Medical Laboratory Assistant?
Dr. Janice Thomas: Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLTs) are an integral part of the healthcare team as seventy percent (70%) of diagnoses come from laboratory results. On a day-to-day basis, the duties of an MLT can include collecting and analyzing samples, maintaining laboratory equipment, and accurately recording results for medical providers to review and consider when diagnosing patients.
What Medical Laboratory Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Janice Thomas: Entering the field of Medical Laboratory Sciences is a wise choice, particularly now, due to the growing demand for healthcare services and the increasing technology in medical diagnostics. With an aging population and the continuous development of innovative medical tests and procedures, the need for skilled MLTs is more pronounced than ever. This profession not only offers job stability and opportunities for advancement but also the satisfaction of contributing to patient care and the well-being of the community.
What will help Medical Laboratory Assistants increase their earning potential?
Dr. Janice Thomas: Many MLTs appreciate the variety and dynamic nature of the work. They welcome the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge technology, and the sense of fulfillment that comes from playing an important role in patient care. The profession also offers a good balance of teamwork and individual responsibilities, along with diverse disciplines and career paths. But, like any profession, there are challenges. Some may find the work mentally demanding and stressful, particularly when dealing with urgent cases or critical results. Others may prefer more patient contact than the role typically provides. It's also important to note that the profession requires meticulous attention to detail and adherence to strict protocols, which can be taxing for some individuals.
What general advice would you give to a Medical Laboratory Assistant?
Janice Noteboom, MHA/Ed., CMA (AAMA): -LIKE- People who enjoy working as a Medical Assistant do it because they get a
great satisfaction from help other people. They are often the first contact with the
patient in the medical facility, which sets the tone for the rest of the visit.
They feel good making sure that their patients have the right information that they
need, the appropriate medical care they need, and helping patients feel better.
Good problem-solving skills, compassion, understanding, patience and keeping
up with a fast-paced office is very rewarding.
-DISLIKE- Some Medical Assistants have determined that there are
area/tasks/etc. that they dislike, listed below are some of these things:
You’re always around people who are sick
Long work hours can include 10 or 12-hour days
Lower starting salary, which is usually based on education and
experience level
Having to deal with stressful situations and difficult patients
Dealing with patients who are angry, cranky, anxious or not feeling well
Working under pressure from extremely tight deadlines
What Medical Laboratory Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Janice Noteboom, MHA/Ed., CMA (AAMA): duties vary, depending on the medical office/hospital/urgent/specialty clinics
where they are employed. Below are some specific job duties that are very
common in the day-in-the-life of a Medical Assistant (these duties include, but
are not limited to the following):
Greeting patients and checking them in at the Waiting room window
Collecting vital signs from patients
Answer phones as needed
Assist with scheduling patient appointments
Data entry of patient information in an electronic medical record (EMR)
Using various computer applications
Transmitting prescription refills
Insurance coding & billing
Obtain or completing procedures for preauthorizations/hospital
admissions/outside testing/etc.
Collecting specimens for Point-of-Care testing or send outs to reference
labs
Venipuncture/Examination Assistance to provider/other duties as needed
What will help Medical Laboratory Assistants increase their earning potential?
Janice Noteboom, MHA/Ed., CMA (AAMA): Medical Assistants
have become a vital member to any health care team! Below are some specific
educational areas and training that a face-to-face or hybrid Medical Assistant
Program offers and what students will do on a daily basis (or during class and lab
sessions) that will help provide training quality assurance: (these are just some of
the areas of training and education that students will receive in an CAAHEP
(Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) accredited
Medical Assistant Program:
Interacting with patients
Hands-on training with hypodermic needles used for injections and
venipuncture
Using other medical equipment like the various thermometers, pulse
oximeter, EKG machine, nebulizer, etc.
Experience with scheduling/accounting/EMR software applications
Students learn and practice many clinical procedures like patient transfers,
wound care, disease transmission prevention, completion of various
requisitions for medical testing, emergency procedures, caring for adult
and pediatric patients, and much more.
