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Clinical Chemistry Technician |
Career OverviewAs their title suggests, clinical chemistry technicians work in laboratories, undertaking the variety of tests ordered by physicians. Whether they work in offices or in hospitals, physicians order tests to determine a patient’s state of health, to assist in both the diagnostic and treatment phases of care.
On average, a major hospital in the United States may perform more than 2 million tests per year. For this reason, hospital laboratories hire many clinical chemistry technicians.
Clinical chemistry technicians, also known as medical laboratory technicians, perform the less complex tests ordered by physicians. They also carry out the routine procedures assigned to laboratories, such as blood counts. Clinical chemistry technicians use microscopes to examine specimens and inoculate cultures.
Most clinical chemistry technicians work in hospital laboratories, but employment opportunities exist in private laboratories, physicians’ offices, HMOs, clinics, and commercial organizations such as pharmaceutical companies.
They may work in several areas, performing several different types of tests, or they may specialize in one area of testing. Histology technician, for example, is a clinical chemistry technician who specializes in preserving and processing tissues specimens obtained from patients.
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Career RequirementsA high school diploma or its equivalent is required to enter into a clinical laboratory technician training program. Most clinical laboratory technicians have associate degrees or some credit from a community college, with demonstrated interest in sciences, including biology, chemistry, biochemistry, and pathology.
The Clinical Laboratory Improvements Act requires those who perform highly complex tests to have at least an associate degree and there are now two nationally recognized accrediting agencies for training programs in medical laboratory science. The agencies are the Accrediting Bureau of Health and Education Schools (AHBES) and the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory sciences (NAACLS).
Certification is available to clinical laboratory technicians through the National Certification Agency for Medical Laboratory Personnel, by the ABHES and the NAACLS.
More information about the field of clinical laboratory testing is available through the following organization:
The American Society of Cytopathology
400 W. Ninth St., Ste. 201,
Wilmington, DE 19801
www.cytopathology.org
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Job OutlookThe outlook for clinical laboratory technicians is generally good, but subject to the changing health care system. As most clinical laboratory technicians work in hospital laboratories, the cutbacks in hospital treatment time may shift the focus of testing to private laboratories or outpatient facilities.
A career as a clinical laboratory technician is particularly appropriate for individuals with ability and interest in biology and chemistry, with a definite ability to work under pressure, and with a high level of organization and maturity.
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Career TrackOpportunities for advancement as a clinical laboratory technician exist in various forms. Advancement in terms of education and position can amount to a supervisor role as a certified laboratory technologist. Specialization in a particular area of medical testing can allow for promotions within a specific field, such as the study of tissue samples or the study of blood samples.
The vast majority of clinical laboratory technicians work in hospital or private laboratories but more are finding opportunities at pharmaceutical companies with commercial interests, at physicians’ offices, and even with federal and local health agencies looking to modify and expand their medical care programs.
In all settings, managerial positions and educator positions may also be available to those with sufficient experience and relevant interest.
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CompensationAlthough compensation varies, most clinical laboratory technicians receive standard benefits and salaries ranging between $25,000 to $38,000 per year.
Clinical laboratory technologists, who are generally responsible for supervising clinical laboratory technicians, receive between $28,000 and $45,000 per year and standard benefits in most positions.
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