Clinical laboratory technologists usually have a bachelor’s
degree with a major in medical technology or in one of the life
sciences; clinical laboratory technicians generally need either an
associate degree or a certificate.
Average employment growth is expected as the volume of
laboratory tests increases with both population growth and the
development of new types of tests.
Clinical laboratory testing plays a crucial role in the detection,
diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Clinical laboratory technologists,
also referred to as clinical laboratory scientists or medical
technologists, and clinical laboratory technicians, also known as
medical technicians or medical laboratory technicians, perform most of
these tests.
Clinical laboratory personnel examine and analyze body fluids,
tissues, and cells. They look for bacteria, parasites, and other
microorganisms; analyze the chemical content of fluids; match blood for
transfusions; and test for drug levels in the blood to show how a
patient is responding to treatment. These technologists also prepare
specimens for examination, count cells, and look for abnormal cells.
They use automated equipment and instruments capable of performing a
number of tests simultaneously, as well as microscopes, cell counters,
and other sophisticated laboratory equipment. Then they analyze the
results and relay them to physicians. 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 generally have a
bachelor’s degree in medical technology or in one of the life
sciences, or they have a combination of formal training and work
experience. They perform complex chemical, biological, hematological,
immunologic, microscopic, and bacteriological tests. Technologists
microscopically examine blood, tissue, and other body substances. They
make cultures of body fluid and tissue samples, to determine the
presence of bacteria, fungi, parasites, or other microorganisms.
Clinical laboratory technologists analyze samples for chemical content
or a chemical reaction and determine blood glucose and cholesterol
levels. They also type and cross match blood samples for transfusions.
Clinical laboratory technologists evaluate test results, develop and
modify procedures, and establish and monitor programs, to ensure the
accuracy of tests. Some clinical laboratory technologists supervise
clinical laboratory technicians.
Technologists in small laboratories perform many types of tests,
whereas those in large laboratories generally specialize. Technologists
who prepare specimens and analyze the chemical and hormonal contents of
body fluids are called clinical chemistry technologists. Those who
examine and identify bacteria and other microorganisms are microbiology
technologists. Blood bank technologists, or immunohematology
technologists, collect, type, and prepare blood and its components for
transfusions. Immunology technologists examine elements of the human
immune system and its response to foreign bodies. Cytotechnologists
prepare slides of body cells and examine these cells microscopically for
abnormalities that may signal the beginning of a cancerous growth.
Molecular biology technologists perform complex protein and nucleic acid
testing on cell samples.
Clinical laboratory technicians perform less complex tests
and laboratory procedures than technologists perform. Technicians may
prepare specimens and operate automated analyzers, for example, or they
may perform manual tests in accordance with detailed instructions. Like
technologists, they may work in several areas of the clinical laboratory
or specialize in just one. Histotechnicians cut and stain tissue
specimens for microscopic examination by pathologists, and phlebotomists
collect blood samples. They usually work under the supervision of
medical and clinical laboratory technologists or laboratory managers.
Hours and other working conditions 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.
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
are often necessary to ensure the safety of laboratory personnel.
Laboratories usually are well lighted and clean; however, specimens,
solutions, and reagents used in the laboratory sometimes produce fumes.
Laboratory workers may spend a great deal of time on their feet.
Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians held about 297,000
jobs in 2002. 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;
other ambulatory healthcare services, including blood and organ banks;
outpatient care centers; and scientific research and development
services.
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 in one of the life sciences; although it is possible to
qualify through a combination of education, on-the-job, and specialized
training. Universities and hospitals offer medical technology programs.
Bachelor’s degree programs in medical technology include courses
in chemistry, biological sciences, microbiology, mathematics, and
statistics, as well as specialized courses devoted to knowledge and
skills used in the clinical laboratory. Many programs also offer or
require courses in management, business, and computer applications. The
Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act requires technologists who perform
highly complex tests to have at least an associate degree.
Medical and clinical laboratory technicians generally have either an
associate degree from a community or junior college or a certificate
from a hospital, a vocational or technical school, or one of the U.S.
Armed Forces. A few technicians learn their skills on the job.
