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Career Profile: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist - Chris King
Chris King, M.S., Medical Technologist, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health
National Institutes of Health: Office of Science Education
I chose this career because…
I chose to become a medical technologist, because I liked the challenging college program and the job outlook. When I started college, I intended to major in sociology. However, one of my classes was called “the sociology of deviant behavior”. Course requirements included working with prison inmates on-site. I didn’t think I could do that, so I dropped the course, and started rethinking my career choice.
More on Clinical Lab Techs
Salary: $49,7000r
Min. Education: Bachelor's
Related Careers: Nuclear Med Tech, Biological Technician
Education and Certification
• Master of Science, Educational Psychology/Counseling, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Bachelor of Science, Medical Technology, University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, Wisconsin
• Certification, American Society for Clinical Pathologists Board of Registry
My typical workday involves…
My typical workday involves completing laboratory and administrative tasks. As a mid-level supervisor, I have the best of both worlds. I get to perform laboratory bench-work as a scientist, and also carryout administrative tasks at my desk. The Department of Laboratory Medicine (DLM), is divided by the services we offer. These divisions generally correspond to a specific branch of science, for example, chemistry, microbiology, and immunology. Each service area has a team leader who is chosen because he/she is a specialist in the area. I am the team leader of the chemistry section of DLM.
My major tasks and duties include:
• Handling daily staffing issues – Each morning I make sure the chemistry section is staffed properly, and that there are enough people to work in each sub-section of the laboratory.
• Setting-up and testing equipment – I often help set-up and test the equipment we use each day, especially when we are short of staff.
