Clinical Laboratory Technician

The Clinical Laboratory Technician program prepares students for all functions in clinical laboratory (clinical chemistry, coagulation, hematology, immunohematology, immunology, microbiology, and urinalysis). Learned are routine test procedures of moderate and high complexity.
 About the Profession
Medical laboratory technology or clinical laboratory science provides health information based on the examination of body fluids, tissue, and cells through collaborative efforts of various clinics. In clinical chemistry, the levels of blood constituents are analyzed (i.e. blood glucose, cholesterol, etc.); in coagulation, blood clotting disorders are analyzed; in hematology, red blood cells and white blood cells are evaluated in assessing anemias and leukemias; in immunohematology, blood is typed and crossmatched for transfusions; in immunology, blood is analyzed for the presence of antigens and antibodies which signal diseases; in microbiology, various specimens (i.e. blood, urine, feces, wound, etc.) are cultured and examined for the presence of disease-producing microorganisms and their susceptibility to antibiotics; in phlebotomy, blood drawing skills are acquired; and in urinalysis, urine is analyzed for the diagnosis of renal diseases, diabetes and other metabolic disorders.
Clinical laboratory testing plays a crucial role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. The practice of modern medicine would be impossible without the tests performed in the clinical laboratory.
Clinical Laboratory Technicians (CLT) may advance to the Medical Technology (MT) level with additional education and/or work experience.
Skills and Aptitudes

• Communicates with patients, families, and other health care professionals
• Works well as part of a team
• Works quickly and accurately under stress
• Operates technical equipment
• Detail oriented and observant
• Alert, attentive, patient and tactful
• Manual dexterity
• Able to stand for long hours
• Lift, carry, push or pull objects up to 15 pounds