Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists

What the job really is

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

At a glance

• Sector: Healthcare Practitioners
• O*NET-SOC code: 29-2011
• O*NET job zone: 4 — considerable preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.
• Establish or monitor quality assurance programs or activities to ensure the accuracy of laboratory results.
• Supervise, train, or direct lab assistants, medical and clinical laboratory technicians or technologists, or other medical laboratory workers engaged in laboratory testing.
• Select and prepare specimens and media for cell cultures, using aseptic technique and knowledge of medium components and cell requirements.
• Obtain, cut, stain, and mount biological material on slides for microscopic study and diagnosis, following standard laboratory procedures.
• Provide technical information about test results to physicians, family members, or researchers.

Tools and technology

MEDITECH software, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Project, Microsoft Word, eClinicalWorks EHR software, 22-gauge needles, 5-part differential automated hematology analyzers, 8 and 12 channel pipettes, Agglutination viewers, Anaerobe jars

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 Technicians
• Histotechnologists
• Cytogenetic Technologists
• Histology Technicians
• Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
• Nuclear Medicine Technologists
• Cytotechnologists
• Neurodiagnostic Technologists

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 4 (considerable 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 Technologists — 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.