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Medical laboratory scientist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
Quoted experts
Dr. Stacy Walz Ph.D,
Jennifer Larimore Ph.D.
Medical laboratory scientist example skills
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical medical laboratory scientist skills. We ranked the top skills for medical laboratory scientists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 12.8% of medical laboratory scientist resumes contained patients as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a medical laboratory scientist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 medical laboratory scientist skills for your resume and career

1. Patients

Here's how medical laboratory scientists use patients:
  • Performed tests on both pediatric and adult patients including high complexity analysis and other laboratory examinations as requested by physicians.
  • Supported physicians in transfusion therapy for oncology patients, patients with coagulation abnormalities and candidates of organ transplant.

2. ASCP

Here's how medical laboratory scientists use ascp:
  • Key projects/skills: Technical/scientific broad experience concurrent with all or most technical requirements for ASCP certified medical technology.
  • Experienced and ASCP certified Medical Technologist with a specialization in Molecular Diagnostics and a thorough working knowledge of CLIA Laboratory practices.

3. Clinical Laboratory

Here's how medical laboratory scientists use clinical laboratory:
  • Followed established procedures to perform routine clinical laboratory testing including administrative support and general clerical tasks.
  • Performed clinical laboratory testing in order to provide information for diagnosing and treating infectious diseases.

4. MLS

MLS means multiple listings services that depict a private or personal offer and contribution of an organization done by listing brokers and other real estate brokers. It refers to a database created involving real estate brokers to give information or data concerning all property or estates on sale. In it, both parties involved in the agreement benefit by sharing the commission and information.

Here's how medical laboratory scientists use mls:
  • Hired as a full-time MLS in a busy hospital, performing many lab procedures and verifying results.
  • Worked as an MLS in Memorial Hospital Central's GenLab, rotating through Chemistry and Hematology benches.

5. Proficiency Testing

Here's how medical laboratory scientists use proficiency testing:
  • Participate in proficiency testing of unknowns and internal and external continuing education programs to keep current of developments within field.
  • Coordinated and Monitored the Quality Control and Proficiency Testing programs for entire qualified staff through analysis and control of quality.

6. Patient Care

Patient care entails the diagnosis, recovery, and control of sickness as well as the maintenance of physical and emotional well-being through the use of healthcare providers' services. Patient care is described as services provided to patients by health practitioners or non-professionals under guidance.

Here's how medical laboratory scientists use patient care:
  • Cross-trained in microbiology and chemistry to expedite specimen results to providers and improve patient care.
  • Communicate laboratory results to physicians, pathologist and nursing staff to ensure quality patient care.

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7. CLIA

Here's how medical laboratory scientists use clia:
  • Participate in annual North Carolina state laboratory Inspection to maintain CLIA certification.
  • Perform CLIA waived tests and the associated quality control as defined in the laboratory's work instructions.

8. Laboratory Tests

Here's how medical laboratory scientists use laboratory tests:
  • Performed laboratory tests in compliance with department and regulatory procedures in Blood Banking, Hematology, Chemistry and Microbiology.
  • Performed Chemistry, Hematological and Microbiological laboratory testing on multiple types of specimens using automated and manual procedures.

9. Microbiology

Here's how medical laboratory scientists use microbiology:
  • Review and analyze daily quality control data and takes the appropriate steps to insure quality results associated with microbiology procedures.
  • Perform diagnostic laboratory testing, necessary instrument maintenance & validation, & appropriate quality control in Microbiology department.

10. Hematology

Hematology is the name of that branch of medicine that deals with all the matters pertaining to blood. The branch also deals with the treatment of blood-related diseases, predicting the outcome of developing diseases, the prevention of all such diseases, and their treatment.

Here's how medical laboratory scientists use hematology:
  • Managed Hematology Laboratory Department Inventory.
  • Performed basic and advanced hematology and serology examination of veterinary specimens in a high paced, high volume reference laboratory.

11. Instrument Maintenance

Instrument maintenance can be defined as the effort to maintain the condition and performance of an instrument as usual, such as the condition and performance of the instrument when new. A well-maintained instrument sounds much better.

Here's how medical laboratory scientists use instrument maintenance:
  • Performed blood bank, chemistry, hematology/coagulation testing in highly automated and fast-paced environment Performed instrument maintenance and troubleshooting as needed
  • Perform regular and acute instrument maintenance in accordance with established instructions.

12. Laboratory Procedures

Here's how medical laboratory scientists use laboratory procedures:
  • Performed routine and complex laboratory procedures recognizing deviation from expected results and analyze problems using the scientific principles.
  • Performed both routine and fairly complex diagnostic laboratory procedures in accordance with prescribed techniques and methods.

13. QC

Quality control is a set of instructions or procedures to ensure a manufactured product or a service is up to the highest quality standards. This set of quality control criteria are either defined by the clients or the company itself.

