Travel Medical Laboratory Technician Jobs in Iowa

The median salary for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians in the state of Iowa was $52,490 per year or $25.23 per hour in 2020 with most earning an annual salary between $43,880 and $61,170 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Entry-level jobs in Iowa or those with the lowest 10% salary earned around $35,670, while the highest 10% earned more than $75,000. Iowa ranks 38 in median annual salary for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians, though when adjusted to the relative cost of living, Iowa ranks at 14.

Typically, travel laboratory jobs will provide higher hourly and weekly pay than permanent positions in the same specialty, facility, and location. The estimated weekly gross pay listed for travel Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians is based on the specified hours per week listed on job cards and includes available stipend amounts.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of medical and clinical laboratory technicians is projected to grow by 11% from 2018 to 2028, which is faster than the average for all occupations.

The demand for medical laboratory technicians is expected to increase due to the aging population and the prevalence of chronic diseases that require laboratory testing. Additionally, advances in medical technology and the development of new tests are creating new job opportunities for medical laboratory technicians.

In Iowa specifically, there are numerous healthcare facilities and hospitals that employ medical laboratory technicians. The largest employer of lab techs in Iowa is UnityPoint Health, which operates hospitals and clinics throughout the state.

A medical laboratory technician is a trained healthcare professional who handles liquid and solid blood or tissue samples of bodily fluids and tissues to diagnose diseases and evaluate the effectiveness of treatments. They work primarily as part of the healthcare industry in medical facilities and laboratories, critical access and surgical hospitals, clinics or research facilities.

Medical laboratory technologists' responsibilities include collecting samples and analyzing data, interpreting results and reporting normal or abnormal findings to physicians or other healthcare providers. Medical laboratory technicians use highly sensitive specialized equipment such as microscopes, spectrophotometers, and various chemical and biological instruments to perform tests on samples, identify cell types, microorganisms and abnormalities in fluids and tissues.

Medical lab technicians must follow strict protocols and safety procedures when working with lab equipment, biological samples and biological specimens to ensure accurate results and prevent contamination. A medical laboratory technician is crucial to the medical field as their work assists in the prevention of illness, patient's diagnosis of medical conditions and treatment of diseases. They play a vital role in healthcare by providing accurate and reliable laboratory results which form the basis of medical decisions made by physicians and other healthcare professionals.

Following completion of their educational requirements, typically an associate's degree program from an accredited institution, medical laboratory technicians should obtain a certification from a recognized professional organization. The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) offers the Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) certification, which is recognized by most states.

To qualify for the MLT certification, candidates must have completed a medical laboratory science program and have at least one year of clinical laboratory experience. They must also pass a certification exam, which covers topics in biological sciences such as hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, and immunology.

In addition to the educational and certification requirements, some states may require a license to practice as a medical laboratory technician. There are 13 states that require a license to practice as a medical laboratory technician: California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Tennessee, West Virginia, Texas, and New York. Each state has its own licensing requirements, which may include education, experience, and passing a certification exam.