Don’t expect to see clinical laboratory technicians playing
a leading role on “Grey’s Anatomy” anytime soon. Leave the spotlight to trauma
doctors and snazzy surgeons because clinical lab technicians are content with
working hard behind the scenes. Serving as an important cog in the elaborate
framework that is the modern hospital or clinic, they conduct the crucial tests
and analyses that physicians use to make their diagnoses. Clinical laboratory
technicians are responsible for a number of tasks, including examining body
fluids and cells and matching blood for transfusions. The job requires the use
of sophisticated laboratory equipment,
such as microscopes and cell counters.
With continued advancements in technology, lab work has become more analytical,
so laboratory personnel should have excellent judgment skills. More complex
procedures are reserved for clinical laboratory technologists, who must possess
a bachelor’s degree. Technicians, who must hold at least an associate’s degree,
often work under the supervision of technologists.
With steady population growth and the development of new lab
tests, the job market for clinical laboratory technicians is expected to remain
strong. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects clinical laboratory technician
employment growth of 29.7 percent between 2012 and 2022, adding 47,900 more
professionals to the 325,800 jobs currently in this field.
Salary Outlook
Compared with the other health care jobs on our list,
clinical laboratory technicians fall near the middle of the pay scale. Bringing
in $39,340, they make an average salary that’s less than that of pharmacists
($114,950), physical therapists ($81,110) and registered nurses ($67,930). But
they tend to make more in a year than medical assistants ($30,550) and
paramedics ($34,370).
Training
One of the most appealing aspects of this profession is the
education and training requirements are relatively easy to obtain. Most
clinical laboratory technicians possess an associate degree from a community
college or junior college program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency
for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. Others simply receive a certificate from a
hospital or a vocational school. Additionally, a small percentage of
technicians learn their skills through on-the-job training.
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