Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians

What the job really is

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

At a glance

• Sector: Healthcare Practitioners
• O*NET-SOC code: 29-2012
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.
• Conduct blood tests for transfusion purposes and perform blood counts.
• Obtain specimens, cultivating, isolating, and identifying microorganisms for analysis.
• Examine cells stained with dye to locate abnormalities.
• Consult with a pathologist to determine a final diagnosis when abnormal cells are found.
• Perform medical research to further control or cure disease.
• Test raw materials, processes, or finished products to determine quality or quantity of materials or characteristics of a substance.

Tools and technology

Google Docs, MEDITECH software, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, SAP software, 22-gauge needles, 5-part differential automated hematology analyzers, 8 and 12 channel pipettes, Agglutination viewers

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
• Histotechnologists
• Histology Technicians
• Cytogenetic Technologists
• Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
• Cytotechnologists
• Nuclear Medicine Technologists
• Phlebotomists

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.