Jobs in medical laboratories include medical technicians, medical scientists, and pathologists that collect samples and perform tests to analyze body fluids, tissue, and other substances to diagnose and treat diseases. More specialized positions may include phlebotomy technicians and phlebotomists, histotechnicians, cytotechnologists, and microbiologists.
Medical laboratories are staffed by medical technologists and medical scientists who collect and perform tests on blood, urine, tissue samples, and body fluids to reveal the presence of a disease or condition. In the United States, the medical technician works under the supervision of the scientist and typically operates and maintains instruments, machinery, and equipment handles the collection and preparation of the samples and records results. The medical scientist may oversee the work of the technician, perform a deeper analysis, interpret data and results and prepare reports to the physician or hospital that initiated the testing.