University of Nebraska Medical Center

Clinical laboratory scientists, also known as medical technologists, are vital members of the healthcare team. They assist in the care, diagnosis and treatment of patients.

How?

As skilled scientists, they perform behind-the-scenes tests that physicians rely on to diagnose and treat patients. For example, they perform tests that may confirm a case of diabetes, or detect an early case of leukemia.

Basically, clinical laboratory scientists can test anything that comes out of your body. As a matter of fact, the variety and critical nature of the tests they perform may surprise you. Did you know clinical laboratory scientists perform tests to determine compatibility for organ donation?

They also conduct tests to:

		monitor the level of anti-rejection drugs in transplant patients
		verify a potentially dangerous drug level
		identify the causative microorganism in a blood or wound infection
		type and crossmatch blood samples for transfusions
		detect a cancerous tumor with DNA techniques
		identify toxic agents, such as anthrax, in cases of bioterrorism

But performing tests isn't all that clinical laboratory scientists do. They are also involved in the development and evaluation of tests. Plus, they interpret data, analyze results, manage information and communicate with other members of the healthcare team.

Clinical laboratory scientists can also specialize in an area like microbiology, become research technologists, forensic technologists, supervisors, managers or educators.

Is this career for you?

		Are you a problem-solver?
		Are you accurate and reliable?
		Are you detail oriented?
		Do you work well under pressure?
		Do you have an interest in the biological sciences and medicine?

If so, a career in clinical laboratory science might be for you. This career is ideal for students who love the biological sciences and medicine, but prefer less direct patient contact than nursing, or fewer years of education than physicians.

To be a clinical laboratory scientist, you need good analytical judgment. You must pay close attention to detail and possess manual dexterity. Plus, you also need strong computer skills to operate the automated laboratory equipment.

Want to know more?
Jump over to Day in the Life and spend a "virtual day" with a practicing clinical laboratory scientist.