Medical Laboratory Technicians
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Medical Laboratory Technicians perform routine medical laboratory tests and operate diagnostic laboratory equipment under the supervision of Medical Laboratory Scientists and Pathologists.
Also known as: Medical Laboratory Technical Officer.
A formal qualification in laboratory technology, operations, skills or techniques is usually needed to work as a Medical Laboratory Technician. University and Vocational Education and Training (VET) are both common study pathways.
Tasks
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Operates equipment used in diagnosing and monitoring disorders of hearing, the heart, kidneys and nervous system.
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Undertakes and assists with medical analytical procedures and assists anaesthetists and surgical teams.
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Records the electrical activity of the heart, from which the heart rate is measured and pattern and rhythm is interpreted.
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Prepares and stains slides and tissue sections to study the cells of blood for histological examination.
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Performs diagnostic tests on tissues and fluids and analyses the chemical constituents of blood, urine, faeces and tissues.
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Tests for diseases by looking for the presence of antibodies and the products of immune response in samples.
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Sets up, checks and maintains operating theatres, and anaesthetic workstations, life support machines and associated equipment.
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Refers prescriptions to pharmacists and assists in preparing medications.
Characteristics
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University
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Practical
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Analytical
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Administrative
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Helping
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Light
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Medical Technicians, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 62% of people employed as Medical Laboratory Technicians work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 4 percentage points below the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 40 hours per week in their main job. This is 4 hours less than the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Medical Laboratory Technicians work in the Health care and social assistance industry. They are also employed in industries like:
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Education and training
- Public administration and safety.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Medical Laboratory Technicians | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 35.5 | 31.6 |
VIC | 18.2 | 25.6 |
QLD | 18.8 | 20.0 |
SA | 10.8 | 7.0 |
WA | 12.8 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.6 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.7 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.7 | 1.9 |
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Around 72% of Medical Laboratory Technicians live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
New South Wales and South Australia have a large share of employment relative to their population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Medical Laboratory Technicians is 39 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 74% of the workforce. This is 26 percentage points above the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Medical Laboratory Technicians | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.9 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 11.0 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 27.9 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 21.7 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 20.1 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 9.9 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 5.8 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 2.7 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 39 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
A formal qualification in laboratory technology, operations, skills or techniques is usually needed to work as a Medical Laboratory Technician. University and Vocational Education and Training (VET) are both common study pathways.
Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Health Industry and Laboratory Operations VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Medical Laboratory Technicians | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 7.7 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 34.2 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 25.6 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 10.0 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 15.6 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 2.5 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 4.4 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Medical Technicians who have good people skills, a high attention to detail and are accurate.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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48%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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48%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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48%
ScienceUsing scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
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45%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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45%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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45%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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45%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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45%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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43%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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43%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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43%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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43%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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43%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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43%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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43%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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43%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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43%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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43%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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41%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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39%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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63%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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62%
BiologyPlant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, how they rely on and work with each other and the environment.
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61%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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59%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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56%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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55%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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54%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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47%
Medicine and dentistryDiagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities, including preventive health-care measures.
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46%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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45%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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44%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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36%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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33%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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32%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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28%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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28%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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26%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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19%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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18%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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14%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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55%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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55%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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54%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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54%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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52%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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50%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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45%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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45%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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45%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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43%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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43%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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43%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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43%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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43%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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43%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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43%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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43%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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43%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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41%
MathematicsChoose the right maths method or formula to solve a problem.
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41%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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80%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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76%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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76%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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73%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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71%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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69%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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68%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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65%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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65%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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64%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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63%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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62%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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62%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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61%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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59%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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58%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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56%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
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52%
Working with electronic equipmentServicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing electronic devices and equipment.
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49%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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47%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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81%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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81%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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62%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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57%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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24%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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24%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
Values
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76%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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62%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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52%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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48%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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43%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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38%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Demands
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99%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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98%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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97%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
95%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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93%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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88%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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87%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
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84%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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83%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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81%
Disease or infectionBe exposed to disease or infections.
-
78%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
78%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
-
78%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
76%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
75%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
-
75%
Dangerous conditionsWork near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.
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74%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
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72%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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72%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
-
71%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 29-2012.00 - Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.