Career Advice | Clinical Laboratory Technicians Careers and Job Future
Healthcare Professionals Heading to the Lab: The bright future for clinical laboratory technicians
Laboratory technologist and technicians make up a rather large piece of the
growing healthcare workforce, accounting for more than 300,000 jobs in 1998
market, according to the Department of Labor. About half of these professionals
work in hospitals, while the rest have positions with independent medical
laboratories, physician offices and clinics.
The daily grind
Medical (or clinical) lab personnel perform a wide variety of tests,
examinations and analyses in the laboratory setting. They are employed by many
different organizations, including hospitals, independent laboratories and other
facilities. Clinical laboratory testing plays a huge part in the general course
of healthcare, and lab technologists and technicians are responsible for this
crucial part of the process.
Requirements for success
The responsibilities of technicians and technologists vary a great deal
according to their education and experience. One lab technologist may cut and
stain victims' tissue specimens for examination by a pathologist; a lab
technician may analyze the chemical and hormonal contents of patient's body
fluids. It can vary a great deal, but most lab personnel-no matter what they
specialize in-must have a bachelor's degree with a major in medical technology
or a life science. In some states, personnel in a laboratory must also have a
license or be registered to perform laboratory work.
A look ahead
As with other healthcare professions, the need for clinical lab technicians
is expected to grow over the next few years. The Department of Labor projects a
growth rate as fast as the average for all occupations through 2008. Technicians
may face some challenges in the job hunt as some healthcare organizations slow
the hiring process while they reevaluate and rearrange their organizations to be
more effective and cost efficient. But as the population grows and a large
number of healthcare professionals retire, there will be a greater need for new
workers. Clinical technologists and technicians play an important role in
hospitals and other medical organizations-a link between pure science and
patient care. Working with detection, diagnosis and treatment of disease will
provide an incredible opportunity for career success and stability in the
thriving healthcare market.
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