Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
Overview
Demand
Core Tasks
Technology Skills
Tools Used
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Top 10 Skills
Top 10 Abilities
Top 10 Work Activities
Detailed Work Activities
Work Context
Education
Majors
Interests
Top 10 Work Styles
Work Values
Related Careers
Overview
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Education
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Examples
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, chemists, art directors, and cost estimators.
Perform complex medical laboratory tests for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May train or supervise staff.
Demand
Core Tasks
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.
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.
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.
Establish or monitor quality assurance programs or activities to ensure the accuracy of laboratory results.
Analyze samples of biological material for chemical content or reaction.
Harvest cell cultures at optimum time, based on knowledge of cell cycle differences and culture conditions.
Set up, clean, and maintain laboratory equipment.
Provide technical information about test results to physicians, family members, or researchers.
Select and prepare specimens and media for cell cultures, using aseptic technique and knowledge of medium components and cell requirements.
Obtain, cut, stain, and mount biological material on slides for microscopic study and diagnosis, following standard laboratory procedures.
Cultivate, isolate, or assist in identifying microbial organisms or perform various tests on these microorganisms.
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.
Conduct medical research under direction of microbiologist or biochemist.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Biology
79%
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Medicine and Dentistry
79%
Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Customer and Personal Service
78%
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Chemistry
76%
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
English Language
76%
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mechanical
66%
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Mathematics
64%
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Clerical
61%
Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Education and Training
60%
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Computers and Electronics
58%
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Top 10 Skills
Active Listening
75%
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
75%
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension
75%
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Science
73%
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Operations Monitoring
68%
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Active Learning
65%
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Complex Problem Solving
65%
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Monitoring
65%
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Quality Control Analysis
65%
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Speaking
65%
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Top 10 Abilities
Near Vision
80%
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Written Comprehension
80%
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Inductive Reasoning
78%
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Oral Comprehension
78%
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Deductive Reasoning
75%
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Information Ordering
73%
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Problem Sensitivity
73%
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Category Flexibility
70%
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Oral Expression
68%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Arm-Hand Steadiness
65%
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Top 10 Work Activities
Documenting/Recording Information
91%
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Getting Information
89%
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Interacting With Computers
88%
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
87%
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
86%
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Analyzing Data or Information
85%
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
84%
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Processing Information
84%
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
84%
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
83%
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Detailed Work Activities
Analyze laboratory specimens to detect abnormalities or other problems.
Analyze laboratory findings.
Operate laboratory equipment to analyze medical samples.
Maintain medical laboratory equipment.
Collect biological specimens from patients.
Enter patient or treatment data into computers.
Develop healthcare quality and safety procedures.
Clean medical equipment or facilities.
Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use.
Communicate detailed medical information to patients or family members.
Communicate test or assessment results to medical professionals.
Cultivate micro-organisms for study, testing, or medical preparations.
Prepare biological specimens for laboratory analysis.
Train medical providers.
Supervise technical medical personnel.
Determine protocols for medical procedures.
Conduct research to increase knowledge about medical issues.
Work Context
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
Exposed to Disease or Infections
How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?
Frequency of Decision Making
How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
Time Pressure
How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
Electronic Mail
How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
Education
Majors
Major
Interests
Investigative
100%
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Realistic
81%
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional
67%
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Enterprising
39%
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Social
29%
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Artistic
24%
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Top 10 Work Styles
Attention to Detail
98%
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability
94%
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Integrity
93%
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Analytical Thinking
92%
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Cooperation
87%
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Stress Tolerance
87%
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Adaptability/Flexibility
85%
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Concern for Others
85%
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Self Control
85%
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Initiative
81%
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Work Values
Support
81%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence
67%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Achievement
62%
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Relationships
62%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Working Conditions
55%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Recognition
53%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