Students also learn and practice Pharmacology procedures which include
medication administration, adult and pediatric medication dosing,
medication uses, side effects/adverse effects/toxicity/etc.
Laboratory Procedures allows students to learn and practice how to
perform Point-of-Care testing, venipuncture, laboratory testing results,
urinalysis, etc.
Finally, Students will complete a Medical Assistant Program Externship at
a medical office/hospital/urgent care/specialty clinic to practice the skills
and training in real life.
Jamie Myers
Education Program Associate, Allied Health CoordinatorPennsylvania State University - Hazleton
Continuing Education Department
What skills stand out on Medical Laboratory Assistant resumes?
Jamie Myers: Bilingual, Phlebotomy, EKGs.
What soft skills should all Medical Laboratory Assistants possess?
Jamie Myers: Critical thinking, problem-solving, dependability.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Medical Laboratory Assistants?
Jamie Myers: Computer skills.
What skills will help Medical Laboratory Assistants earn the most?
Jamie Myers: Bilingual, Phlebotomy, and Computer.
Lindsey Clark
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Department of Laboratory Sciences
What soft skills should all Medical Laboratory Assistants possess?
Lindsey Clark: Laboratory scientists are like medical detectives-looking for clues that lead to diagnoses, which requires attention to detail, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. These are some of the most important soft skills for laboratory scientists, time management, adaptability, and communication skills.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Medical Laboratory Assistants?
Lindsey Clark: Nearly all clinical laboratory scientists will need to know how to use a microscope properly, operate various lab instruments or analyzers, and perform complex laboratory testing according to standard operating procedures. They may also be required to collect, process, or analyze specimens, maintain quality control records, prepare chemical reagents, investigate atypical or discrepant test results, determine causation, or communicate with other healthcare professionals.
Helen Martin
Associate Professor, Division DirectorMedical University of South Carolina
Division of Physician Assistant Studies
What skills will help Medical Laboratory Assistants earn the most?
Helen Martin: 4-year degree in laboratory science.
Patricia Ellinger
Medical Laboratory Science FacultySaint Cloud State University
Medical Laboratory Science
What hard/technical skills are most important for Medical Laboratory Assistants?
Patricia Ellinger: -Careful work: Precision, accuracy, reproducibility
-Knowledge of quality control, ability to recognize when a test result looks wrong and what to do about it
Louise Millis
Medical Laboratory Science and Histotechnician Program Director, Associate Professor of BiologySaint Cloud State University
Medical Laboratory Science
What skills stand out on Medical Laboratory Assistant resumes?
Louise Millis: Note, we offer a four-year degree, so these individuals are Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS). The Technician is the two-year level.
-Oral and written communication with others in the lab, lab profession (doctors)
-Ability to work alone or in a group (teamwork)
-Ability to follow directions
-Problem solving
-Careful work: Precision, accuracy, reproducibility
-Ask questions when need help: Know when to ask for help, the data matters, ask to confirm a test result if in question, before sending out
-Ethical
-Time management
-Self-awareness of strengths and weaknesses
-Confidence without arrogance
-Leadership
What soft skills should all Medical Laboratory Assistants possess?
Louise Millis: Understanding that a patient's sample is from a loved one. Results matter. They need to be perfect
What hard/technical skills are most important for Medical Laboratory Assistants?
Louise Millis: -Careful work: Precision, accuracy, reproducibility
-Knowledge of quality control, ability to recognize when a test result looks wrong and what to do about it
What skills will help Medical Laboratory Assistants earn the most?
Louise Millis: -Problem solving gives you the ability to see opportunities, to take on additional tasks or projects
-Careful work: Precision, accuracy, reproducibility
-Ability to work with others
-Work experience with the above and also furthering your education
-Work experience which enhance base knowledge and technical skills
-Educational
-MBA for some positions (depends on the size of the hospital), management
-MS/Ph.D. for some positions
-Depends on the size of the hospital
-Also, needed for an academic position, MS for some, others require PhD
What skills stand out on Medical Laboratory Assistant resumes?
