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Medical & Clinical Laboratory Technicians

Also called: Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT), Medical Laboratory Technician (Medical Lab Tech), Laboratory Assistant (Lab Assistant), Laboratory Technician

What they do:
Perform routine medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May work under the supervision of a medical technologist.
On the job, you would:
  • 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.
  • Conduct blood tests for transfusion purposes and perform blood counts.
  • Examine cells stained with dye to locate abnormalities.

Knowledge

Math and Science
  • chemistry
  • biology
Health
  • medicine and dentistry
Engineering and Technology
  • computers and electronics
  • mechanical
Business
  • customer service

Skills

Basic Skills
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • reading work related information
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Verbal
  • listen and understand what people say
  • communicate by speaking
Hand and Finger Use
  • put together small parts with your fingers
  • hold or move items with your hands
Ideas and Logic
  • notice when problems happen
  • order or arrange things
Attention
  • pay attention to something without being distracted

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include
practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Attention to Detail
  • Integrity
  • Dependability
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Concern for Others
  • Self Control

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Medical software
  • Electronic medical record EMR software
  • Laboratory information system LIS software
Spreadsheet software
Electronic mail software
  • Email software

Education

Education: (rated 3 of 5)
associate's degree or
bachelor's degree
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training Find Certifications Registered Apprenticeship

Job Outlook

Average Outlook
New job opportunities are likely in the future.
Salary
$36,950
per year, on average
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about medical and clinical laboratory technicians.