Clinical laboratory testing plays a crucial role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Clinical laboratory scientists, also referred to as medical technologists, and clinical laboratory technologists, are part of the health care team that collaborates with physicians in the treatment of patients. They examine and analyze body fluids, cells, and tissues. They look for bacteria, parasites, and other microorganisms; analyze the chemical content of fluids; match blood for transfusions; and test for drug levels in the blood to show how a patient is responding to treatment. Technologists also prepare specimens for examination, count cells, and look for abnormal cells in blood and body fluids. They use automated equipment and computerized instruments capable of performing a number of tests simultaneously, as well as microscopes, cell counters, and other sophisticated laboratory equipment. They analyze the results and relay them to physicians.

Representative career opportunities for graduates of the Clinical Laboratory Science bachelor's degree are: * Hospital-based and private diagnostic clinical laboratory scientists* * Biotechnology * Laboratory research technicians (academia, industry, or government) * Pharmaceutical research (Research and Development) * Veterinary research * Education * Pharmaceutical marketing, sales, and quality assurance *Because there is currently a shortage of trained medical clinical laboratory scientists available to staff clinical diagnostic laboratories, the employment opportunities in this field are excellent. Go to the U.S. Department of Labor for a detailed description of this profession and current job outlook projections and national median wage data. Go to CollegeToolKit.com to search for salaries in this profession by state.