Here's how medical laboratory scientists use qc:
  • Maintained necessary QC for diagnostic and supportive equipment and reagents and documented any needed corrective actions.
  • Performed routine maintenance, along with evaluating daily QC and calibrations on automated instruments.

14. Urinalysis

Urinalysis can be defined as a urine test that helps examine the physical and chemical properties of urine. A test of this nature is mostly conducted to help aid in various medical diagnoses. The examination is carried out through test strips and as well through microscopes. Factors such as odor, color, transparency, and even volume play a key role in forming a diagnosis.

Here's how medical laboratory scientists use urinalysis:
  • Performed routine coagulation studies and urinalysis * Performed quality control testing * Reported data to medical records using Laboratory Information System
  • Experienced with manual and automated methods of urinalysis and body fluid analysis.

15. Blood Bank

A blood bank is a place where blood is gathered, stored, and preserved for later use for blood transfusion. A blood bank is also referred to a department of a hospital where blood and plasma are stored after testing it. It is also responsible for separating blood components like platelets, red blood cells and plasma from that blood and returning the remaining components to the donor.

Here's how medical laboratory scientists use blood bank:
  • Performed complex blood bank testing to identify clinically significant antibodies and assure safe and error-free transfusion medicine.
  • Oversee Blood Bank on night shift including staff and daily operations/traumas/massive transfusion protocols when necessary.
top-skills

What skills help Medical Laboratory Scientists find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on medical laboratory scientist resumes?

Dr. Stacy Walz Ph.DDr. Stacy Walz Ph.D LinkedIn profile

Department Chair, Assistant Dean for Special Projects, College of Nursing & Health Professions, Arkansas State University - Jonesboro

Resiliency, quick-to-learn, team player, excellent communication skills, experience with molecular testing methods, attention to detail, initiative.

What soft skills should all medical laboratory scientists possess?

Jennifer Larimore Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Agnes Scott College

Teamwork, leadership, working with a diverse team.

What hard/technical skills are most important for medical laboratory scientists?

Jennifer Larimore Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Agnes Scott College

Ability to run PCRs, ability to run gel electrophoresis, statistical analysis

What medical laboratory scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Gerald Bergtrom Ph.D.Gerald Bergtrom Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Professor of Biological Sciences (Emeritus) & Teaching & Learning Consultant, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

The answers here depend on why the gap year is needed. If the need is to have an income, this would need to be balanced against other desirable needs and wishes.
- Thinking about a whole gap year, the student should make a long-term commitment to skills improvement and fill in gaps in a resume or job application.
-If the new graduate can afford it, spend some time traveling, to be exposed to different cultures and languages. If the student lives in an area with a growing LatinX population, learning some Spanish would be useful.
-If it looks like the gap year will not include activities related to the job they hope to get at the end of the year, then take at least one STEM course in their area of interest so as not to lose their edge. This could be an online course (for example, a MOOC). Do it for credit if necessary, to prove (to themselves and others) that they still love and want to succeed in science.

What type of skills will young medical laboratory scientists need?

Keith Belcher Ph.D.

Professor, Medical Laboratory Science Director, Medical Laboratory Science Program, Georgia Southern University-Armstrong Campus

Technology in the field of medical laboratory science is undergoing rapid change, so the knowledge, skills, and abilities of a medical laboratory scientist are constantly evolving; the most rapid change is occurring in the field of molecular diagnostics. To keep up with those changes in our program, we are constantly updating our curriculum and introducing the use of more molecular technology to our students. Students are currently trained in the classical areas of microbiology, immunology, immunohematology, hematology, and analysis of urine and body fluids. As testing protocols for each of these classic areas change, we attempt to keep up with those changes. It is like trying to hit a continuously moving target. We try to provide our students with the necessary skills and abilities to be able to adapt to this constantly changing field.

List of medical laboratory scientist skills to add to your resume

Medical laboratory scientist skills

The most important skills for a medical laboratory scientist resume and required skills for a medical laboratory scientist to have include:

  • Patients
  • ASCP
  • Clinical Laboratory
  • MLS
  • Proficiency Testing
  • Patient Care
  • CLIA
  • Laboratory Tests
  • Microbiology
  • Hematology
  • Instrument Maintenance
  • Laboratory Procedures
  • QC
  • Urinalysis
  • Blood Bank
  • OSHA
  • Specimen Handling
  • Patient Specimens
  • Perform Routine Maintenance
  • Compassion
  • Phlebotomy
  • LIS
  • Laboratory Policies
  • Immunology
  • Preventative Maintenance
  • Patient Samples
  • Patient Results
  • Quality Control Procedures
  • Standard Operating Procedure
  • Specimen Processing
  • Critical Results
  • Routine Maintenance
  • Blood Products
  • Stat
  • Critical Values
  • Laboratory Instruments
  • QA
  • Serology
  • Antibody Identification
  • Clinical Chemistry
  • Microorganisms
  • Lab Results
  • PCR
  • Pathogens
  • AABB
  • Lab Equipment
  • PT
  • Extraction
  • Centrifuges

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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