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Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists

The occupation Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists covers people who perform complex medical laboratory tests for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. O*NET rates it as considerable preparation, which usually means a bachelor’s degree plus a period of work experience. It leans on science, critical thinking, and active listening. The job can ask you to analyze samples of biological material for chemical content or reaction. Its interest code is IRC. Investigative leads at 6.2 out of 7, so expect research, analysis and working through hard problems, with Realistic next at 5.8. Expect to analyze laboratory findings to check the accuracy of the results. It tends to suit people who want research, analysis and working through hard problems, and it offers little for anyone seeking creative work with room for original expression.

What they do

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

Main tasks

  • 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.

Skills

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

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You enjoy working out why something happens, not just what happened.
  • You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
  • You are ready to spend around four years on a degree, then build experience.
  • You are comfortable relying on science and critical thinking.

May not suit you if

  • You lose interest when a job asks for long stretches of analysis.
  • You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.1 out of 7 here.
  • You want to avoid a four-year degree or its equivalent.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code IRC takes the three highest, and Investigative comes first here.

Preparation

Considerable preparation. Most jobs here ask for a bachelor’s degree, and employers usually expect a few years of related experience as well.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Clinical Chemist
  • Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS)
  • Clinical Laboratory Technologist
  • Histologist Technologist
  • Lab Tech (Laboratory Technologist)

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.