What Do Medical Laboratory Technologists Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

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Job Description, Daily Responsibilities, and Work Life

Medical Laboratory Technologists

Medical Laboratory Technologists perform complex medical laboratory tests for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May train or supervise staff.

Salary
$55990
Becoming One
Hard
Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality



Job Description

Job Description

Medical Laboratory Technologists perform complex medical laboratory tests for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May train or supervise staff. They also conduct chemical analysis of body fluids, including blood, urine, or spinal fluid, to determine presence of normal or abnormal components.

Other tasks include:

  • Analyze laboratory findings to check the accuracy of the results.
  • Operate, calibrate, or maintain equipment used in quantitative or qualitative analysis, such as spectrophotometers, calorimeters, flame photometers, or computer-controlled analyzers.
  • Collect and study blood samples to determine the number of cells, their morphology, or their blood group, blood type, or compatibility for transfusion purposes, using microscopic techniques.
  • Enter data from analysis of medical tests or clinical results into computer for storage.
  • Establish or monitor quality assurance programs or activities to ensure the accuracy of laboratory results.
  • Analyze samples of biological material for chemical content or reaction.

We asked Medical Laboratory Technologists how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

Job satisfaction

67%

How meaningful is this job

81%


67% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 81% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.



Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Medical Laboratory Technologists conduct chemical analysis of body fluids, including blood, urine, or spinal fluid, to determine presence of normal or abnormal components. They analyze samples of biological material for chemical content or reaction.

A typical day for a Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist will also include:

  • Enter data from analysis of medical tests or clinical results into computer for storage.
  • Harvest cell cultures at optimum time, based on knowledge of cell cycle differences and culture conditions.
  • Analyze laboratory findings to check the accuracy of the results.
  • Collect and study blood samples to determine the number of cells, their morphology, or their blood group, blood type, or compatibility for transfusion purposes, using microscopic techniques.
  • Set up, clean, and maintain laboratory equipment.

We asked some Medical Laboratory Technologists a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job? 99% said yes
How important is it to work in a team in this job? 58% said very important
Do you have group discussions everyday in this job? 73% said yes
Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job? 53% said yes
Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job? 12% said yes
Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job? 87% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Medical Laboratory Technologists also obtain, cut, stain, and mount biological material on slides for microscopic study and diagnosis, following standard laboratory procedures. They may also conduct medical research under direction of microbiologist or biochemist.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Medical Laboratory Technologists Provide technical information about test results to physicians, family members, or researchers. They might also Develop, standardize, evaluate, or modify procedures, techniques, or tests used in the analysis of specimens or in medical laboratory experiments.

In addition, they Select and prepare specimens and media for cell cultures, using aseptic technique and knowledge of medium components and cell requirements.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Cultivate, isolate, or assist in identifying microbial organisms or perform various tests on these microorganisms.

To some Medical Laboratory Technologists, it is also their responsibility to Supervise, train, or direct lab assistants, medical and clinical laboratory technicians or technologists, or other medical laboratory workers engaged in laboratory testing.


Working life

Working hours

Standard 40 hour work week

Working schedule

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Do Medical Laboratory Technologists work in an office-style work environment?

Every day
100%


Never
0%


Do Medical Laboratory Technologists work outdoors?

Never
99%


Once a year
1%



Is this right for me

Best personality for this career

The Thinkers and The Builders

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

You can read more about these career personality types here.



Learn more about Medical Laboratory Technologists

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Related to Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists Job Description

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists job description, what do Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists do, typical day for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists, what is it like to work as a Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist, how many hours do Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists work, day to day work of a Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist

Additional resources

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/healthcare/medical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicians.htm
http://www.americanmedtech.org/
http://www.naacls.org/
http://www.aab.org/


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