Chances of getting a job as a medical laboratory technician are good. There are not enough medical laboratory technicians to meet current demand, and the job appears on Immigration New Zealand's immediate skill shortage list. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled medical laboratory technicians from overseas to work in New Zealand.

Demand for people in this role is rising due to New Zealand's ageing population, which has caused:

• more testing in hospital and community laboratories
• rising patient numbers, and a greater need for hospitals to provide a 24-hour service.

In 2006, there were 3,078 medical laboratory technicians in New Zealand – up 6% from 2001. However, this growth was low when compared with 26% growth in the number of other life science technicians and related workers in the same period. 

Number of people employed as medical laboratory technicians in New Zealand
(1996, 2001, 2006)

Census	Number of medical laboratory technicians
1996	2,900
2001	2,913
2006	3,078
Source: Department of Labour, Jobs and Tertiary Education Indicator Tool.

Medical laboratory technicians with specialist skills in demand

There is particular demand for medical laboratory technicians to work as clinical research associates, or in phlebotomy (taking blood samples from veins) or histology (studying cells and tissue under a microscope).

Medical laboratory technicians work in hospital and private laboratories. Many work in large private laboratories, which do a  wider range of tests.

Most medical laboratory technicians work in the health services industry. 

Top three industries employing medical laboratory technicians in New Zealand
(2006)

Industry	Percentage of medical laboratory technicians employed
Health services	49%
Hospitals and nursing homes	15%
Scientific research	6%
Source: Department of Labour, Jobs and Tertiary Education Indicator Tool.

Medical laboratory technicians work throughout New Zealand, although most work in the main centres of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, where demand is greatest because of population.

As of  January 2008 medical laboratory technicians have been required to spend more time participating in training programmes to demonstrate their competency, a requirement of renewing their Annual Practising Certificate. This is so they can keep up with changes to medical laboratory equipment, technology, and techniques.

In 2009, medical laboratory technicians will need to to meet two requirements for recertification:

• supervisor certification (as at present)
• 8 hours of professional development in 2008.