Also called: Clinical Lab Scientist, Medical Technologist
Runs the tests on blood, urine, and tissue that drive about 70% of medical decisions.
Behind the scenes in the hospital lab: loads tubes into analyzers, identifies bacteria growing in a culture, cross-matches blood for an emergency transfusion, and calls the ER when a result is dangerously abnormal.
BLS May 2024.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in medical laboratory science plus ASCP certification; some states require a license.
Ways in: 4-year college, Certification. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Medical Laboratory Science, Biology, Chemistry.
Growing about average (about 2% over 10 years). Openings exceed graduates in many areas.
Medium risk for 10 years. Automated analyzers and robotic tracks run more routine tests; troubleshooting, microbiology and verifying odd results stay human.
Classes: AP Biology, AP Chemistry, Algebra II, Statistics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 29-2011.
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