Clinical Laboratory Technologist
Clinical laboratory technologists are skilled professionals who perform a variety of tests in medical laboratories to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Their work encompasses medical, chemical, biological, and hematological analyses, where they prepare and examine specimens, conduct tests, and document results. These technologists typically operate in clean, well-ventilated environments such as hospitals, medical offices, and independent labs, often working shifts that include evenings and weekends to ensure timely test results for patients.
Individuals drawn to this field usually possess strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a solid background in the sciences. Their daily responsibilities may vary based on specialization, which can include areas like clinical chemistry, microbiology, and cytotechnology. Clinical laboratory technologists also play a vital role in supervising laboratory technicians, ensuring compliance with testing protocols, and collaborating with healthcare professionals to interpret test findings. A bachelor's degree in a related field is typically required, along with practical experience gained through internships or part-time positions. Overall, clinical laboratory technologists are integral to the healthcare system, contributing significantly to patient care through their specialized skills and expertise.
Clinical Laboratory Technologist
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Health Science
Interests: Science, analysis, working with detail, problem-solving
Earnings (Yearly Median): $57,380 per year $27.59 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 5% (Faster than average)
Entry-Level Education Bachelor's degree
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training None
Overview
Sphere of Work. Clinical laboratory technologists work in laboratories performing medical, chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic, and bacteriological tests used for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. They use manual and automated equipment to prepare specimens, examine specimens under microscopes, identify bacteria, record blood counts, perform urinalysis, and run automated tests. Clinical laboratory technologists in advanced and supervisory roles analyze test results, develop lab procedures, and supervise laboratory technicians.
Work Environment. Clinical laboratory technologists spend their work days in medical laboratories located in hospitals, doctors’ offices, medical technology businesses, educational facilities, and independent medical laboratories. Laboratory settings tend to be clean and well ventilated. Human interaction in medical labs is mostly limited to laboratory staff, doctors, and patients. Clinical laboratory technologists generally work forty hours or more per week. Clinical laboratory technologist shifts include days, evenings, weekends, and holidays to meet the medical community’s need for medical test results.
Occupation Interest. Individuals drawn to the profession of clinical laboratory technologist tend to be intelligent, analytical, and detail-oriented. Successful clinical laboratory technologists possess good eyesight, hand-eye coordination, intense focus, problem-solving skills, manual dexterity, a keen sense of responsibility and commitment to ethical standards, and concern for individuals and society. Clinical laboratory technologists should enjoy spending time in laboratory settings and have a strong background in science and infection control.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. The specific daily occupational duties and responsibilities of clinical laboratory technologists differ by job specialization and work environment. Clinical laboratory technologists may specialize in clinical chemistry, microbiology, blood bank technology, molecular biology, cytotechnology, and histotechnology.
A clinical laboratory technologist performs preparatory tasks. Preparations may include drawing blood, testing donated blood to determine its eligibility for use in transfusions, preparing slides of human tissue for analysis by pathologists, mixing the solutions and reagents to be used in laboratory tests, developing new or improved medical testing protocols, and conducting safety tests on vaccines to ensure sterility and purity.
The clinical laboratory technologist is also involved in the analysis and documentation of test results. Analysis-related tasks may include performing qualitative and quantitative analysis of bodily fluids using microscopes and automated analysis equipment, conducting protein and nucleic acid testing, recording blood counts of specific substances, incubating bacteria and maintaining them at specific temperatures to encourage growth, and screening slides of human cells for evidence of abnormalities and precancerous or cancerous cells.
Clinical laboratory technologists also perform supervisory and collaborative tasks. Confirmation of test results is extremely important since these types of tests directly affect the patient’s overall health, as well as his or her healthcare choices. Related tasks may include supervising laboratory technicians, reviewing test and experiment results to check for procedure and specification conformity, presenting numerical test data as text or charts that physicians can use to help explain results to patients, and conferring with pathologists to discuss any abnormal or unexpected findings.
In addition, all clinical laboratory technologists are responsible for setting up, calibrating, and sterilizing all medical laboratory equipment and materials on an ongoing basis.
Microbiology Technologists (078.261-014). Microbiology Technologists perform virological, bacteriological, and other tests on microorganisms.
Cytotechnologists (078.281-010). Cytotechnologists stain, mount, and study cells of the human body to diagnose the nature and extent of disease or damage.
Immunohematologists (078.221-010). Immunohematologists perform tests and recommend blood-problem solutions to doctors and serve as consultants to blood banks.
Biochemistry Technologists (078.261-010). Biochemistry Technologists analyze blood fluids and provide information in diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
Cytogenetic Technologists (078.261-026). Cytogenetic Technologists prepare, examine, and analyze chromosomes found in amniotic fluids, bone marrow, and blood to aid in diagnosis and treatment of genetic diseases.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. A clinical laboratory technologist’s environment varies by employer and job specialty. Clinical laboratory technologists spend their workdays in sterile laboratory settings located in hospitals, doctors’ offices, medical businesses, educational facilities, and independent medical laboratories. Clinical laboratory technologists are at risk for eyestrain, backache, and exposure to biohazards due to the nature of their work.
Human Environment. Clinical laboratory technologists interact daily with laboratory staff, pathologists, physicians, and patients. As they must function in a supervisory role when required, clinical laboratory technologists should be comfortable giving instructions.
Technological Environment. Clinical laboratory technologists use computers and laboratory instruments, such as microscopes and automated analyzers, for hematology and urinalysis. They should be familiar with operating the scientific equipment used to thin section tissue samples as well as equipment used to preserve and grow tissue samples, vaccines, bacteria, and viruses.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. Prospective clinical laboratory technologists should prepare themselves by developing good study habits. High-school-level study of biology, chemistry, anatomy, and mathematics will provide a strong foundation for college-level work in the field. Due to the diversity of clinical laboratory technologist responsibilities, high school students interested in this career path may benefit from internships or part-time work opportunities that expose the students to laboratory and medical settings and procedures.
Postsecondary. Postsecondary students interested in becoming clinical laboratory technologists should earn a bachelor’s degree in clinical sciences, biology, chemistry, or a related field. Classes in biology, chemistry, anatomy, statistics, mathematics, and clinical laboratory practices may prove useful in their future work. Students can gain work experience and potential advantages in their future job searches by obtaining internships or part-time employment in laboratory and medical settings.
Related Occupations
− Dental Laboratory Technician
− Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
− Electroencephalographic Technician
− Health Information Technician
− Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician
Bibliography
"Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians." Occupational Outlook Handbook. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6 Sept. 2023, www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicians.htm. Accessed 13 Sept. 2023.