Prepare specimens, reagents and equipment and carry out routine laboratory procedures under the supervision of a Medical Technologist. A shorter two-year route into the laboratory than the four-year BSc, offered at community colleges and private paramedical colleges.
Salary Breakdown
Laboratory Technician (SOG/ST 2, Band 4) in a public laboratory - advertised range $1,711,060 - $2,301,186 per annum by the Government of Jamaica. Handles sample reception, storage, reagent preparation and equipment checks.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
Based on the midpoint of the Entry salary range ($2,006,123 JMD), after NIS, NHT, Education Tax, and PAYE.
Show deduction breakdown
- Gross (annual)
- $2,006,123 JMD
- NIS (3%)
- −$60,183 JMD
- NHT (2%)
- −$40,122 JMD
- Education Tax
- −$43,783 JMD
- PAYE Income Tax
- −$10,894 JMD
- Net (annual)
- $1,851,138 JMD
Estimate only — illustrative rates and thresholds, not tax advice. Confirm current figures with Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).
Career Path Roadmap
- 1
CSEC Subjects
Pass CSEC/CXC subjects including English Language and a science. Public-sector advertisements ask for four subjects including English and a science; college programmes usually ask for five including Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry.
5 years (Forms 1-5) - 2
Associate Degree or Certificate
Complete a two-year Associate of Applied Science or certificate in Medical Laboratory Technician at a community college or private paramedical college - shorter and cheaper than the four-year BSc route.
2 years - 3
Clinical Internship
Complete the supervised clinical internship attached to your programme (about four to five months at SPACS College) in a hospital or private laboratory.
4 - 6 months - 4
Entry-Level Laboratory Technician
Work as a Laboratory Technician (SOG/ST 2) in a public laboratory such as the National Public Health Laboratory, or in a private, food or veterinary laboratory. Some posts ask for one year of laboratory experience.
1 - 3 years - 5
Specialise or Supervise
Add training in Laboratory Information Systems, molecular laboratory cleaning and maintenance, waste management and laboratory quality systems, then move into a senior bench or supervisory role.
3 - 7 years - 6
Bridge to Medical Technologist
Optional: use your experience and credits toward the four-year BSc in Medical Technology at UTech or NCU, then license with the CPSM as a Medical Technologist on the HPC/MDT scale.
3 - 4 years (optional)
Required Education
- 4 - 5 CSEC subjects including English Language and a science subject (Biology or Chemistry)
- Associate degree or certificate in Medical Laboratory Technician (about 2 years)
- Supervised clinical internship (about 4 - 6 months)
- One year of laboratory experience is asked for in some public-sector posts
Common Local Certifications
- No statutory licence exists for laboratory technicians - the CPSM licence applies to Medical Technologists who hold the BSc
- Training in Laboratory Information Systems (LIS)
- Training in laboratory cleaning, maintenance and waste management
- Optional international certification (AMT or ASCP) after an accredited programme
Where to Train
Local Institutions Offering Programs
- SPACS College (School of Paramedical Studies), Ocho Rios - its programmes are listed by the UCJ as under review (in the accreditation process), not yet accredited, as at the December 2024 register - AAS in Medical Laboratory Technician
- Caribbean School for Medical Sciences, Jamaica - Associate of Science in Natural and Applied Sciences
- Community colleges offering associate degrees in applied or natural sciences - check the laboratory specialisation and its UCJ status