Clinical Laboratory Specialists include both Clinical Laboratory Technicians and Clinical Technologists. These professions are also referred to as Medical Laboratory Technicians or Medical Technologists. Both technicians and technologists perform laboratory work to identify, diagnose, and treat diseases.
Clinical laboratory technicians use microscopes, laboratory equipment, chemicals and computers to perform laboratory procedures. They also collect blood specimens and prepare culture media. They conduct tests and prepare reports for clinical technologists or physicians.
Clinical technologists perform more complex laboratory tests and procedures than technicians. They also supervise technicians, confirm their tests, and manage laboratory quality control programs. Most clinical laboratory specialists work in hospitals, but they are also employed by private practices, medical groups, research laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, and universities.
Laboratory Technician Career Spotlight
Average Salary*
$20,000 - $28,000
Educational Requirements*
Students need a high school diploma or an equivalent. An associate's degree in the field or completion of a specialized in-house training program is required to become a clinical laboratory technician. A bachelor's degree in the field is normally required to become a clinical technologist, however some employers accept an associate's degree and extensive clinical experience as a substitute. Many technologists pursue additional graduate education or specialized training to advance their careers in clinical chemistry, blood banking, and microbiology.
Associated Affiliations
American Medical Technologists - 710 Higgins Road, Park Ridge, IL 60068-5765 (847) 823-5169
American Society for Medical Technology - 2021 L Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 385-3311
