Clinical Laboratory Scientist Profile

Career Ladder

Clinical laboratory scientists are responsible for the most complex clinical laboratory testing. They also provide supervision and oversight to other laboratory professionals such as medical laboratory technicians, phlebotomists and laboratory assistants. The clinical laboratory scientist must have strong interpretive skills and be capable of independent judgment and decision making.

Nature of the Work

Clinical laboratory scientists perform complex laboratory analysis for biological, chemical, microscopic, hematological, microscopic, bacteriological and immunological specimens and tests. Clinical laboratory scientists evaluate test results, develop and modify procedures, and establish and modify programs to ensure the accuracy of test results. Clinical laboratory scientists can be generalists and perform testing in all applicable disciplines. Clinical laboratory scientists who work in large laboratories often specialize in a discipline such as hematology or chemistry. Technological advances have required increased analytical and independent judgment skills in the clinical laboratory sciences.

Work Environment

Clinical laboratory personnel work in a variety of settings including hospital, reference and medical research laboratories. They are also employed in blood banks and physicians' offices. The employment setting may require working day, evening or night shifts as well as weekends and holidays. The work requires appropriate infection control measures and apparel and may require long periods of standing. Clinical laboratory scientists often find work in industry outside traditional medical settings including food science and education.

Education, Training and Certification

Clinical laboratory scientists have, at minimum, a bachelors degree or the equivalent and a year of clinical training. California requires that all clinical laboratory scientists be licensed by the State of California, Department of Public Health, Laboratory Field Services Division. Contact Laboratory Field Services for further details.

Advancement and Job Outlook

Clinical laboratory scientists may advance to area supervisors, laboratory managers and directors, or move into hospital administration in many capacities. Clinical laboratory scientists often go on to receive advance degrees at the masters or doctorate level and branch out into academics. Others become physicians and other advanced degree health professionals.

The job outlook is excellent. Shortages are high and the number of new graduates fails to meet the needs of healthcare by more than half each year.

Salary

TBD

Educational Programs

For a complete list of programs contact Laboratory Field Services at (510) 620-3800 or http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/lfs/Pages/TrainingPrograms.aspx