What do medical and clinical laboratory technicians do?
Perform routine medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May work under the supervision of a medical technologist.
This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.
Job titles to recognize in your search
O*NET reports these titles for this occupation. Compare the responsibilities in each posting before treating titles as equivalent.
- Clinical Lab Tech (Clinical Laboratory Technician)
- Lab Assistant (Laboratory Assistant)
- Lab Associate (Laboratory Associate)
- Lab Tech (Laboratory Technician)
- Medical Lab Assistant (Medical Laboratory Assistant)
- Medical Technician (Medical Tech)
- Microbiology MLT (Microbiology Medical Laboratory Technician)
- MLT (Medical Laboratory Technician)
Core tasks to compare with a job posting
- Perform quality control analyses to ensure accuracy of test results.
- Conduct blood tests for transfusion purposes and perform blood counts.
- 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.
- Analyze the results of tests or experiments to ensure conformity to specifications, using special mechanical or electrical devices.
- Set up, maintain, calibrate, clean, and test sterility of medical laboratory equipment.
- Examine cells stained with dye to locate abnormalities.
- Prepare standard volumetric solutions or reagents to be combined with samples, following standardized formulas or experimental procedures.
- Supervise or instruct other technicians or laboratory assistants.
- Consult with a pathologist to determine a final diagnosis when abnormal cells are found.
Prepare an application for this occupation
- Check the employer’s requirements, location, schedule and any licenses against your situation.
- Choose two or three tasks above that match the posting and your actual experience.
- Build a resume evidence worksheet using the skills and software relevant to that employer.
- Practice explaining your contribution, decisions and results before an interview.
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