Occupation · SOC 29-2012
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.
Median wage
$54,270
$36,380–$87,540
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
3,124,620
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
199 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingSpeakingScienceWritingInstructingTime Management
Knowledge areas
BiologyChemistryEnglish LanguageMathematicsCustomer and Personal Service
Technology & tools
Billing and invoicing softwareMedical softwareData base user interface and query softwareElectronic mail softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
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.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.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.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Basic laboratory equipment and glassware — identify and handle under direct supervision in a clinical laboratory setting.Standard aseptic techniques — apply when collecting blood samples from patients under the guidance of a supervising technician.Chemical analyses of body fluids — perform preliminary steps using automatic analyzers while following written protocols in a hospital laboratory.Standardized reagent formulas — prepare simple volumetric solutions by following step-by-step written procedures under close supervision.Microscopy equipment — operate at a basic level to examine body fluid samples under direct technician oversight.Laboratory findings — enter test results into computer systems accurately following data-entry protocols established by the laboratory.Medical laboratory safety and asepsis principles — follow established procedures to maintain sterile conditions in a clinical environment.Test results and normal reference ranges — recognize and flag obvious abnormalities under the direction of a senior technician.Laboratory information software — navigate and retrieve basic patient records following supervisor guidance in a clinical lab.Active listening and reading comprehension — apply to understand and carry out verbal and written instructions during daily laboratory tasks.
developing
Chemical analyses of blood and urine samples — conduct routinely using automatic analyzers and microscopes with minimal oversight in a clinical laboratory.Medical laboratory equipment — set up, calibrate, and clean instruments independently according to standard maintenance schedules in a hospital lab.Volumetric solutions and reagents — prepare accurately using standardized formulas, adapting to varying sample requirements in a routine laboratory workflow.Blood and tissue samples — collect from patients independently while consistently observing aseptic principles in a clinical or outpatient setting.Test results and experimental data — analyze for conformity to laboratory specifications using mechanical or electrical devices in a diagnostic environment.Laboratory findings — record and enter into database systems with attention to detail and accuracy during normal daily operations.Time management principles — apply to prioritize multiple specimen analyses and equipment tasks efficiently during moderate-volume laboratory shifts.Quality control procedures — monitor ongoing test runs and flag out-of-range results for review in a clinical lab setting.Medical and billing software — use to document patient testing information and support administrative workflows in a laboratory department.Newer laboratory assistants — provide informal guidance on equipment use and safety protocols in a supervised team environment.
proficient
Complex chemical analyses of body fluids — perform autonomously across a full range of specimen types, interpreting abnormal findings in a high-volume clinical laboratory.Non-routine equipment malfunctions — diagnose and resolve independently, applying troubleshooting judgment to maintain analytical accuracy in a laboratory setting.Reagent and solution preparation — execute using experimental as well as standardized procedures, adapting formulations to address atypical sample or assay needs.Sterility and quality control standards — evaluate and enforce rigorously across all laboratory workflows, initiating corrective actions when deviations are detected.Critical test results — communicate clearly and promptly to clinical staff using sound judgment to prioritize patient-safety implications in a hospital environment.Laboratory data and analytical software — leverage advanced features to analyze trends, identify systemic errors, and support continuous quality improvement efforts.Aseptic blood and tissue collection — perform on challenging patient populations while coaching peers on technique refinement in a clinical care setting.Operations monitoring — oversee multiple concurrent test runs, applying problem sensitivity to catch process deviations before they affect patient results.Regulatory and accreditation requirements — interpret and apply to ensure laboratory compliance with CAP, CLIA, or equivalent standards on a daily basis.Cross-functional coordination — collaborate with pathologists, nurses, and billing staff to resolve complex specimen or reporting issues across a healthcare system.
advanced
Laboratory competency frameworks — develop and implement for all technician staff, setting measurable performance standards across a multi-section clinical laboratory.Technicians and laboratory assistants — supervise, mentor, and formally instruct to build departmental capability and ensure consistent quality of analytical output.Quality management programs — design and lead, including proficiency testing oversight and root-cause analysis, to drive continuous improvement across the laboratory.New analytical technologies and workflows — evaluate, validate, and integrate into laboratory operations, making evidence-based recommendations to leadership.Laboratory policies and standard operating procedures — author and revise to reflect current best practices, regulatory mandates, and institutional patient-safety goals.Departmental training curricula — create and deliver for orientation and ongoing education of clinical laboratory personnel in a healthcare organization.Strategic laboratory resource planning — direct, allocating equipment, reagents, and staffing to optimize throughput and cost-effectiveness at an organizational scale.Complex problem-solving initiatives — lead cross-departmental teams to address systemic analytical errors or safety incidents affecting laboratory and patient outcomes.Laboratory data and performance metrics — synthesize and present to hospital administration and accreditation bodies using analytical and presentation software.Interdisciplinary service orientation — champion within the laboratory, forging partnerships with clinical, administrative, and public safety stakeholders to advance patient care quality.
Also known as
176 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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