The personality traits of medical technologists: implications for recruitment and retention.

Clinical laboratory science is in the midst of a perfect storm. The turbulent nature of the employment market along with diagnostic pathology's mission to develop new, powerful diagnostic tools imply a future that will be both challenging and rewarding. Yet, success in the future will require immediate attention to current issues of recruitment, retention and expansion of the medical technologist's role. An analysis of the personality traits of medical technologists may provide insight into work preferences as they relate to job satisfaction and willingness to accept the changes in the profession. In this study, we will attempt to gain this insight through examination of a personality profile of a group of medical technologists.