33101

Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations

TEER 3 — College diploma, shorter apprenticeship or 6+ months training

Express Entry skill level: Yes
Regulated in Québec: No
In demand in Manitoba: Yes

Classification

Health

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Definition

Medical laboratory assistants and workers in related technical occupations perform pre-analysis and pre-testing tasks such as collecting blood and other samples, processing specimens, and preparing special chemicals called reagents for use in testing. They conduct routine medical laboratory tests and set up, clean and maintain medical laboratory equipment. They are employed in medical laboratories in hospitals, clinics, research facilities, post-secondary educational institutions and government research laboratories.

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Collect, label, sort and prepare blood, tissue and other samples from patients
Log and validate patient samples and prepare them for testing
Set up medical laboratory equipment
Prepare chemical reagents to be combined with biological samples for testing
Conduct routine laboratory tests and sample analyses
Perform quality assurance of testing techniques and record results
Clean and maintain medical laboratory and medical laboratory equipment.

Example job titles

•medical laboratory aide
•medical laboratory assistant
•medical laboratory technician
•phlebotomist
•phlebotomy aide

Overview

NOC 33101, representing Medical Laboratory Assistants and Related Technical Occupations under Canada's NOC 2021 system, is classified as a TEER 3 occupation. Individuals in this role perform a variety of routine laboratory procedures, prepare medical specimens for testing, and maintain essential laboratory equipment. They work in diverse environments, including hospital laboratories, private clinics, research facilities, and post-secondary educational institutions, playing a critical role in supporting medical laboratory technologists and healthcare teams.

To qualify for this occupation in Canada, candidates typically require completion of a secondary school education combined with a college program for medical laboratory assistants, or equivalent on-the-job training. Duties under NOC 33101 include collecting and sorting blood or other specimens, setting up and sanitizing equipment, and performing basic laboratory tests. Depending on the province or territory, professional certification with the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) may be preferred or required by employers.

From an immigration perspective, NOC 33101's classification as TEER 3 makes it eligible for key economic pathways, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under the Express Entry system. Candidates may also explore various Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) that target skilled healthcare workers. Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional immigration advice. For official requirements, please refer to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Educational overview summarizing this occupation. Always confirm against the official NOC profile and IRCC before relying on it.

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Occupation data: Statistics Canada / ESDC — National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021.