Medical Laboratory Science Profession

Medical laboratory scientists use their biomedical expertise to:

• provide information to physicians to help diagnose cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, leukemia, drug overdoses, and many other conditions;
• identify pathogens, determine their susceptibility to various drugs, and detect their drug-resistance mutations;
• prepare stem cells, red blood cells, and platelets for safe transfusion;
  
• use microscopy to identify abnormal cells and infectious agents in medical specimens;
• analyze DNA for mutations associated with genetic diseases; and
  
• monitor drug therapy to ensure patient safety.

Medical laboratory scientists have career opportunities in hospitals, physician offices, veterinary, and national and regional testing laboratories; biotechnology, pharmaceutical, chemical, and cosmetic industries; local, state, or federal health agencies; research and teaching institutions; advanced degrees in medicine and dentistry; and master's and doctoral degrees in clinical laboratory science and biomedical sciences.