What You'll Do

  • Conduct chemical analyses of body fluids, such as blood or urine, using microscope or automatic analyzer to detect abnormalities or diseases and enter findings into computer.
  • Analyze the results of tests or experiments to ensure conformity to specifications, using special mechanical or electrical devices.
  • Analyze and record test data to issue reports that use charts, graphs, or narratives.
  • Perform medical research to further control or cure disease.
  • Conduct blood tests for transfusion purposes and perform blood counts.
  • Obtain specimens, cultivating, isolating, and identifying microorganisms for analysis.
  • Examine cells stained with dye to locate abnormalities.
  • Collect blood or tissue samples from patients, observing principles of asepsis to obtain blood sample.
  • Consult with a pathologist to determine a final diagnosis when abnormal cells are found.
  • Supervise or instruct other technicians or laboratory assistants.

Essential Skills

Active Listening 3.88/5
Reading Comprehension 3.5/5
Speaking 3.38/5
Critical Thinking 3.38/5
Science 3.25/5
Writing 3.12/5
Monitoring 3.12/5
Instructing 3.12/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.12/5
Operations Monitoring 3.12/5
Quality Control Analysis 3.12/5
Time Management 3.12/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to understand the kind of profile this role rewards. It helps you judge whether this career looks like a stronger match than your current role, a nearby move worth exploring, or a broader path to compare more seriously.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.

Common styles

Attention to Detail, Dependability, Cautiousness, Integrity, Cooperation

Want a personal read on fit? Take the free assessment and compare this career to your current role, nearby alternatives, and broader stronger-fit options.

Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Near Vision 4.0/5
Oral Expression 3.88/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.88/5
Information Ordering 3.88/5
Oral Comprehension 3.75/5
Written Comprehension 3.62/5
Finger Dexterity 3.62/5
Written Expression 3.12/5

Technologies & Tools

Billing software Commercial plate reader software Data entry software Database software Electronic medical record EMR software Email software FileMaker Pro Google Docs Hematology laboratory workflow management software IBM Notes Laboratory information system LIS Medical digital imaging software Medical software Medical system integration software MEDITECH software Microscopic image capturing software Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint

Work Environment & Strengths

Common Strengths for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 5.0/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.77/5)
  • Cautiousness (High importance: 4.69/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.42/5)
  • Cooperation (High importance: 4.18/5)

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How to Become One

This career typically requires vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some specialized training or certification may also be required.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Biotechnician Blood and Plasma Laboratory Assistant Blood Bank Laboratory Technician Blood or Blood Bank Technician Blood Typer Catheterization Laboratory Technician (Catheterization Lab Tech) Certified Clinical Laboratory Technician Certified Dialysis Technician Clinical Laboratory Assistant (Clinical Lab Assistant) Clinical Laboratory Technician (Clinical Lab Technician) Clinical Research Assistant Clinical Technician (Clinical Tech) Donor Center Technician Hematology Technician Hemodialysis Technician Histologic Aide Histologic Technician Histology Technician Histopathology Technician Histotechnician Laboratory Assistant (Lab Assistant) Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech) Laboratory Worker Medical Lab Assistant Medical Laboratory Assistant Medical Laboratory Specialist Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) Medical Laboratory Technicians (Medical Lab Technician) Medical Numerical Control Operator Medical Technician Microbiology Technician Neurology Technician Pathological Technician Pathologist Assistant Pathology Technician Patient Care Technician Pharmaceutical Laboratory Technician Serology Technician Sleep Technician Specimen Accessioner Specimen Collector Specimen Processor Specimen Technician (Specimen Tech) Tissue Technician Vascular Technician

Career Fit FAQs

Is this career a good fit for me

This page shows the role itself. To see personal fit, use the assessment to compare your interests, motivations, and strengths against this career and against the role you are in now.

Can this help if I want to stay in my field

Yes. Many people use career pages like this to compare nearby roles in the same field and see whether they need a full switch or a better-fit version of the work they already know.

What should I compare first

Start with the daily tasks, the preparation level, and the work-style signals on this page. Then use the assessment to see whether this role looks like a stronger fit than your current role or just a different title.