Patrick Tracy: -Good critical-thinking skills
-Good problem-solving skills
-Able to prioritize tasks
-Pay attention to detail
-Take a process from beginning to end
-Maintain focus for periods
What soft skills should all Medical Laboratory Assistants possess?
Patrick Tracy: -Work well with a team
-Work well alone
-Communicate calmly and clearly
What hard/technical skills are most important for Medical Laboratory Assistants?
Patrick Tracy: -Ability to work with and repair instruments and machinery
What skills will help Medical Laboratory Assistants earn the most?
Patrick Tracy: -I tend to think technical jobs like this to be fairly pegged to a salary scale rather than negotiable.
-Experience in most, if not all, clinical lab areas, but especially in blood bank and microbiology
Michelle Boller
Chair, Business Technology, Associate Professor and Program DirectorUniversity of Montana
Business Technology Depatment
What hard/technical skills are most important for Medical Laboratory Assistants?
Michelle Boller: Familiar with and competent in all Medical Assisting skills, including taking vitals, phlebotomy, medication and vaccine administration, ECGs.
What skills will help Medical Laboratory Assistants earn the most?
Michelle Boller: Proficiency in all of the expectations of your particular clinic, as well as all skills that fall under a medical assistant's scope of practice, will bring promotions to supervisory or management roles. Consistently gaining knowledge in all things medicine and clinical skills will bring pay increases.
What skills stand out on Medical Laboratory Assistant resumes?
Michelle Boller: Various experiences, including being proficient as a phlebotomist, experience with care coordination, computer skills, and familiarity with MA skills and administrative medical knowledge.
Jennifer Larimore Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorAgnes Scott College
Biology and Neuroscience Department
What skills stand out on Medical Laboratory Assistant resumes?
Jennifer Larimore Ph.D.: Animal handling or work with animal model systems, science presentations at the symposium, internships or independent research projects, inquiry-given lab experiences
What soft skills should all Medical Laboratory Assistants possess?
Jennifer Larimore Ph.D.: Teamwork, leadership, working with a diverse team.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Medical Laboratory Assistants?
Jennifer Larimore Ph.D.: Ability to run PCRs, ability to run gel electrophoresis, statistical analysis
What skills will help Medical Laboratory Assistants earn the most?
Jennifer Larimore Ph.D.: A combination of the skills listed in 1-3.
What experience really stands out on Medical Laboratory Assistant resumes?
John Cooper Ph.D.: Employers want experience. In the sciences, research is one of the most important experiences that students can obtain. Research allows students to get in-depth hands-on training solving real world problems by putting into practice what they have learned in their labs and lectures. It also allows students to communicate their findings both in peer-reviewed publications and scientific conferences. Research experience is not only a top priority for employers, it is also required for admission to top medical schools and graduate schools in the sciences.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Medical Laboratory Assistants?
John Cooper Ph.D.: One of the most amazing impacts of the pandemic was the rapidity to which students and employees had to adapt to new online modes of communications and scheduling for large interactive groups. This was already a trend in the sciences where multi-disciplinary teams were geographically dispersed, but now it is a universally expected skill set, and this adoption took place in less than a year. Students who took classes during the pandemic were exposed to a wide-range of teaching and training pedagogies. Virtual labs, at home delivered lab kits, hybrid labs with students both in person and online, and every possible delivery method that can be imagined for lectures became the norm. Our students were unintentionally part of a great experiment where they were able to evaluate what works well and what does not work so well. Whether they know it or not, this knowledge will guide them as they make future decisions in their careers about the best ways to communicate, train, and interact with their peers, employees, and employers. Our graduates are the leaders of the future, and the successful ones will find this experience to have been invaluable.
What's a good job out of college for Medical Laboratory Assistants?
