Medical Laboratory Scientist

As a Medical Laboratory Scientist, you will perform tests to analyze many types of samples from the body for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, as well as monitoring treatments and therapies. Medical Laboratory Scientists often analyze body fluids such as blood, urine, and spinal fluid. Although the majority of patients have normal results, you will also spend your time acting as a medical detective in some cases of abnormal findings. The medical laboratory has sophisticated equipment which requires a highly trained scientist to run, but also many intricate procedures which require hands-on duties. A day in the life of a Medical Laboratory Scientist is never boring as they count cells, prepare blood for transfusion, determine causes of infection, discuss results with the healthcare team, and provide accurate results.

Outlook and demand

Demand for Medical Laboratory Scientists and Technicians is projected to grow 11 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. An increase in the aging population is expected to lead to a greater need to diagnose medical conditions, such as cancer or type 2 diabetes, through laboratory procedures. Medical Laboratory Scientists and Technicians will be in demand to use and maintain the equipment needed for diagnosis and treatment.

Employers look for professionals who can: 

• Understand how to operate computerized lab equipment
• Follow exact instructions in order to perform tests or procedures correctly
• Work closely with precision laboratory instruments
• Enter data from analysis of medical tests or clinical results into computer for storage
• Spend workdays in laboratories, often away from face-to-face patient contact

Paths that can lead to this career

A bachelor's degree in medical technology or biomedical sciences can prepare you to earn an M.S. in Clinical Laboratory Sciences for an advanced understanding of clinical testing techniques.

Job titles and employers

Medical Laboratory Technologist

Places of work for this career:

• General medical and surgical hospitals
• Medical and diagnostic laboratories
• Physicians offices
• Outpatient care centers

To find out detailed salary information and more information on this career, you can explore the Department of Labor's O*Net database.

Organizations to check out for this career:

• AABB 
• American Association of Bioanalysts
• American Medical Technologists
• American Society for Clinical Pathology
• American Society for Cytotechnology
• American Society of Cytopathology
• Clinical Laboratory Management Association
• Department of Health and Human Services
• National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences 

Next steps