Clinical laboratory technologists and techniciansClinical laboratory testing plays a crucial role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Clinical laboratory technologists, also referred to as clinical laboratory scientists or medical technologists, and clinical laboratory technicians, also known as medical technicians or medical laboratory technicians, perform most of these tests. Clinical laboratory personnel examine and analyze body fluids, tissues, and cells. They look for bacteria, parasites, and other microorganisms; analyze the chemical content of fluids; match blood for transfusions; and test for drug levels in the blood to show how a patient is responding to treatment. These technologists also prepare specimens for examination, count cells, and look for abnormal cells. They use automated equipment and instruments capable of performing a number of tests simultaneously, as well as microscopes, cell counters, and other sophisticated laboratory equipment. Then they analyze the results and relay them to physicians. With increasing automation and the use of computer technology, the work of technologists and technicians has become less hands-on and more analytical. The complexity of tests performed, the level of judgment needed, and the amount of responsibility workers assume depend largely on the amount of education and experience they have. Clinical laboratory technologists generally have a bachelor�s degree in medical technology or in one of the life sciences, or they have a combination of formal training and work experience. They perform complex chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic, and bacteriological tests. Technologists microscopically examine blood, tissue, and other body substances. They make cultures of body fluid and tissue samples, to determine the presence of bacteria, fungi, parasites, or other microorganisms. Clinical laboratory technologists analyze samples for chemical content or a chemical reaction and determine blood glucose and cholesterol levels. They also type and cross match blood samples for transfusions. Clinical laboratory technologists evaluate test results, develop and modify procedures, and establish and monitor programs, to ensure the accuracy of tests. Some clinical laboratory technologists supervise clinical laboratory technicians. Technologists in small laboratories perform many types of tests, whereas those in large laboratories generally specialize. Technologists who prepare specimens and analyze the chemical and hormonal contents of body fluids are called clinical chemistry technologists. Those who examine and identify bacteria and other microorganisms are microbiology technologists. Blood bank technologists, or immunohematology technologists, collect, type, and prepare blood and its components for transfusions. Immunology technologists examine elements of the human immune system and its response to foreign bodies. Cytotechnologists prepare slides of body cells and examine these cells microscopically for abnormalities that may signal the beginning of a cancerous growth. Molecular biology technologists perform complex protein and nucleic acid testing on cell samples. Clinical laboratory technicians perform less complex tests and laboratory procedures than technologists perform. Technicians may prepare specimens and operate automated analyzers, for example, or they may perform manual tests in accordance with detailed instructions. Like technologists, they may work in several areas of the clinical laboratory or specialize in just one. Histotechnicians cut and stain tissue specimens for microscopic examination by pathologists, and phlebotomists collect blood samples. They usually work under the supervision of medical and clinical laboratory technologists or laboratory managers. Related news articles Laboratory Technician - Oct 12, 2006 Wimbledon Guardian,...(ideally Full Time, 36 hours per week, term time only) - salary approx £20k pro rata + Local Government Pension Scheme. An experience ... SCIENCE LABORATORY TECHNICIAN - Sep 22, 2006 Croydon Guardian,A well-qualified Biology technician is needed as soon as possible to join our team of science technicians. Main responsibilities ... Laboratory Technician - Sep 27, 2006 Derby Evening Telegraph,...food industry worldwide. We currently have a vacancy for a Laboratory Technician to join our Quality Assurance team. The position ... Reliability Lab Technician - Oct 10, 2006 RenewableEnergyAccess.com,SunPower seeks an experienced Solar Reliability Laboratory Technician who will run reliability tests for solar cells and modules. ... A hospital without staff - Oct 12, 2006 GreaterKashmir.com (press release),...the hospital also mention a laboratory assistant, an X-ray technician, a dental technician, an Ophthalmic assistant, a laboratory technician, three pharmacists ... The criminally minded don't get concealed-carry permits - Oct 12, 2006 Roanoke Times,MacDanel, of Harrisonburg, is a laboratory technician at the Merck & Co. Inc., Stonewall Plant in Elkton. This is in response to ... Back Pay Exposes Fraud - Oct 10, 2006 Daily Graphic,Paul Darkwa, a spare parts dealer who is currently on the run, on the payroll and indicated Darkwa’s profession as a medical laboratory technician, for which ... Ex-technician raps waiting lists 'lies' - Oct 3, 2006 ic SurreyOnline.co.uk,A FORMER laboratory technician at Epsom Hospital has hit out at Government "lies" over waiting lists - an attempt she believes to brainwash the public that it ... Police Arrest Suspect’s Girlfriend - Oct 11, 2006 Daily Graphic,...the police have mounted a search for Paul Darkwa, a cousin of Adu Gyamfi’s, who was employed by the suspect as a medical laboratory technician and later ... Returning to his homeland - Oct 1, 2006 Herald Times Reporter,..."I think this is good to raise money for kids that don't have things like we do," said the medical laboratory technician who was visiting from Aurora Sheboygan ... Presentation Heinz Neumüller Award - Oct 4, 2006 LetsGoDigital,The Heinz Neumüller Award is presented in the faculties of photo media laboratory technician, digital photographer and photographic retailer to those ... University van pool program gets rolling - Oct 9, 2006 Minnesota Daily,The principal laboratory technician in the University's veterinary diagnostic lab said she used to make the trek from Forest Lake to her St. ... Some Cancer patients died after time-saving change problem emerges ... - Oct 8, 2006 Kansas City Star,Luke’s laboratory technician who also was a patient found out about the outside expert’s confidential report and spread the word. ... Court to decide stepmom's fate - Oct 5, 2006 News24,...later, the tests were positive. A Gauteng laboratory technician has confirmed that the boy is HIV positive. The nurse has been acquitted ... MACC formalizes lab tech program - Oct 3, 2006 Moberly Monitor Index,College Board of Trustees formally approved the clinical affiliate agreement and handbook for its newest program of medical laboratory technician at its ... Varied career of master potter - Oct 4, 2006 The Thetford and Brandon Times,54, of Gallants Lane. After leaving school at 15 and becoming a laboratory technician, education beckoned again. He studied A-levels ... Kenya: Elephant Kills British Tourist in the Mara - Oct 3, 2006 AllAfrica.com,Mrs Maina, a laboratory technician with KWS, was monitoring the breathing of the elephant when the truck tipped over and the elephant fell on her leg. ... Patients, survivors sue over stem cell transplant program - Oct 8, 2006 Belleville News-Democrat,Luke's laboratory technician Kathleen Risinger, who also was a patient, found out about the outside expert's confidential report and spread the word. ... More information on Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook Overview of Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians occupation Number of Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians in the U.S. Salary and earnings for Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians Working conditions for Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians Significant points for Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians Training requirements for Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians Labor Information Home | Occupational data by city | Search Rainforests | Madagascar | What's new |