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Faster than average jobs growth is expected as the volume of laboratory tests continues to increase with both population growth and the development of new types of tests.
A clinical laboratory technologist usually has a bachelor's degree with a major in medical technology or in one of the life sciences; a clinical laboratory technician generally needs either an associate degree or a certification.
Job opportunities are expected to be excellent.
How Much Do Clinical Laboratory Techs Make? Clinical Laboratory Tech Salary
Median annual pay of medical and clinical laboratory technologists were $53,500 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent were paid between $44,560 and $63,420. The lowest 10 percent were paid less than $36,180, and the highest 10 percent were paid more than $74,680. Median annual pay in the industries employing the largest numbers of medical and clinical laboratory technologists were:
Federal Government $59,800
Medical and diagnostic laboratories 53,360
General medical and surgical hospitals 54,220
Offices of physicians 49,080
Colleges, universities, and professional schools 447,890
Median annual pay of medical and clinical laboratory technicians were $35,380 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent were paid between $28,420 and $44,310. The lowest 10 percent were paid less than $23,480, and the highest 10 percent were paid more than $53,520. How much clinical laboratory techs make depends on many factors. Median annual pay in the industries employing the largest numbers of medical and clinical laboratory technicians were:
General medical and surgical hospitals $36,840
Colleges, universities, and professional schools 36,290
Offices of physicians 33,980
Medical and diagnostic laboratories 32,630
Other ambulatory health care services 31,320
According to the American Society for Clinical Pathology, median hourly pay of staff clinical laboratory technologists and technicians in working hospitals in 2007 were:
Cytotechnoligist $27.55
Histotechnologist 22.93
Medical technologist 23.45
Histotechnician 20.00
Medical laboratory technician 18.54
Phlebotomist 12.50
What does a Clinical Laboratory Tech do? Clinical Laboratory Tech Jobs, Job Description, and Responsibilities
Clinical laboratory testing plays a crucial role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. A clinical laboratory technologist, also referred to as a clinical laboratory scientist or medical technologist, and clinical laboratory technician, also known as a medical technician or medical laboratory technician, performs most of these tests.
Clinical laboratory personnel examine and analyze body fluids, and cells. They look for bacteria, parasites, and other microorganisms; analyze the chemical content of fluids; match blood for transfusions; and test for drug levels in the blood to show how a patient is responding to treatment. A technologist also prepares specimens for examination, counts cells, and looks for abnormal cells in blood and body fluids. They use automated equipment and computerized instruments capable of performing a number of tests simultaneously, as well as microscopes, cell counters, and other sophisticated laboratory equipment. Then they analyze the results and relay them to physicians. With increasing automation and the use of computer technology, the work of a technologist and technician has become less hands-on and more analytical.
The complexity of tests performed, the level of judgment needed, and the amount of responsibility a technologist and technician assume depend largely on the amount of education and experience they have.
A clinical laboratory technologist performs complex chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic, and bacteriological tests. A technologist microscopically examines blood and other body fluids. They make cultures of body fluid and tissue samples, to determine the presence of bacteria, fungi, parasites, or other microorganisms. A clinical laboratory technologist analyzes samples for chemical content or a chemical reaction and determines concentrations of compounds such as blood glucose and cholesterol levels. They also type and cross match blood samples for transfusions.
A clinical laboratory technologist evaluates test results, develops and modifies procedures, and establishes and monitors programs, to ensure the accuracy of tests. Some technologists supervise clinical laboratory technicians.
A technologist in small laboratory performs many types of tests, whereas those in large laboratories generally specialize. A technologist who prepares specimens and analyzes the chemical and hormonal contents of body fluids is called a clinical chemistry technologist. Those who examine and identify bacteria and other microorganisms are microbiology technologists. A blood bank technologist, or immunohematology technologist, collects, types, and prepares blood and its components for transfusions. An immunology technologist examines elements of the human immune system and its response to foreign bodies. A cytotechnologist prepares slides of body cells and examines these cells microscopically for abnormalities that may signal the beginning of a cancerous growth. A molecular biology technologist performs complex protein and nucleic acid testing on cell samples.
