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Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist

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What Do Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Do?

Medical & Clinical Laboratory Technologist Example 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

  • Develop, standardize, evaluate, or modify procedures, techniques, or tests used in the analysis of specimens or in medical laboratory experiments.
  • Harvest cell cultures at optimum time, based on knowledge of cell cycle differences and culture conditions.
  • Conduct medical research under direction of microbiologist or biochemist.
  • Analyze laboratory findings to check the accuracy of the results.
  • Operate, calibrate, or maintain equipment used in quantitative or qualitative analysis, such as spectrophotometers, calorimeters, flame photometers, or computer-controlled analyzers.
  • Provide technical information about test results to physicians, family members, or researchers.

What Every Medical & Clinical Laboratory Technologist Should Know

These are the skills Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists say are the most useful in their careers:

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

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.

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

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.

  • Cytologist
  • Clinical Researcher
  • Chemistry Technologist
  • Clinical Research Assistant
  • Hematology Technologist

Is There Job Demand for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists?

There were about 171,400 jobs for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist in 2016 (in the United States). 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.

Tools & Technologies Used by Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists

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
  • Microscopic image capturing software
  • Quality control software
  • Medical software
  • Medical digital imaging software
  • Hematology laboratory workflow management software
  • Commercial plate reader software

Becoming a Medical & Clinical Laboratory Technologist

What education is needed to be a Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist?

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What work experience do I need to become a Medical & Clinical Laboratory Technologist?

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Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those who work as a Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

References:

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

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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