Medical technologists, also known as clinical laboratory
scientists, analyze human blood, tissues, and body fluids. They
also oversee the performance of thousands of types of medical laboratory
tests using a wide variety of precision instruments. They may also
conduct research and develop scientific methods to advance the study
of disease processes.
Medical technologists exercise independent judgment,
correlate test results, and interpret the findings with respect
to normal or abnormal ranges. Physicians depend on medical technologists
to produce reliable and valid results which may be used in determining
the presence, extent, and possible cause of disease.
Technologist/ Clinical Laboratory Scientist
Areas of Specialization
Medical technologists may work in several different areas of the
clinical laboratory including clinical chemistry (analyzing chemical
substances present in blood); blood banking (involving the preparation
of blood components and plasma for transfusions); immunohematology
(determining if donor's blood can be safely transfused to the patient);
hematology (examining abnormal cells and diseases affecting blood);
microbiology (identifying the bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites
that cause infectious disease); immunology (examining the degree
of immunity or resistance to disease and assisting in studies for
organ transplantation); urinalysis (involving chemical and cellular
analysis of urine); and toxicology (the identification of toxic
substances and drugs in body fluids).
The majority of medical technologists work in hospital laboratories.
Others work in independent laboratories, reference laboratories,
clinics, health maintenance organizations (HMO), public health agencies,
pharmaceutical firms, research institutions, scientific equipment
companies, physicians' offices, and as teachers in college clinical
laboratory science programs. The working environment is as varied
as the types of practice in which medical technologists are engaged.
Because of hospital standards, the laboratory environment is generally
well-lighted and clean. National requirements for safety equipment
and proper professional attire provide assurance to those who work
in clinical laboratories.
The number of Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists employed
in Florida in 2006 was 8,559. It is projected that in 2014 there
will be 10,170, an annual average growth rate of 2.4 percent The
2004 Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 13,000 new laboratory
professionals will be needed in the United States each year; however,
current training programs only graduate 5,000 students each year.
Length of Training/Requirements
Bachelor's degree programs in medical technology require three or
four years of college education plus one year of clinical laboratory
education and experience in an accredited health facility. The courses
include general college courses with high emphasis in chemistry,
biological sciences, mathematics, and computer sciences plus all
of the clinical courses that are practice areas for medical technologists.
These include clinical chemistry, bacteriology, immunology, hematology,
immunohematology, virology, parasitology, mycology, and molecular
Experienced medical technologists may advance to supervisory positions
as chief medical technologist, or laboratory manager, or laboratory
director in large hospitals. Specialization and graduate education
are available in most of the clinical sciences. Opportunities for
faculty positions in medical laboratory science programs are open
to those with graduate degrees and interest in teaching.