In the Air Force:
Aerospace Medical Service; Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice, Neurodiagnostic Medical Technician; Aerospace Medical Service Helper; Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman, Allergy/Immunization Technician; Dental Assistant; Dental Assistant Journeyman, Dental Hygienist; Health Services Management Journeyman; Histopathology Craftsman; Medical Laboratory Helper; Pathologist, Gynecology
In the Army:
Medical Laboratory Specialist; Pathologist
In the Coast Guard:
Health Services Technician; Medical Administration Specialty
In the Navy:
Cytotechnologist; Histopathology Technician; Hospital Corpsman; Medical Laboratory Technician; Pathologist
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:
Prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May assist with research studies.
On the job, you would:
Archive diagnostic material, such as histologic slides and blocks.
Cut sections of body tissues for microscopic examination, using microtomes.
Embed tissue specimens into paraffin wax blocks, or infiltrate tissue specimens with wax.
Knowledge information for this career will be available soon.
Skills information for this career will be available soon.
Abilities information for this career will be available soon.
Information for this career will be available soon.
In the military:
see titles from the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, or Navy.
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