Have you seen the TV show CSI? Have you wondered who all those people in white coats are, peering into microscopes and testing the samples? Those are the medical lab technicians, the people that all those detectives and doctors rely upon to do the actual work. As you might imagine, this is an important and valuable job off-screen as well. The most common qualification for a medical lab technician job is an associate's degree from a community or junior college. You can also, sometimes, get your training directly from a hospital or in the Armed Forces. Once you are qualified the work can be in a large hospital, where you might need to work in shifts, perhaps evening or night work. You can also work in smaller organizations where the hours can be more regular. The actual work you do will be testing samples, blood or other fluids. You might specialize in a particular area or technique; a histotechnician, for example, assists pathologists, and a phlebotomist specializes in blood. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand to 2014 is expected to outpace the number of qualified professionals in the field. All signs point to a wide range of opportunity in this field, making medical lab technician training a great investment in your future.