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Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technician

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What Do Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technician Do?

Example of Medical & Clinical Laboratory Technician Job Perform routine medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May work under the supervision of a medical technologist.

List of Medical & Clinical Laboratory Technician Job Duties

  • Conduct chemical analyses of body fluids, such as blood or urine, using microscope or automatic analyzer to detect abnormalities or diseases and enter findings into computer.
  • Test raw materials, processes, or finished products to determine quality or quantity of materials or characteristics of a substance.
  • Collect blood or tissue samples from patients, observing principles of asepsis to obtain blood sample.
  • Examine cells stained with dye to locate abnormalities.
  • Analyze the results of tests or experiments to ensure conformity to specifications, using special mechanical or electrical devices.
  • Prepare standard volumetric solutions or reagents to be combined with samples, following standardized formulas or experimental procedures.

What a Medical & Clinical Laboratory Technician Should Know

When polled, Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

  • Pathologist Assistant
  • Microbiology Technician
  • Blood Typer
  • Biotechnician
  • Histotechnician

Job Demand for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians

In the United States, there were 164,200 jobs for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technician in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 14% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 23,000 new jobs for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technician by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 12,900 job openings in this field each year.

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The states with the most job growth for Medical & Clinical Laboratory Technician are Utah, Arizona, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Connecticut, or Mississippi. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

What Tools & Technology do Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Email software
  • Word processing software
  • SAP
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Database software
  • IBM Notes
  • Google Docs
  • FileMaker Pro
  • MEDITECH software
  • Minitab
  • National Instruments LabVIEW
  • Electronic medical record EMR software
  • Billing software
  • Laboratory information system LIS
  • Medical software
  • Microscopic image capturing software

How do I Become a Medical & Clinical Laboratory Technician?

Learn what Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technician education requirements there are.

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Career changers with experience as a Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technician sometimes find work in one of the following fields:

References:

Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla via U.S. Air Force photo

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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