In the hospital, I start each shift receiving a hand-off of information from the scientist who is leaving. I will then perform Quality Control specimens for various tests, instrument maintenance if needed, and take over the testing bench. The rest of the shift is resulting tests, calling critical results, and keeping the pending tests list updated. The lab is split into 'benches' and each MLS will work one bench per shift. Benches in our lab are hematology, urinalysis, chemistry, and blood bank.
CAREER
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$54,180
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+7.3% (as fast as the average)
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists Do
Perform complex medical laboratory tests for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May train or supervise staff.
Other Job Titles Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists May Have
Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS), Clinical Laboratory Technologist, Histologist Technologist, Medical Laboratory Technologist (Medical Lab Tech), Medical Technologist (MT), Microbiology Technologist
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Conduct chemical analysis of body fluids, including blood, urine, or spinal fluid, to determine presence of normal or abnormal components.
- Analyze laboratory findings to check the accuracy of the results.
- Operate, calibrate, or maintain equipment used in quantitative or qualitative analysis, such as spectrophotometers, calorimeters, flame photometers, or computer-controlled analyzers.
- 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.
- Enter data from analysis of medical tests or clinical results into computer for storage.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Bachelor's Degree (59%)
Bachelor's Degree
Associate's Degree
Master's Degree
Other*
*All other responses combined for clarity.
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
Bachelor
Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technol...
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
