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The technologist's work involves detecting, diagnosing and treating disease. It includes such areas as bacteriological, biological, chemical, hematological, immunologic and microscopic test procedures.

Technicians perform less complex tests and laboratory procedures.

In 2004 there were about 302,000 jobs for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians. More than half these jobs were in hospitals; a large number were in offices of physicians and in medical and diagnostic laboratories. Some jobs were in educational and other health care services.

A technologist requires a bachelor's degree with a major in medical technology or in a life science. One may also qualify by combining education, work and specialized training. Courses should include chemistry, biological sciences, microbiology, mathematics and statistics. Specialized courses concern the knowledge and skills needed in a clinical laboratory, as well as courses in management, business and computer applications.

Technicians should have an associate degree from a community or junior college or a certificate from a hospital, a vocational or technical school or one of the U.S. Armed Forces.

In some states laboratory personnel must be licensed or registered. Certification is a prerequisite for most jobs and may be required for advancement.

Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians must:

'Have good analytical judgment and be able to work under pressure.
'Have attention to detail,
'Have good dexterity and normal color vision,
'Follow instructions closely,
'Have some computer skills and to be good at problem solving.

Job openings are expected to be very good, as the job openings continue to be more than the number of job seekers. Employment of clinical laboratory workers is expected to grow faster than average for all occupations through 2014.

How Much Do Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians Ern?

Median annual earnings of technologists was $45,730 in May 2004. Salaries generally ranged from $32,240 to $63,120.
For technicians the median was $30,840. Salaries generally ranged from $20,410 to $45,680.

On A typical day a Technologist will:

'look for bacteria, parasites, and other microorganisms,
'analyze the chemical content of fluids and match blood for transfusions,
' test for drug levels in the blood to show how a patient is responding to treatment,
'prepare specimens for examination and look for abnormal cells in blood and body fluids,
'analyze the results and relay them to physicians,
'perform complex chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic and bacteriological tests,
' type and cross match blood samples for transfusions,
'Evaluate various test results.

I hope this article gives you a good idea of what is involved in the career of a Clinical Laboratory Technologists or Technician. Health care is the largest industry in the world. In the U.S. about 14 million people work in the health care field. More new wage and salary jobs are in health care than in any other industry. (Some figures from Bureau of Labor Statistics.)