Overview – Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment – Career Path Forecast – Resources

Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

Overview:Clinical laboratory testing plays a crucial role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Clinical Laboratory Technologists and TechClinical laboratory personnel examine and analyze body fluids, and cells. They look for bacteria and parasites; 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.

Overview – Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment – Career Path Forecast – Resources

Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

Overview (continued):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.

Overview – Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment – Career Path Forecast – Resources

Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

Overview (continued):With increasing automation and the use of computer technology, the work of technologists and technicians has become less hands-on and more analytical. The complexity of tests performed, the level of judgment needed, and the amount of responsibility workers assume depend largely on the amount of education and experience they have. Clinical laboratory technologists usually do more complex tasks than clinical laboratory technicians do.

Overview – Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment – Career Path Forecast – Resources

Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.

Preparation: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.Medical and clinical laboratory technicians generally have either an associate degree or a certificate.

Overview – Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment – Career Path Forecast – Resources

Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

Preparation (continued):The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) accredits about 470 programs for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, medical and clinical laboratory technicians, histotechnologists and histotechnicians, cytogenetic technologists, and diagnostic molecular scientists. They also approve about programs in phlebotomy and clinical assisting. A list of programs is available on the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.

Overview – Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment – Career Path Forecast – Resources

Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

Day in the Life:Clinical laboratory personnel are trained to work with infectious specimens. When proper methods of infection control and sterilization are followed, few hazards exist. Protective masks, gloves, and goggles often are necessary to ensure the safety of laboratory personnel.Working conditions vary with the size and type of employment setting. Laboratories usually are well lighted and clean. Laboratory workers may spend a great deal of time on their feet.  

Overview – Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment – Career Path Forecast – Resources

Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

Day in the Life (continued):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.

Overview – Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment – Career Path Forecast – Resources

Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

Earnings:Median annual wage-and-salary earnings of medical and clinical laboratory technologists are about $53,500. The middle 50 percent earned between $44,560 and $63,420. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $36,180, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $74,680. Median annual wage-and-salary earnings of medical and clinical laboratory technicians are about $35,380. The middle 50 percent earned between $28,420 and $44,310. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,480, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $53,520.

Overview – Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment – Career Path Forecast – Resources

Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

Employment:Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians hold about 328,100 jobs in the United States. More than half of jobs were in hospitals. Most of the remaining jobs were in offices of physicians and in medical and diagnostic laboratories. A small proportion was in educational services and in all other ambulatory health care services.

Overview – Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment – Career Path Forecast – Resources

Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

Career Path Forecast:Employment of clinical laboratory workers is expected to grow by 14 percent between 2008 and 2018, faster than the average for all occupations. The volume of laboratory tests continues to increase with both population growth and the development of new types of tests. Although hospitals are expected to continue to be the major employer of clinical laboratory workers, employment is expected also to grow rapidly in medical and diagnostic laboratories, offices of physicians, and all other ambulatory healthcare services.

Overview – Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment – Career Path Forecast – Resources

Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

Resources:More information about Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians is available at the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center, including accredited university programs, suggestions for precollege students, a free monthly careers newsletter, and a PDF summarizing the field.

Associations: American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science American Society for CytopathologyClinical Laboratory Management AssociationNational Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory SciencesOverview – Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment – Career Path Forecast – Resources

Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians