According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Conduct chemical analysis of body fluids, including blood, urine, or spinal fluid, to determine presence of normal or abnormal components. | 98% |
| Analyze laboratory findings to check the accuracy of the results. | 98% |
| Operate, calibrate, or maintain equipment used in quantitative or qualitative analysis, such as spectrophotometers, calorimeters, flame photometers, or computer-controlled analyzers. | 96% |
| Collect and study blood samples to determine the number of cells, their morphology, or their blood group, blood type, or compatibility for transfusion purposes, using microscopic techniques. | 96% |
| Enter data from analysis of medical tests or clinical results into computer for storage. | 95% |
| Establish or monitor quality assurance programs or activities to ensure the accuracy of laboratory results. | 94% |
| Analyze samples of biological material for chemical content or reaction. | 93% |
| Harvest cell cultures at optimum time, based on knowledge of cell cycle differences and culture conditions. | 92% |
| Set up, clean, and maintain laboratory equipment. | 91% |
| Select and prepare specimens and media for cell cultures, using aseptic technique and knowledge of medium components and cell requirements. | 90% |
| Provide technical information about test results to physicians, family members, or researchers. | 90% |
| Obtain, cut, stain, and mount biological material on slides for microscopic study and diagnosis, following standard laboratory procedures. | 89% |
| Cultivate, isolate, or assist in identifying microbial organisms or perform various tests on these microorganisms. | 87% |
| Supervise, train, or direct lab assistants, medical and clinical laboratory technicians or technologists, or other medical laboratory workers engaged in laboratory testing. | 80% |
| Develop, standardize, evaluate, or modify procedures, techniques, or tests used in the analysis of specimens or in medical laboratory experiments. | 78% |
| Conduct medical research under direction of microbiologist or biochemist. | 65% |
