The contribution of clinical laboratory sciences to patient care and to the health delivery system is primarily one of diagnostic services. The increasing number and wide range of diagnostic tests performed by clinical laboratory scientists/medical technologists requires frequent adaptation to new laboratory methodologies and instrumentation. Clinical medicine requires today's clinical laboratory scientist/medical technologist to be a highly qualified professional who is willing and able to expand and extend his/her theoretical knowledge and technical skills. Today's professional clinical laboratory scientist/medical technologist must develop technical expertise as well as teaching and administrative competence. He/She must be able to adapt to rapid changes in the field while maintaining an optimal level of performance. As a member of the health care team, the clinical laboratory scientist/medical technologist must have a basic understanding of the role of other health practitioners to function effectively and to provide the best possible care. Although work in clinical laboratory sciences often does not place the practitioner in direct contact with the patient, the clinical laboratory scientist/medical technologist must maintain compassion and empathy and accept the patient's welfare as the highest priority.