In the Air Force:
Aerospace and Operational Physiologist; Biomedical Laboratory, Environmental and Industrial Hygiene Chemistry; Dental Assistant Apprentice; Dental Assistant Journeyman, Dental Hygienist; Health Services Management Journeyman; Histopathology Craftsman; Medical Laboratory Craftsman; Pathologist, Cytology; Pathologist, Neuropathology; Respiratory Care Practitioner Apprentice; Respiratory Care Practitioner Superintendent
In the Army:
Allied Sciences; Biochemistry; Clinical Laboratory; Medical Laboratory Specialist; Medical Service Corps Officer; Microbiology; Nuclear Medical Science; Pathologist; Respiratory Specialist; Special Forces Medical Sergeant
In the Coast Guard:
Health Services Technician; Medical Administration Specialty
In the Navy:
Aerospace Medical Technician; Cardiovascular Technician; Electroneurodiagnostic Technologist; Hemodialysis/Apheresis Technician; Hospital Corpsman; Medical Laboratory Technician; Pathologist; Preventive Medicine Technician; Respiratory Therapist; Submarine Force Independent Duty Corpsman
When a doctor orders a series of tests on a patient, it’s the job of medical and clinical laboratory technologists and technicians to prepare and perform those tests to help detect diseases or abnormalities. These professionals analyze body fluids, tissue, and cells. Using powerful medical equipment, they look for bacteria, parasites, and abnormal cells. They also analyze cholesterol levels, and cross-match blood samples for transfusions, documenting their results in reports or patient medical records. Since they regularly handle samples and medical instruments contaminated by infectious microbes, they wear protective goggles, gloves, and masks to minimize the risk of contagion. In larger labs and hospitals, technologists and technicians tend to specialize in areas like blood work or microbiology. Most work full-time. In general, technologists supervise the work of technicians. Technicians need an associate’s degree in clinical laboratory science, and technologists need a bachelor’s degree in medical technology or life sciences. Licensure is required in some states, and certification is often preferred by employers. The work can be stressful, especially when they must perform complex tests accurately and in a limited time. However, they gain satisfaction from knowing they’ve provided the vital information doctors need to save lives… or cure diseases.
What they do:
Perform complex medical laboratory tests for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May train or supervise staff.
On the job, you would:
Conduct chemical analysis of body fluids, including blood, urine, or spinal fluid, to determine presence of normal or abnormal components.
Analyze laboratory findings to check the accuracy of the results.
Operate, calibrate, or maintain equipment used in quantitative or qualitative analysis, such as spectrophotometers, calorimeters, flame photometers, or computer-controlled analyzers.
Health
medicine and dentistry
Math and Science
biology
chemistry
Business
customer service
administrative services
Arts and Humanities
English language
Basic Skills
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
reading work related information
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Verbal
read and understand what is written
listen and understand what people say
Ideas and Logic
make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
use rules to solve problems
Hand and Finger Use
keep your arm or hand steady
put together small parts with your fingers
Visual Understanding
see hidden patterns
People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
Attention to Detail
Dependability
Integrity
Analytical Thinking
Cooperation
Stress Tolerance
You might use software like this on the job:
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Medical software
MEDITECH software
Test routing software
bachelor's degree or associate's degree usually needed
In the military:
see titles from the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, or Navy.
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