Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians

Also called: Biotechnician, Blood and Plasma Laboratory Assistant, Blood Bank Laboratory Technician, Blood or Blood Bank Technician, Blood Typer

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians

Varies

estimated salary

Medical and clinical laboratory technicians perform routine medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May work under the supervision of a medical technologist.

  • 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.
  • Prepare standard volumetric solutions or reagents to be combined with samples, following standardized formulas or experimental procedures.
  • Collect blood or tissue samples from patients, observing principles of asepsis to obtain blood sample.
  • Supervise or instruct other technicians or laboratory assistants.
  • Conduct blood tests for transfusion purposes and perform blood counts.
  • Inoculate fertilized eggs, broths, or other bacteriological media with organisms.
  • Obtain specimens, cultivating, isolating, and identifying microorganisms for analysis.
  • Examine cells stained with dye to locate abnormalities.
  • Consult with a pathologist to determine a final diagnosis when abnormal cells are found.
  • Cut, stain, and mount tissue samples for examination by pathologists.
  • Perform medical research to further control or cure disease.
  • Test raw materials, processes, or finished products to determine quality or quantity of materials or characteristics of a substance.
  • Analyze and record test data to issue reports that use charts, graphs, or narratives.
Work Context
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 93% responded "Every day".
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 98% responded "Every day".
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 90% responded "Extremely important".
  • Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets — 93% responded "Every day".
  • Telephone — 80% responded "Every day".
  • Contact With Others — 61% responded "Constant contact with others".
  • Importance of Repeating Same Tasks — 63% responded "Extremely important".
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Work Activities
  • Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Clean medical equipment or facilities.
  • Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use.
  • Maintain medical laboratory equipment.
  • Analyze laboratory specimens to detect abnormalities or other problems.
  • Operate laboratory equipment to analyze medical samples.
  • Enter patient or treatment data into computers.
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Knowledge

Chemistry
  • 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.
Biology
  • Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Skills

Active Listening
  • 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.
Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking
  • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
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Abilities

Near Vision
  • The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Information Ordering
  • 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).
Oral Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Problem Sensitivity
  • 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.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Spreadsheet software
  • Microsoft Excel Hot Technology
  • Spreadsheet software
Office suite software
  • Microsoft Office Hot Technology
Word processing software
  • Microsoft Word Hot Technology
  • Google Docs Hot Technology
  • Word processing software
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