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