A clinical laboratory technician performs less complex tests and laboratory procedures than a technologist performs. A technician may prepare specimens and operate automated analyzers, for example, or they may perform manual tests in accordance with detailed instructions. Like technologists, they may work in several areas of the clinical laboratory or specialize in just one. A histotechnicians cuts and stains tissue specimens for microscopic examination by pathologists, and phlebotomists collect blood samples. They usually work under the supervision of medical and clinical laboratory technologists or laboratory managers.
Job Working Conditions for Clinical Laboratory Techs
Hours and other working conditions of a clinical laboratory technologist and technician vary with the size and type of job setting. In large hospitals or in independent laboratories that operate continuously, a clinical laboratory technologist and technician usually works the day, evening, or night shift and may work weekends and holidays. Laboratory personnel in small facilities may work on rotating shifts, rather than on a regular shift. In some facilities, laboratory personnel are on call several nights a week or on weekends, in case of an emergency.
Clinical laboratory personnel are trained to work with infectious specimens. When proper methods of infection control and sterilization are followed, few hazards exist. Protective masks, gloves, and goggles are often necessary to ensure the safety of laboratory personnel.
Laboratories usually are well lighted and clean; however, specimens, solutions, and reagents used in the laboratory sometimes produce fumes. Laboratory specialists may spend a great deal of time on their feet.
Clinical Laboratory Tech Training, College Programs, and Advancement
The usual requirement for an entry-level job as a clinical laboratory technologist is a bachelor's degree with a major in medical technology or in one of the life sciences; although it is possible to qualify through a combination of education, on-the-job, and specialized training. Universities and hospitals offer medical technology programs.
The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) fully accredits 469 programs for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist, medical and clinical laboratory technician, histotechnologist and histotechnician, cytogenetic technologist, and diagnostic molecular scientist. NAACLS also approves 57 programs in phlebotomy and clinical assisting. Other nationally recognized accrediting agencies that accredit specific areas for clinical laboratory specialists include the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.
A clinical laboratory technician and technologist needs good analytical judgment and the ability to work under pressure. Close attention to detail is essential, because small differences or changes in test substances or numerical readouts can be crucial for patient care. Manual dexterity and normal color vision are highly desirable. With the widespread use of automated laboratory equipment, computer skills are important. In addition, technologists in particular are expected to be good at problem solving.
Where are the Jobs? Clinical Laboratory Tech Jobs
Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians held about 302,000 jobs in 2004. More than half of jobs were in hospitals. Most of the remaining jobs were in offices of physicians and in medical and diagnostic laboratories. A small proportion was in educational services and in all other ambulatory health care services.
Job Outlook and Job Opportunities for Clinical Laboratory Techs
Technological advances will continue to have two opposing effects on jobs. On the one hand, new, increasingly powerful diagnostic tests will encourage additional testing and spur jobs. On the other hand, research and development efforts targeted at simplifying routine testing procedures may enhance the ability of nonlaboratory personnel—physicians and patients in particular—to perform tests now conducted in laboratories. Although hospitals are expected to continue to be the major employer of clinical laboratory specialists, jobs are expected to grow faster in medical and diagnostic laboratories, offices of physicians, and all other ambulatory health care services.
Although significant, job growth will not be the only source of opportunities. As in most careers, many openings will result from the need to replace specialists who transfer to other careers, retire, or stop working for some other reason.
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Job opportunities are expected to be excellent, because the number of job openings is expected to continue to exceed the number of job seekers. Jobs for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians are expected to grow faster than average for all careers through the year 2014, as the volume of laboratory tests continues to increase with both population growth and the development of new types of tests.
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A medical and clinical laboratory technician generally has either an associate degree from a community or junior college or a certification from a hospital, a vocational or technical school, or one of the U.S. Armed Forces. A few technicians learn their skills on the job.
Bachelor's degree programs in medical technology include courses in chemistry, biological sciences, microbiology, mathematics, and statistics, as well as specialized courses devoted to knowledge and skills used in the clinical laboratory. Many programs also offer or require courses in management, business, and computer applications. The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act requires a technologist who performs highly complex tests to have at least an associate degree.
Job opportunities are expected to be excellent, because the number of job openings is expected to continue to exceed the number of job seekers. Jobs for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians are expected to grow faster than average for all careers through the year 2014, as the volume of laboratory tests continues to increase with both population growth and the development of new types of tests.
