Healthcare Practitioners
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
Also called: Clinical Chemist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS), Clinical Laboratory Technologist, Histologist Technologist
US median pay
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not published
Job growth 2025–35
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Openings a year (US)
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Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
Perform complex medical laboratory tests for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May train or supervise staff.
What they do day to day
- Analyze samples of biological material for chemical content or reaction.
- Analyze laboratory findings to check the accuracy of the results.
- Conduct chemical analysis of body fluids, including blood, urine, or spinal fluid, to determine presence of normal or abnormal components.
- Enter data from analysis of medical tests or clinical results into computer for storage.
- 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.
- Set up, clean, and maintain laboratory equipment.
- Operate, calibrate, or maintain equipment used in quantitative or qualitative analysis, such as spectrophotometers, calorimeters, flame photometers, or computer-controlled analyzers.
- Establish or monitor quality assurance programs or activities to ensure the accuracy of laboratory results.
- Supervise, train, or direct lab assistants, medical and clinical laboratory technicians or technologists, or other medical laboratory workers engaged in laboratory testing.
- Select and prepare specimens and media for cell cultures, using aseptic technique and knowledge of medium components and cell requirements.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Quality Control Analysis3.8/5
- Operations Monitoring3.6/5
- Time Management3.4/5
- Operation and Control3.4/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.4/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Instructing3.1/5
- Troubleshooting3.0/5
Knowledge
- Chemistry4.2/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.2/5
- Computers and Electronics4.1/5
- English Language4.0/5
- Biology3.9/5
- Mathematics3.9/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree52%
- Associate's degree32%
- Post-baccalaureate certificate14%
Who this job suits
Mostly Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.