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Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists

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

What you’d do

  • 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.

Skills that matter

  • Critical Thinking
  • Science
  • Active Listening
  • Quality Control Analysis
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Operations Monitoring

How to get there

Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree

Also called

  • Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS)
  • Clinical Laboratory Technologist
  • Medical Lab Technologist (Medical Laboratory Technologist)
  • Medical Technologist (MT)
  • Clinical Chemist
  • Histologist Technologist

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