The clinical laboratory scientist is an important member of the health-care team. Closely involved in diagnosis, treatment, and preventive medicine, clinical laboratory scientists work in clinical laboratories where they perform and interpret tests on blood and body fluids to help the physician in diagnosis. Their follow-up testing helps monitor the patient during the treatment phase. They also may perform screening tests on the general population to detect hidden diseases.

As the health-care industry grows to meet the demands of the population, most health-care facilities are expanding their clinical laboratory staffs. New and challenging positions are available in hospitals, clinics, doctors' offices, health departments, industry, pharmaceutical companies (sales and research), and educational institutions.

A clinical laboratory scientist also has abundant options for graduate study. Graduates may choose to specialize in a specific laboratory discipline at the master's or doctoral levels or enter medical school and other professional schools.