Description
Perform routine clinical microbiology testing to detect, isolate, and identify infectious agents and support diagnosis, treatment, and infection prevention. Work under the supervision of a medical technologist or microbiologist while adhering to biosafety and quality standards.
- • Receive, accession, and process patient specimens using aseptic technique and a laboratory information system (LIMS).
- • Culture specimens on appropriate media and incubate under required atmospheric and temperature conditions.
- • Isolate and identify bacteria, fungi, and parasites using biochemical tests, MALDI-TOF, or automated systems.
- • Perform Gram, acid-fast, and fungal stains and interpret microscopic findings.
- • Conduct antimicrobial susceptibility testing and determine MICs according to CLSI guidelines.
- • Perform rapid antigen, serology, or molecular assays (e.g., PCR/NAAT) for targeted pathogens.
- • Validate results against quality controls and instrument performance criteria; troubleshoot discrepancies.
- • Record and report organism identifications, colony counts, and susceptibility results; issue critical alerts promptly.
- • Prepare, label, and quality-check culture media, stains, and reagents following SOPs.
- • Set up, maintain, calibrate, and clean incubators, biosafety cabinets, autoclaves, and ID/AST instruments; verify sterility.
- • Consult with a microbiologist or senior technologist on unusual isolates or complex results.
- • Train or guide new technicians or laboratory assistants in microbiology procedures and safety practices.
- • Participate in infection control surveillance, environmental cultures, or sterility testing as required; comply with CLIA/CAP and biosafety policies.
Related specializations
Interview options
Interview options
Interviewee gender
Interviewee accent
Interview time
Related Pathways
Healthcare & Human Services
View
Source
Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
Learn more
Sources & Standards:
This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
