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Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist

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Life As a Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist

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

A Day in the Life of a Medical & Clinical Laboratory Technologist

  • Operate, calibrate, or maintain equipment used in quantitative or qualitative analysis, such as spectrophotometers, calorimeters, flame photometers, or computer-controlled analyzers.
  • Conduct chemical analysis of body fluids, including blood, urine, or spinal fluid, to determine presence of normal or abnormal components.
  • Develop, standardize, evaluate, or modify procedures, techniques, or tests used in the analysis of specimens or in medical laboratory experiments.
  • Set up, clean, and maintain laboratory equipment.
  • Establish or monitor quality assurance programs or activities to ensure the accuracy of laboratory results.
  • Enter data from analysis of medical tests or clinical results into computer for storage.

Things a Medical & Clinical Laboratory Technologist Should Know How to Do

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Types of Medical & Clinical Laboratory Technologist Jobs

  • Cytologist
  • Differential Specialist
  • Tissue Technologist
  • Histologist Technologist
  • Chemistry Technologist

Is There Job Demand for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists?

In the United States, there were 171,400 jobs for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 11.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 19,800 new jobs for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 12,900 job openings in this field each year.

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The states with the most job growth for Medical & Clinical Laboratory Technologist are Utah, Colorado, and Arizona. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Connecticut, or Illinois. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

What Tools do Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Email software
  • Word processing software
  • Microsoft Project
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Database software
  • FileMaker Pro
  • MEDITECH software
  • Medical procedure coding software
  • Electronic medical record EMR software
  • Laboratory information system LIS
  • Medical software
  • Microscopic image capturing software
  • Quality control software
  • Commercial plate reader software
  • Hematology laboratory workflow management software
  • Medical digital imaging software

Becoming a Medical & Clinical Laboratory Technologist

Learn what Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist education requirements there are.

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Similar Careers

Career changers with experience as a Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist sometimes find work in one of the following fields:

References:

Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla via U.S. Air Force photo

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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