Clinical laboratory testing plays a crucial role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Clinical laboratory technologists, also referred to as clinical laboratory scientists or medical technologists, and clinical laboratory technicians, also known as medical technicians or medical laboratory technicians, perform most of these tests.
Related job titles are: Medical Technologist (MT), Medical Laboratory Technologist (Medical Lab Tech, Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT), Medical Laboratory Technician (Medical Lab Tech), Laboratory Assistant (Lab Assistant), Laboratory Technician, Phlebotomist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Laboratory Supervisor, Non-Registered Technician, Laboratory Associate (Lab Associate), Toxicology Laboratory Technician, or Dental Laboratory Technician (DLT).
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Important Laboratory Technician Degree Information -Top of Page-
- Excellent job opportunities are expected.
- Clinical laboratory technologists usually have a bachelor's degree with a major in medical technology or in one of the life sciences; clinical laboratory technicians generally need either an associate degree or a certificate.
- Most jobs will continue to be in hospitals, but employment will grow rapidly in other settings, as well.
How much does a Laboratory Technician make in Salary? || Laboratory Technician Pay -Top of Page-
Median annual wages of medical and clinical laboratory technologists were $53,500 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned a salary of between $44,560 and $63,420. The lowest 10 percent earned a salary of less than $36,180, and the highest 10 percent earned a salary of more than $74,680.
Median annual wages of medical and clinical laboratory technicians were $35,380 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned a salary of between $28,420 and $44,310. The lowest 10 percent earned a salary of less than $23,480, and the highest 10 percent earned a salary of more than $53,520.
What is a Laboratory Technician? || What does a Laboratory Technician do? || Job Descriptions -Top of Page-
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 that show how a patient is responding to treatment. Technologists also prepare specimens for examination, count cells, and look for abnormal cells in blood and body fluids. They use microscopes, cell counters, and other sophisticated laboratory equipment. They also use automated equipment and computerized instruments capable of performing a number of tests simultaneously. After testing and examining a specimen, they analyze the results and relay them to physicians.
Clinical laboratory technologists perform complex chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic, and bacteriological tests. Technologists microscopically examine 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. Technologists analyze samples for chemical content or a chemical reaction and determine concentrations of compounds such as blood glucose and cholesterol levels. They also type and cross match blood samples for transfusions.
Clinical laboratory technicians perform less complex tests and laboratory procedures than technologists do. Technicians may prepare specimens and operate automated analyzers, for example, or they may perform manual tests in accordance with detailed instructions. They usually work under the supervision of medical and clinical laboratory technologists or laboratory managers. Like technologists, clinical laboratory technicians may work in several areas of the clinical laboratory or specialize in just one.
Working Conditions for Laboratory Technicians -Top of Page-
Hours of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians vary with the size and type of employment setting. In large hospitals or in independent laboratories that operate continuously, personnel usually work 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.
How to become a Laboratory Technician || Laboratory Technician Classes and Degree Programs -Top of Page-
Clinical laboratory technologists generally require a bachelor's degree in medical technology or in one of the life sciences; clinical laboratory technicians usually need an associate degree or a certificate.
The usual requirement for an entry-level position as a clinical laboratory technologist is a bachelor's degree with a major in medical technology or one of the life sciences; however, it is possible to qualify for some jobs with a combination of education and on-the-job and specialized training. Universities and hospitals offer medical technology programs.
Bachelor's degree programs in medical technology include classes in chemistry, biological sciences, microbiology, mathematics, and statistics, as well as specialized classes devoted to knowledge and skills used in the clinical laboratory. Many programs also offer or require classes in management, business, and computer applications. The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act requires technologists who perform highly complex tests to have at least an associate degree.
Medical and clinical laboratory technicians generally have either an associate degree from a community or junior college or a certificate from a hospital, a vocational or technical school, or the Armed Forces.
Technicians can advance and become technologists through additional education and experience. Technologists may advance to supervisory positions in laboratory work or may become chief medical or clinical laboratory technologists or laboratory managers in hospitals.
Where are the Laboratory Technician Jobs? -Top of Page-
Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians held about 328,100 jobs in 2008. More than half of jobs were in hospitals. Most of the remaining jobs were in offices of physicians and in medical and diagnostic laboratories.
Laboratory Technician Job Opportunities and Outlook -Top of Page-
Rapid job growth and excellent job opportunities are expected. Most jobs will continue to be in hospitals, but employment will grow rapidly in other settings, as well. Job opportunities are expected to be excellent because the number of job openings is expected to continue to exceed the number of jobseekers. Although significant, job growth will not be the only source of opportunities. As in most occupations, many additional openings will result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations, retire, or stop working for some other reason.