Dr. Ajay Mahajan: Professional areas, such as engineering, medical, law, business, etc., should not see much change except the requirement of new skills that allow them to work with less social interaction. What may change are jobs in some areas such as hospitality, entertainment, transportation, etc., as many of these jobs will be lost to automation. Hence, any job that resists automation should do fine. Certain areas that have to do with climate change, advanced manufacturing, sustainability, health care, etc will do better than others based on the new administration priorities.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Medical Laboratory Assistants?
Dr. Ajay Mahajan: I think the COVID-19 pandemic will have an enduring effect on graduates, and everyone in the workforce. Graduates will enter a workforce that will be fundamentally changed from the pre-pandemic era. Even after herd immunity, and after we go back to what we will call the new normal, life will not mirror the past. Industry will remain lean, cost-effective and risk-averse for some time. Whatever can be done from home, or remote platforms will be encouraged. Business meetings, interactions, and even negotiations may continue mostly on the remote platforms with some face-to-face meetings. Graduates will need to accept this as the new normal at least for some time.
What will help Medical Laboratory Assistants increase their earning potential?
Dr. Ajay Mahajan: Anyone that can and has adapted to remote working will do fine. Remote working also comes with the caveat that you have to sometimes work alone, without supervision, make decisions on your own, and yet be a team player. Learning new platforms for meetings, business operations, project management and effective leadership will help in increased earning potential. In engineering, being involved in robotics, automation, sustainability, advanced manufacturing, Industry 4.0, smart systems, cyber-security, biomedical innovation, etc., is a plus.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Medical Laboratory Assistants?
Lucas Tucker Ph.D.: The coronavirus pandemic will almost certainly have some impact on student learning. Much of this gap will be closed in the first few years of employment if students work in fields directly using skills learned in the classes affected directly by the pandemic. This will affect skills, especially lab skills, from schools who stayed virtual. This is why we pushed for in-person lab experiences. Schools will work to close these gaps with students who are in the earlier parts of their education.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Medical Laboratory Assistants?
Lucas Tucker Ph.D.: College students are well served to spend time trying to find ways to differentiate their college degree. This can be accomplished by taking additional classes, participating in additional experiences, and providing service to their community. In chemistry, internships and experience in research are excellent examples of high impact practices that allow scientific maturation. Relationships with your professors and other students and community members can have a real networking benefit. Introducing students to scientific community members can help advance job prospects.
What will help Medical Laboratory Assistants increase their earning potential?
Lucas Tucker Ph.D.: The business of chemistry is a $797 Billion enterprise and a key element of the nation's economy. Over 26% of U.S. GDP is generated from industries that rely on chemistry, ranging from agriculture to oil and gas production, from semiconductors and electronics to textiles and vehicles, and from pharmaceuticals to residential and commercial energy efficiency products.www.americanchemistry.com
Having a degree in chemistry or biochemistry is a good way to have good earning potential. To increase this potential, participation in internships and research experiences are valuable. Often students choose to go on and further their education with graduate degrees. This can also increase earning potential. Students with a degree in chemistry or biochemistry are expected to have strong data skills and this is an area with large growth in industry presently.
What will help Medical Laboratory Assistants increase their earning potential?
Xenia Morin Ph.D.: Helping new farmers have access to good mentors, facilities, infrastructure, and land as well as easy access to on-going training to incorporate more sustainable practices and build business skills.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Medical Laboratory Assistants?
Xenia Morin Ph.D.: Yes. Food systems are changing and people have realized that there is a need for local and regional food systems. I expect that people will continue to buy more food locally, when food is available, for the near future. Others will start their own businesses and gardens and try producing some food at home and for their community.
What's a day at work look like for a Medical Laboratory Assistant?
Xenia Morin Ph.D.: Students who are interested in producing food will find themselves in indoor cultivation facilities as well as out in the field. Others will find themselves helping to bring more sustainable practices and awareness to the state.