What You'll Do

  • 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.
  • Operate, calibrate, or maintain equipment used in quantitative or qualitative analysis, such as spectrophotometers, calorimeters, flame photometers, or computer-controlled analyzers.
  • Enter data from analysis of medical tests or clinical results into computer for storage.
  • Analyze samples of biological material for chemical content or reaction.
  • Set up, clean, and maintain laboratory equipment.
  • Provide technical information about test results to physicians, family members, or researchers.
  • Supervise, train, or direct lab assistants, medical and clinical laboratory technicians or technologists, or other medical laboratory workers engaged in laboratory testing.
  • Develop, standardize, evaluate, or modify procedures, techniques, or tests used in the analysis of specimens or in medical laboratory experiments.
  • Cultivate, isolate, or assist in identifying microbial organisms or perform various tests on these microorganisms.

Essential Skills

Science 4.0/5
Critical Thinking 4.0/5
Active Listening 3.88/5
Reading Comprehension 3.75/5
Quality Control Analysis 3.75/5
Operations Monitoring 3.62/5
Monitoring 3.5/5
Active Learning 3.38/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.38/5
Operation and Control 3.38/5
Time Management 3.38/5
Writing 3.12/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.
  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.

Common styles

Integrity, Attention to Detail, Initiative, Analytical Thinking, Concern for Others

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Inductive Reasoning 4.25/5
Near Vision 4.25/5
Written Comprehension 4.12/5
Problem Sensitivity 4.12/5
Information Ordering 4.12/5
Oral Comprehension 4.0/5
Deductive Reasoning 4.0/5
Category Flexibility 3.88/5

Technologies & Tools

Commercial plate reader software Database software eClinicalWorks EHR software Electronic medical record EMR software Email software FileMaker Pro Hematology laboratory workflow management software Laboratory information system LIS Medical digital imaging software Medical procedure coding software Medical software Medical system integration software MEDITECH software Microscopic image capturing software Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Project Microsoft Word Quality control software

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Integrity (High importance: 4.69/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.68/5)
  • Initiative (High importance: 4.4/5)
  • Analytical Thinking (High importance: 4.36/5)
  • Concern for Others (High importance: 4.3/5)

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How to Become One

Most employers require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Some positions may also require experience through internships, co-ops, or entry-level work to strengthen your candidacy.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Biochemistry Technologist Blood Bank Laboratory Technologist Blood Bank Medical Technologist Blood Bank Technologist Cath Lab Technologist (Catheterization Laboratory Technologist) Chemistry Technologist Clinical Chemist Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) Clinical Laboratory Technologist Clinical Research Associate Clinical Researcher Differential Specialist Hematology Technologist Histologist Technologist Histotechnologist Immunohematologist Lab Specialist (Laboratory Specialist) Lab Tech (Laboratory Technologist) Medical Lab Technologist (Medical Laboratory Technologist) Medical Numerical Control Operator Medical Technologist (MT) Microbiology Medical Technologist Microbiology Technologist (MT) MLS (Medical Laboratory Scientist) Pathology Laboratory Technologist (Pathology Lab Technologist) Research Technologist Technologist Tissue Technologist Travel Interventional Radiology Technologist Travel Medical Technologist