National
| Median wages (2008) |
$17.01 hourly, $35,380 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
151,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Faster than average (14% to 20%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
46,000 additional employees |
29-2012.00 - 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.
Sample of reported job titles:
Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT), Medical Laboratory Technician (Medical Lab Tech), Laboratory Assistant (Lab Assistant), Laboratory Technician, Phlebotomist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Laboratory Supervisor, Non-Registered Technician, Laboratory Associate (Lab Associate), Toxicology Laboratory Technician
Tasks
- Conduct chemical analyses of body fluids, such as blood and urine, using microscope or automatic analyzer to detect abnormalities or diseases, and enter findings into computer.
- Conduct blood tests for transfusion purposes and perform blood counts.
- Examine cells stained with dye to locate abnormalities.
- Set up, maintain, calibrate, clean, and test sterility of medical laboratory equipment.
- Analyze the results of tests and experiments to ensure conformity to specifications, using special mechanical and electrical devices.
- Analyze and record test data to issue reports that use charts, graphs and narratives.
- Consult with a pathologist to determine a final diagnosis when abnormal cells are found.
- Prepare standard volumetric solutions and reagents to be combined with samples, following standardized formulas or experimental procedures.
- Inoculate fertilized eggs, broths, or other bacteriological media with organisms.
- Collect blood or tissue samples from patients, observing principles of asepsis to obtain blood sample.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Chemistry analyzers — Automated chemistry analyzers; Automated/semi-automated dipstick analysis systems; Heterologous test systems; Homologous test systems |
| Coagulation analyzers — Automated coagulation analyzers; Portable coagulation analyzers |
| Hematology analyzers — 5-part differential automated hematology analyzers; Automated platelet analyzers; Hematology task-targeted automation TTA systems; Semi-automated hematology analyzers |
| Phlebotomy trays or accessories — Collection tube holders/adapters; Unopettes |
| Vacuum blood collection tubes or containers — Evacuated blood collection tubes; Vacutainer tubes |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Accounting software — Billing software |
| Data base user interface and query software — Database software |
| Medical software — Laboratory information system LIS software; Microscopic image capturing software; Specimen tracking software; Test result delivery software |
| Spreadsheet software |
| Word processing software |
