Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists

Career Overview

Perform complex medical laboratory tests for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May train or supervise staff.

Also Known As

• Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS)
• Clinical Laboratory Technologist
• Medical Lab Technologist (Medical Laboratory Technologist)
• Medical Technologist (MT)

Alternate Job Titles

• Biochemistry Technologist
• Blood Bank Laboratory Technologist
• Blood Bank Medical Technologist
• Blood Bank Technologist
• Cath Lab Technologist (Catheterization Laboratory Technologist)
• Chemistry Technologist
• Clinical Chemist
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS)
• Clinical Laboratory Technologist
• Clinical Research Associate
• Clinical Researcher
• Differential Specialist
• Hematology Technologist
• Histologist Technologist
• Histotechnologist

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• Analyze samples of biological material for chemical content or reaction.
• Analyze laboratory findings to check the accuracy of the results.
• Conduct chemical analysis of body fluids, including blood, urine, or spinal fluid, to determine presence of normal or abnormal components.
• Enter data from analysis of medical tests or clinical results into computer for storage.
• Collect and study blood samples to determine the number of cells, their morphology, or their blood group, blood type, or compatibility for transfusion purposes, using microscopic techniques.
• Set up, clean, and maintain laboratory equipment.
• Operate, calibrate, or maintain equipment used in quantitative or qualitative analysis, such as spectrophotometers, calorimeters, flame photometers, or computer-controlled analyzers.

Emerging Responsibilities

As this field evolves, you may also:

• Conduct blood typing and antibody screening.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• Chemistry
• Customer and Personal Service
• Computers and Electronics
• English Language
• Biology
• Mathematics
• Administrative
• Medicine and Dentistry
• Education and Training
• Mechanical

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

1. Science
2. Critical Thinking
3. Active Listening
4. Reading Comprehension
5. Quality Control Analysis
6. Operations Monitoring

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Near Vision
• Inductive Reasoning
• Information Ordering
• Problem Sensitivity
• Written Comprehension
• Deductive Reasoning
• Oral Comprehension
• Category Flexibility
• Oral Expression
• Arm-Hand Steadiness

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Attention to Detail
• Dependability
• Cautiousness
• Integrity
• Achievement Orientation

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Support
• Independence
• Achievement
• Relationships
• Working Conditions

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree

On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months

Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

• eClinicalWorks EHR software
• MEDITECH software
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office software
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Project
• Microsoft Word

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 hematology analyzers
• Automated platelet analyzers
• Automated urinalysis equipment
• Automated/semi-automated dipstick analysis systems
• Automatic pipetter diluters

Work Environment

• Telephone Conversations
• 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
• E-Mail
• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

Related Careers

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

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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.