| Clinical laboratory technicians are referred to as | | | | some clinical technician positions, but an aging |
| clinical laboratory scientist or medical technologist. | | | | population is creating more work for clinical labs. |
| These are also known as medical technicians. | | | | Excellent job opportunities are expected in it. |
| They are there to examine and analyze body | | | | According to a survey, it was found that clinical |
| fluids and cells. They look for bacteria, virus and | | | | laboratory technology and technicians held out |
| other microorganisms; examine the chemical | | | | jobs amounting to 3, 19,000 in 2006. |
| content of fluids and match blood for transfusion | | | | Advancement |
| and also test for the drug levels in the blood that | | | | Technicians can advance and become technologist |
| shao how a patient is responding to the | | | | by the further studies and experience. |
| treatment. They make the use of microscope | | | | Technologist may advance to the supervisory |
| cells and other sophisticated laboratory | | | | positions in the laboratory or may become chief |
| equipments. They also use automated and | | | | medical or manager in the clinical laboratory. |
| computerized instruments capable of performing | | | | Working conditions |
| number of tests simultaneously. After examining a | | | | The working conditions of the technician depend |
| specimen, they analyze the results and dispatch | | | | upon their specialty. They sit for much of a day. |
| them to physicians. | | | | Their work as compared to other similar cases is |
| Skills | | | | much in detailed. The technicians have rare and |
| Clinical lab technicians are frequently expected to | | | | minimal contact with the patients. Their tasks are |
| have knowledge in biology, chemistry and | | | | generally routine activities, but they perform a |
| medicine. They must also be good at | | | | wide range of test. They work under the |
| documentation. They must be good in vision and | | | | supervision of several people. They usually work |
| color blindness is not a good factor for them in | | | | forty hours a week. They are also required to |
| this job. They must be comfortable with the | | | | wear uniform and wear protective clothing during |
| technology and computer knowledge is must for | | | | there job. The technicians working in a hospital |
| them. | | | | may require to work sometimes on evenings or |
| Education | | | | on weekends. |
| Medical technicians generally have associates | | | | Earnings and benefits |
| degree from a junior or community college or a | | | | Clinical laboratory technicians earn a median salary |
| certificate from a hospital or technical school. | | | | of around $30,840 annually. The technicians who |
| Outlook | | | | are more experienced can get more. The other |
| There are counteracting factors here. On the one | | | | benefits are paid holidays and vacations. Some |
| hand advents in latest technology are eliminating | | | | workers also receive pension plans. |