This profession is rapidly expanding into several specialties and sub-specialities of these primary areas of practice. Examples of some of the fastest growth areas offering new employment opportunities for clinical lab scientists are:
A majority of clinical laboratory professionals work in hospitals. Many others work in healthcare related industries. The biotechnology, environmental, pharmaceutical, and diagnostic products fields, in particular, employ medical technologists.
Many opportunities are available in the area of gathering data for clinical trials of drugs and diagnostic products. Clinical laboratory professionals also perform tests, supervise, and conduct research in environmental, food and chemical manufacturing laboratories.
As hospitals merge, opportunities are opening up for overall management of diagnostic services, including laboratories, medical imaging and pharmacy. Jobs are frequently available in infection control and organizational quality management. Laboratory professionals are finding employment in industry as consultants and product information and customer support specialists. There is a growing need for well-trained medical technologists to staff and manage the nation's diagnostic, industrial and research laboratories.
