Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians

/ Bachelor's Degree, Career Discovery, Conventional (Organizers), Investigative (Thinkers), Realistic (Doers)

Career Overview

Perform routine medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May work under the supervision of a medical technologist.

Also Known As

  • Laboratory Assistant (Lab Assistant)
  • Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech)
  • Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT)
  • Medical Laboratory Technicians (Medical Lab Technician)

Alternate Job Titles

  • Biotechnician
  • Blood and Plasma Laboratory Assistant
  • Blood Bank Laboratory Technician
  • Blood or Blood Bank Technician
  • Blood Typer
  • Catheterization Laboratory Technician (Catheterization Lab Tech)
  • Certified Clinical Laboratory Technician
  • Certified Dialysis Technician
  • Clinical Laboratory Assistant (Clinical Lab Assistant)
  • Clinical Laboratory Technician (Clinical Lab Technician)
  • Clinical Research Assistant
  • Clinical Technician (Clinical Tech)
  • Donor Center Technician
  • Hematology Technician
  • Hemodialysis Technician

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

  • Conduct chemical analyses of body fluids, such as blood or urine, using microscope or automatic analyzer to detect abnormalities or diseases and enter findings into computer.
  • Analyze the results of tests or experiments to ensure conformity to specifications, using special mechanical or electrical devices.
  • Set up, maintain, calibrate, clean, and test sterility of medical laboratory equipment.
  • Prepare standard volumetric solutions or reagents to be combined with samples, following standardized formulas or experimental procedures.
  • Collect blood or tissue samples from patients, observing principles of asepsis to obtain blood sample.
  • Supervise or instruct other technicians or laboratory assistants.

Emerging Responsibilities

As this field evolves, you may also:

  • Perform quality control analyses to ensure accuracy of test results.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

  • Chemistry
  • Biology
  • English Language

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

  1. Active Listening

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

  • Near Vision
  • Oral Expression
  • Problem Sensitivity
  • Information Ordering
  • Oral Comprehension
  • Written Comprehension
  • Finger Dexterity
  • Flexibility of Closure
  • Speech Recognition
  • Visual Color Discrimination

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Cautiousness
  • Integrity
  • Cooperation

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

  • Support
  • Relationships
  • Independence
  • Working Conditions
  • Achievement

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months

Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

  • Google Docs
  • MEDITECH software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word
  • SAP software

Tools & Equipment

  • 22-gauge needles
  • 5-part differential automated hematology analyzers
  • 8 and 12 channel pipettes
  • Agglutination viewers
  • Anaerobe jars
  • Analytical balances
  • Antigen-coated test plates
  • Autoclaves
  • Automated chemistry analyzers
  • Automated coagulation analyzers
  • Automated platelet analyzers
  • Automated/semi-automated dipstick analysis systems
  • Automatic pipetters
  • Bench refractometers
  • Blood agar plates

Work Environment

  • Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  • Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  • Telephone Conversations

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

Is This Career Right for You?

Discover your perfect career match with our free comprehensive assessment! Get personalized recommendations based on your interests, skills, and values.

Take the Free Career Assessment →

Want Personalized Guidance?

For customized career recommendations, college selection strategies, and expert application support, explore the MehtA+ Admissions Consulting Program. We help students identify the right opportunities and navigate the path to achieving their academic and career goals.

Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.

Shopping Cart