The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
fully accredits 467 programs for medical and clinical laboratory
technologists, medical and clinical laboratory technicians,
histotechnologists and histotechnicians, cytogenetic technologists, and
diagnostic molecular scientists. NAACLS also approves 57 programs in
phlebotomy and clinical assisting. Other nationally recognized
accrediting agencies that accredit specific areas for clinical
laboratory workers include the Commission on Accreditation of Allied
Health Education Programs and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education
Schools.
Some States require laboratory personnel to be licensed or
registered. Information on licensure is available from State departments
of health or boards of occupational licensing. Certification is a
voluntary process by which a nongovernmental organization, such as a
professional society or certifying agency, grants recognition to an
individual whose professional competence meets prescribed standards.
Widely accepted by employers in the health industry, certification is a
prerequisite for most jobs and often is necessary for advancement.
Agencies certifying medical and clinical laboratory technologists and
technicians include the Board of Registry of the American Society for
Clinical Pathology, the American Medical Technologists, the National
Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel, and the Board of Registry
of the American Association of Bioanalysts. These agencies have
different requirements for certification and different organizational
sponsors.
Clinical laboratory personnel need good analytical judgment and the
ability to work under pressure. Close attention to detail is essential,
because small differences or changes in test substances or numerical
readouts can be crucial for patient care. Manual dexterity and normal
color vision are highly desirable. With the widespread use of automated
laboratory equipment, computer skills are important. In addition,
technologists in particular are expected to be good at problem solving.
Technologists may advance to supervisory positions in laboratory
work or may become chief medical or clinical laboratory technologists or
laboratory managers in hospitals. Manufacturers of home diagnostic
testing kits and laboratory equipment and supplies seek experienced
technologists to work in product development, marketing, and sales. A
graduate degree in medical technology, one of the biological sciences,
chemistry, management, or education usually speeds advancement. A
doctorate is needed to become a laboratory director; however, Federal
regulation allows directors of moderately complex laboratories to have
either a master’s degree or a bachelor’s degree, combined with the
appropriate amount of training and experience. Technicians can become
technologists through additional education and experience.
Job opportunities are expected to be excellent, because the number
of job openings is expected to continue to exceed the number of job
seekers. Employment of clinical laboratory workers is expected to grow
about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year
2012, as the volume of laboratory tests increases with both population
growth and the development of new types of tests.
Technological advances will continue to have two opposing effects on
employment through 2012. On the one hand, new, increasingly powerful
diagnostic tests will encourage additional testing and spur employment.
On the other hand, research and development efforts targeted at
simplifying routine testing procedures may enhance the ability of
nonlaboratory personnel—physicians and patients in particular—to
perform tests now conducted in laboratories. Although hospitals are
expected to continue to be the major employer of clinical laboratory
workers, employment is expected to grow faster in medical and diagnostic
laboratories, offices of physicians, and other ambulatory health care
services, including blood and organ banks.
Although significant, job growth will not be the only source of
opportunities. As in most occupations, many openings will result from
the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations, retire,
or stop working for some other reason.
Median annual earnings of medical and clinical laboratory
technologists were $42,910 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between
$36,400 and $50,820. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $30,530, and
the highest 10 percent earned more than $58,000. Median annual earnings
in the industries employing the largest numbers of medical and clinical
laboratory technologists in 2002 were as follows:
General medical and surgical hospitals
$43,340
Medical and diagnostic laboratories
42,020
Offices of physicians
38,690
Median annual earnings of medical and clinical laboratory
technicians were $29,040 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between
$23,310 and $35,840. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $19,070, and
the highest 10 percent earned more than $43,960. Median annual earnings
in the industries employing the largest numbers of medical and clinical
laboratory technicians in 2002 were as follows:
General medical and surgical hospitals
$30,500
Colleges, universities, and professional schools
30,350
Offices of physicians
27,820
Medical and diagnostic laboratories
27,550
Other ambulatory health care services
26,710
According to the American Society for Clinical Pathology, median
annual wages of staff clinical laboratory technologists and technicians
in 2002 varied by specialty as follows:
Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics,
U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook,
2004-05 Edition,
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians
, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/
ocos096.htm
(visited January 27, 2005).
