CFChooseField
Healthcare

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists

Perform complex medical laboratory tests for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May train or supervise staff.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
Download graphic

Preparation level

Job Zone 4
Usually requires considerable preparation, commonly a bachelor's degree and related experience.
O*NET 30.3 Database · 2026
View source ↗

Leading skill

Critical Thinking
A highly important skill for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists.
O*NET 30.3 Database · 2026
View source ↗

Core knowledge

Chemistry
A leading knowledge area used in Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists.
O*NET 30.3 Database · 2026
View source ↗

Career interest

Investigative
One of the strongest interest themes associated with this work.
O*NET 30.3 Database · 2026
View source ↗

Typical work activity

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
One of the occupation's most important kinds of work.
O*NET 30.3 Database · 2026
View source ↗

Day-to-day work

10 examples
Analyze samples of biological material for chemical content or reaction.
O*NET 30.3 Database · 2026
View source ↗

Software and tools

12 tools listed
Examples: MEDITECH software, eClinicalWorks EHR software, Microsoft Word.
O*NET 30.3 Database · 2026
View source ↗
O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Critical Thinking
  2. 2Science
  3. 3Active Listening
  4. 4Reading Comprehension
  5. 5Monitoring
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Chemistry
  2. 2Customer and Personal Service
  3. 3Computers and Electronics
  4. 4English Language
  5. 5Biology
  6. 6Mathematics

Abilities

  1. 1Inductive Reasoning
  2. 2Near Vision
  3. 3Information Ordering
  4. 4Problem Sensitivity
  5. 5Written Comprehension
  6. 6Deductive Reasoning

Career interests

  1. 1Investigative
  2. 2Realistic
  3. 3Conventional
  4. 4Social
  5. 5Enterprising
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Attention to Detail
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Cautiousness
  4. 4Integrity
  5. 5Achievement Orientation
  6. 6Intellectual Curiosity

Work activities

  1. 1Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  2. 2Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
  3. 3Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  4. 4Analyzing Data or Information
  5. 5Processing Information
  6. 6Documenting/Recording Information

Work context

  1. 1Telephone Conversations
  2. 2Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  3. 3Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  4. 4E-Mail
  5. 5Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  6. 6Exposed to Disease or Infections

Representative tasks

  • Analyze samples of biological material for chemical content or reaction.
  • Analyze laboratory findings to check the accuracy of the results.
  • Conduct chemical analysis of body fluids, including blood, urine, or spinal fluid, to determine presence of normal or abnormal components.
  • Enter data from analysis of medical tests or clinical results into computer for storage.
  • 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.
  • Operate, calibrate, or maintain equipment used in quantitative or qualitative analysis, such as spectrophotometers, calorimeters, flame photometers, or computer-controlled analyzers.
  • Establish or monitor quality assurance programs or activities to ensure the accuracy of laboratory results.

Software and tools

MEDITECH software · hot technologyeClinicalWorks EHR software · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyMicrosoft Project · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologySpecimen tracking softwareReimbursement screening softwareQuality control softwareMicroscopic image capturing softwareCommercial plate reader software

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.