:: ASCLS-ND • Student Information::

To view the Adobe PDF files on this site, click on the button above to download the FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader


What does a clinical laboratory scientist/technician do?
Clinical laboratory testing plays a crucial role in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of disease in patients. Across the world, laboratory tests help determine the presence, extent or absence of disease and monitor the effectiveness of treatment. It’s estimated that 60 to 70 percent of all decisions regarding a patient’s diagnosis and treatment, hospital admission and discharge are based on laboratory test results. *Clinical laboratory scientists,* also referred to as clinical laboratory technologists or medical technologists, and clinical laboratory technicians, also known as medical technicians or medical laboratory technicians, perform most laboratory tests.		• Career Opportunities • Salaries • Links to Schools • Scholarship Opportunities
More About Clinical Laboratory Sciences... Clinical laboratory personnel microscopically examine and analyze body fluids (e.g., urine, peritoneal fluid, cerebrospinal fluid), tissues and cells. They look for bacteria, parasites and other microorganisms, analyze the chemical content of fluids, match blood for transfusions, and test for drug levels in the blood to show how a patient is responding to treatment. Laboratory workers make cultures of body fluid and tissue samples to determine the presence of bacteria, fungi, parasites or other microorganisms. They analyze samples for chemical content or reaction and determine blood glucose and cholesterol levels. They also type and crossmatch blood samples for transfusions. Laboratory technologists and technicians also prepare specimens for examination, count cells, and look for abnormal cells. They use sophisticated equipment and instruments capable of performing a number of tests simultaneously, as well as microscopes, cell counters, and other high-precision laboratory equipment. Then, they analyze the results and relay them to physicians. With increasing automation and the use of computer technology, the work of technologists and technicians is quite analytical. The complexity of tests performed, the level of judgment needed, and the amount of responsibility laboratory technologists assume will depend largely on the amount of education and experience they have. Clinical laboratory scientists, which includes medical and clinical laboratory technologists, generally have a baccalaureate degree in clinical laboratory science, medical technology or a life science, or they have a combination of formal training and work experience. They perform complex chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic and bacteriological tests, requiring significant analytical and independent judgment. Clinical laboratory scientists evaluate test results, develop and modify procedures, and establish and monitor programs, to ensure the accuracy of tests. Some clinical laboratory scientists supervise medical and clinical laboratory technicians. Laboratory scientists in small labs perform many types of tests, whereas those in large labs generally specialize. Their training also qualifies them to work in industry, and many laboratory personnel choose to work in the research and development branch of a commercial laboratory developing new technology or in the marketing and sales of laboratory equipment and products. Clinical laboratory technicians generally have an associate’s degree and may work in all areas of the laboratory including chemistry, microbiology, transfusion medicine, immunology, hematology and genetics, or they may specialize and develop one expertise such as virology, molecular genetics and cytogenetics. They work under the supervision of technologists and make fewer decisions independently. Laboratory technicians may work in a hospital laboratory or an outpatient clinic as well as a reference laboratory.
*Career Opportunities*		back to top
Job opportunities are expected to be excellent, because the number of job openings is expected to continue to exceed the number of job seekers. Employment of clinical laboratory workers is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2012, as the volume of laboratory tests increases with both population growth and the development of new types of tests. The advancements in bioengineering have created numerous career opportunities in commercial, biotechnology, industrial and pharmaceutical companies. Laboratory scientists/technicians with computer experience and/or training are eligible for jobs with their company’s computer systems support groups or with information technology companies. Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians held about 295,000 jobs in 2000. About half worked in hospitals. Most of the remaining jobs were found in medical laboratories or offices and clinics of physicians. A small number were in blood banks, research and testing laboratories, and in the federal government at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals and U.S. Public Health Service facilities.
*Salaries*		back to top
Median annual earnings of medical and clinical laboratory technologists were $40,510 in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $34,220 and $47,460. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,240 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $55,560. Median annual earnings of medical and clinical laboratory technicians were $27,540 in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $22,260 and $34,320. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $18,550 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $42,370.
*Links to Schools*		back to top
Bismarck State College North Dakota State University University of North Dakota Minnesota State University Moorhead Northland Community & Technical College
*Scholarship Opportunities*		back to top
American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science Several undergraduate and graduate CLS scholarships are linked to this website. See "Education" and then "Scholarship" links. North Dakota Society for CLS Student ASCLS/NDCLS members who are currently enrolled in their final year of an accredited clinical laboratory science program in North Dakota are eligible. The number and amount of the scholarships are approved by the NDSCLS on an annual basis. Three scholarships in the amount of $500.00 each were allocated for 2002. Applications are available each spring from the NDSCLS secretary/treasurer. An application, brief essay (100 words or less) which outlines your plans for a career in CLS, and transcript of CLS program grades are required.