Technologists: Perform a wide range of complex procedures in the general area of the clinical laboratory or perform specialized procedures in such areas as cytology, histology, and microbiology. Duties may include supervising and coordinating activities of workers engaged in laboratory testing. Include workers who teach medical technology when teaching is not their primary activity.

Wages by California County
• OES Survey
• CCOIS Survey

Hours & Benefits
Full-time technologists work eight hours a day, five days a week. Working weekends and holidays are usually rotated among the technologist's schedules within the lab. Technologists who work evenings, night shifts, overtime, or "stand-by" usually receive extra pay. Many firms have three shifts: day, swing, and night. The most common hours are from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. for days, 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. for the swing shift, and from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. for the night shift.

Most employers provide paid vacations, sick leave, partial to full retirement plans, medical, dental, and vision insurance.

Employment Trends, California

Employment 1998	14,700
Projected Employment 2008	20,000
Growth Rate 1998-2008	36.1%
Openings due to Separations	2,200

Employment Trends by California County

Working Conditions
Laboratories generally are well-lighted and clean; however, specimens, solutions, and reagents used in the laboratory to detect or measure substances sometimes produce odors. Laboratory workers may spend a great deal of time standing.

Advancement
Technologists may become "working" supervisors, who coordinate and perform the work of a single unit or shift. Some technologists advance to administrators who plan and oversee all laboratory operations.

Technologists with a least four years of varied experience and advanced education may qualify for the Clinical Laboratory Bioanalyst license which allows them to direct an independent laboratory. Some technologists go into related fields of work, such as medical or drug research, public health, nuclear medical technology, or technical equipment sales.

Getting the Job & Other Information
The California Association for Medical Laboratory Technology (CAMLT) often lists openings for employers who are recruiting. Jobseekers should also check classified ads in newspapers and medical lab journals, network with other technologists and former instructors, and apply directly with medical labs and health service centers.

* 1993-1995 EDD, California Cooperative Occupational Information System

For a list of current job listing, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

• Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology that includes one year of approved training in a clinical lab.
• Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Clinical Laboratory studies or a closely related field that includes required course work, plus one year approved training in a clinical laboratory.
• Ninety semester units or equivalent quarter units that include clinical laboratory or closely related courses and completion of two years of approved clinical training are necessary for licensure.

Community college students who plan to transfer to a four year degree program in medical technology should obtain an associate degree in natural sciences.

High school students should take biology, chemistry and mathematics as preparation toward this career.

Technologist trainees are usually hired by the laboratory where they interned, therefore, an internship is a vital step in a technologist's career.

References
California Occupational Guide: #17

Related Occupations: Microbiologists

Training: California Training and Education Providers (CTEP)