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Clinical Laboratory Technician Job Description
Associate degree clinical laboratory technicians/medical laboratory technicians (CLTs/MLTs) perform all the routine tests in an up-to-date medical laboratory and can demonstrate discrimination between closely similar items and correction of errors by the use of preset strategies. The technician has knowledge of specific techniques and instruments and is able to recognize factors that directly affect procedures and results. The technician also monitors quality assurance procedures.

• Routine laboratory procedures
• Use of microscopes, computers, specialized instruments and equipment
• May evaluate test results
• Prepare specimens and operate automated analyzers
• Perform manual tests following detailed instructions
• May work in several areas of the laboratory or may specialize in one area
• Usually work under the supervision of medical and clinical laboratory technologists or laboratory managers

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Clinical Laboratory Technician Employment
Most CLTs/MLTs work in hospital, clinic, or physican office laboratories.

Clinical Laboratory Technician Career Outlook
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics expects significant growth in job opportunities in this field. For 2006-2016, the BLS states that available jobs should increase by 15%. Although hospitals are expected to continue to be the major employer of clinical laboratory workers, employment is expected to grow faster in medical and diagnostic laboratories, offices of physicians, and all other ambulatory health care services.

Clinical Laboratory Technician Salary
According to the American Medical Association, the average salary in 2005 for clinical laboratory technicians/medical laboratory technicians was $37,100 - $41,000.

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Clinical Laboratory Technician Education
A high school diploma or equivalent is required of applicants. The associate degree programs usually last 2 years. Classroom and laboratory classes focus on general knowledge and basic skills, understanding principles and mastering procedures of laboratory testing; basic laboratory mathematics, computer technology, communications skills, and interpersonal relationships and responsibilities. The clinical courses include application of basic principles commonly used in the diagnostic laboratory. Clinical instruction includes procedures in hematology, microbiology, immunohematology, immunology, clinical chemistry, and urinalysis.

Employers seek clinical laboratory personnel with good analytical judgment and the ability to work under pressure. Close attention to detail is also essential for laboratory personnel because small differences or changes in test substances or numerical readouts can be crucial to a diagnosis. Manual dexterity and normal color vision are highly desirable, and with the widespread use of automated laboratory equipment, computer skills are important.

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Professional Certification
Many employers prefer applicants who are certified by a recognized professional association. Associations offering certification include the Board of Registry of the American Society for Clinical Pathology, the American Medical Technologists, the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel, and the Board of Registry of the American Association of Bioanalysts. These agencies have different requirements for certification and different organizational sponsors.

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Career Advancement
Technicians can become clinical laboratory technologists / medical laboratory technologists with additional education and experience. Accredited baccalaureate programs offer CLTs/MLTs the additional education typically required for career advancement.

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Laboratory Sciences Professional Organizations