Post job

What is a medical laboratory technologist internship and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Janice Conway-Klaassen Ph.D.,
Xenia Morin Ph.D.
introduction image

Medical laboratory technologist internships involve receiving training in a professional laboratory setting. Your duties will depend on the nature of the lab and the details of the internship program. Most interns are science students who spend their internship organizing and preparing samples and conducting tests using laboratory equipment tools. Under this program, you will work under a professional laboratory technologist/technician.

Under this internship program, you will work under the supervision of and assist a professional laboratory technician in conducting laboratory tests, procedures, experiments, and analysis to provide data for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. They analyze bodily fluids such as blood, urine, and spinal fluid, to determine the presence of normal and abnormal components. No prior education is required; however, this internship is mainly open to science and related disciplines in the process of completing their bachelor's degree. No prior work experience is required, although computer literacy and other basic skills may help you succeed.

Internships provide great opportunities to gain insight into the professional field of their choice. If performed properly, it can also lead to a permanent position at the organization of your choice. The average hourly salary for a medical laboratory technologist internship is $15.62.

What general advice would you give to a medical laboratory technologist internship?

Janice Conway-Klaassen Ph.D.Janice Conway-Klaassen Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor & Director, Medical Laboratory Sciences Program, Mildred King Rohwer Chair in Medical Technology, University of Minnesota

Your first job may not be your dream job, but you may be surprised by what opportunities it provides. Keep your eyes and ears open for those opportunities.
ScoreMedical Laboratory Technologist InternshipUS Average
Salary
2.9

Avg. Salary $37,088

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
9.6

Growth rate 16%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
8.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.80%

Asian 14.15%

Black or African American 9.89%

Hispanic or Latino 16.93%

Unknown 5.10%

White 53.13%

Gender

female 54.11%

male 45.89%

Age - 44
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44
Stress level
9.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
9.6

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.3

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Medical laboratory technologist internship career paths

Key steps to become a medical laboratory technologist internship

  1. Explore medical laboratory technologist internship education requirements

    Most common medical laboratory technologist internship degrees

    Bachelor's

    58.1 %

    Associate

    24.2 %

    Certificate

    5.1 %
  2. Start to develop specific medical laboratory technologist internship skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Lab Equipment10.76%
    Patients7.75%
    Microbiology7.33%
    Hematology6.97%
    Laboratory Procedures6.86%
  3. Complete relevant medical laboratory technologist internship training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New medical laboratory technologist interns learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a medical laboratory technologist internship based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real medical laboratory technologist internship resumes.
  4. Research medical laboratory technologist internship duties and responsibilities

    • Operate and manage standard quality control on laboratory equipment as well as some specialize equipment for serology studies.
    • Work in all departments of the general hospital laboratory including hematology, chemistry, blood bank, urinalysis, microbiology.
    • Demonstrate ability in areas of chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, serology, histology and bacteriology.
    • Perform immunology and serology testing.
  5. Prepare your medical laboratory technologist internship resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your medical laboratory technologist internship resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a medical laboratory technologist internship resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable medical laboratory technologist internship resume templates

    Build a professional medical laboratory technologist internship resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your medical laboratory technologist internship resume.
    Medical Laboratory Technologist Internship Resume
    Medical Laboratory Technologist Internship Resume
    Medical Laboratory Technologist Internship Resume
    Medical Laboratory Technologist Internship Resume
    Medical Laboratory Technologist Internship Resume
    Medical Laboratory Technologist Internship Resume
    Medical Laboratory Technologist Internship Resume
    Medical Laboratory Technologist Internship Resume
    Medical Laboratory Technologist Internship Resume
  6. Apply for medical laboratory technologist internship jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a medical laboratory technologist internship job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first medical laboratory technologist internship job

Zippi

Are you a medical laboratory technologist internship?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average medical laboratory technologist internship salary

The average medical laboratory technologist internship salary in the United States is $37,088 per year or $18 per hour. Medical laboratory technologist internship salaries range between $26,000 and $52,000 per year.

Average medical laboratory technologist internship salary
$37,088 Yearly
$17.83 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do medical laboratory technologist interns rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Medical laboratory technologist internship reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2022
Pros

I like working in the Microbiology and Virology area. I have 35 years experience in those areas

Cons

I really like everything about being a Medical Technologist. Is a great profession


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020
Pros

I like the work. Chemistry . Serology . Micro . Blood Bank

Cons

Low pay ..No Respect


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on May 2019
Pros

It gives me joy to diagnose and save lives. I am always satisfied and contempt that I am achieving my life goals.

Cons

Nothing really except the hazard involved.


Working as a medical laboratory technologist internship? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs