Clinical Laboratory Technician
Profile of the CLT Profession:
A Clinical Laboratory Technician (CLT) solves medical mysteries and provides answers to critical questions for physicians and nurses concerning a patient. The CLT plays a significant role by performing tests on body fluids that influence the diagnosis and treatment of a patient thereby helping to solve a patient's medical problem. From the test results, clues to the absence, presence, extent and cause of disease may be found. Tests performed are in the general laboratory areas Hematology, Clinical Chemistry, Immunology, Coagulation, Urinalysis, Microbiology and Blood Banking.
Todays's Clinical Laboratory Technician is employed in many diverse medical settings ranging from hospital, reference, research, forensic, or physicians' office laboratories. Other employment opportunities include working in medical businesses such as medical instrument technicians or medical supply industries.
A CLT has knowledge of specific techniques and instruments and is able to recognize factors that directly affect procedures and test results. The individual also is qualified to monitor and perform quality control programs.
The prospective student must be physically able to move equipment, manipulate small objects, sit or stand for a period of time and collect body fluids from patients.
