A microscope is an integral tool for a laboratory technician.
Laboratory technicians work behind the scenes in the fight against disease. These workers perform medical lab tests and deliver the results to the requesting health care professional. You can find a laboratory technician studying a blood sample beneath a microscope. According to the Occupational Information Network, a laboratory technician may also be known as a medical and clinical laboratory technician.
Roles
According to the Occupational Information Network, laboratory technicians conduct routine laboratory tests for the purpose of diagnosing, treating and preventing diseases. Technicians may work under the supervision of a technologist. Technicians may use tools, such as chemistry analyzers, coagulation analyzers, hematology analyzers, phlebotomy trays or vacuum blood collection tubes or containers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, technicians prepare specimens and work automated analyzers. Specimens include bodily fluid, tissue and other types of samples. Workers may also conduct manual tests in accordance to specific instructions.
Environment and Hours
Clinical laboratory technicians work in laboratories, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some work involves dealing with infectious or dangerous substances. Technicians take safety precautions by wearing goggles, protective masks and gloves. Hours vary according to setting. Large hospitals and independent labs operate around the clock. Employees work shifts during the day, evening, weekend or holiday. Those in small facilities may work rotating shifts, instead of regular shifts. In case of emergency, some laboratory personnel are required to be on call several nights during the week or weekends.
Education and Training
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, clinical laboratory technicians typically need a certificate or an associate degree. Associate programs are offered at community colleges or junior colleges. Certificates are offered by hospitals, vocational institutes, technical institutes or the Armed Forces. Few technicians learn all skills through on-the-job training.
Salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical and clinical laboratory technicians earned a national mean hourly wage of $18.20 and a national mean annual wage of $37,860 in May 2009. Industries that employed the highest levels of medical and clinical laboratory technicians included general medical and surgical hospitals with an annual mean wage of $38,820; medical and diagnostic laboratories, $35,590; offices of physicians, $37,060; ambulatory health care services, $34,130; and colleges, universities and professional schools, $40,020.
Job Outlook
According to the National Employment Matrix from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for medical and clinical laboratory technicians will increase at a rate of 16 percent through 2018. Most jobs will be in hospitals; however, other health care settings will also experience growth.
Tags: Bureau Labor, Bureau Labor Statistics, clinical laboratory, Labor Statistics, laboratory technician, laboratory technicians, medical clinical
