Career Opportunities
Medical Laboratory Science is a dynamic and exciting profession that continually changes as new scientific and medical knowledge advances.
What Does A Medical Laboratory Scientist Do?
Medical laboratory scientists develop, perform, and evaluate laboratory tests leading to health assessment, diagnosis of disease, and monitoring therapeutic treatment. They use sophisticated biomedical instruments to generate accurate and reliable test results, interpret quality assurance parameters, troubleshoot analytical instruments, and develop and modify testing methods. It is estimated that 70% of all medical decisions are based on laboratory test results produced and reported by medical laboratory scientists.
Career Opportunities
- Hospital and private clinical laboratories
- Research: develop and test new methods
- Public health: state health laboratories, community health projects, environmental testing, Peace Corps
- Specialty laboratories: forensics, fertility, veterinary
- Biotechnology: product research/development, data analysis, quality assurance
- Sales and marketing: biomedical supply, pharmaceutical companies
- Laboratory computer systems
- Compliance inspectors: state and federal government, accreditation agencies
- Infection control
Employment Outlook And Opportunities
Coordinating Council on Clinical Laboratory Workforce
Coordinating Council on the Clinical Laboratory Workforce exists to ensure the supply of qualified laboratory professionals.
Employment and Salary information according to the U.S. Department of Labor; Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook
The American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) is the preeminent organization representing the clinical/medical laboratory professional.