The State of the California Medical Laboratory Technician Workforce

Date: 01/30/2017
Author(s): Kristine A. Himmerick, Ginachukwu Amah and Susan Chapman 

 

As labs face workforce shortages, could medical laboratory technicians (MLTs) help fill the gap? California faces laboratory workforce shortages to meet the healthcare demands of the population. This national study compares the California MLT workforce to the rest of the country. The California MLT supply is scarce and the scope of practice laws are more restrictive than any other state. Laboratory personnel in other states that regulate MLTs generally support MLTs practicing to their highest level of training.