How Burnout Can Prompt Exploration of Alternative Laboratory Careers

Medical laboratory professionals are vital yet often unrecognized contributors to the healthcare system. Unfortunately, a growing number of these professionals are facing career burnout. While the causes of burnout vary, the inevitable consequence is the potential loss of skilled and dedicated laboratory professionals to entirely unrelated fields. According to the 2020 ASCP vacancy survey, an alarming 44 percent of Medical Laboratory Professionals experiencing burnout are considering changing careers.¹ When ongoing burnout and talent loss are compounded by the rising retirement rate of experienced professionals,² it becomes clear that this is a critical issue demanding urgent attention. 

For the past two decades, the field of laboratory medicine has grappled with a declining number of passionate laboratory professionals.³ According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an average of 24,200 openings for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians are projected annually, with many resulting from the need to replace workers transitioning to other occupations or leaving the workforce entirely.⁴ By providing and promoting clear pathways to alternative careers within the laboratory field, the broader laboratory professional community can help retain these skilled individuals, preserving their dedication and advocacy for the profession. 

What burnout looks like 

To fully grasp how burnout is affecting medical laboratory professionals and driving them away from the field, it is essential to understand what burnout looks like in this specific context. Burnout is generally defined as a cluster of psychological symptoms stemming from a mismatch between an employee's expectations and the actual demands of their role. This mismatch can cause individuals to lose their ability to adapt to the work environment and develop negative attitudes toward their job. Common symptoms include exhaustion, depersonalization, and a diminished sense of personal accomplishment.⁵ 

In the laboratory, burnout may manifest as withdrawal from duties, dissatisfaction with one’s career, and a broader disconnection from the profession. Contributing factors often include high workloads and staffing shortages; the emotional toll of managing critical laboratory assessments and their implications for patient outcomes;⁶ limited opportunities for career advancement; and inadequate recognition or support from the larger healthcare system.⁷ While there are numerous strategies to address the causes and symptoms of burnout, it remains a persistent challenge across many professions.  

What makes burnout particularly critical in healthcare is its direct impact on patient care, underscoring the urgency of addressing it within the laboratory field.  

Burnout is so prevalent that 67 percent of adults aged 18 to 34 across various careers report that workplace stress “makes it difficult to focus.”⁸ While difficulty focusing is a widespread issue, it carries heightened significance in healthcare, where maintaining focus is critical to ensuring quality patient care. When burnout begins to take hold, a career change can feel like an escape. As focus wanes, the consequences can directly impact patient care, potentially making the job feel unfulfilling and in turn prompting laboratory professionals to consider leaving the field entirely. This is the critical juncture where introducing alternative, lab-related career paths can play a pivotal role in retaining skilled and passionate professionals within the laboratory field, preserving their expertise and dedication to healthcare. 

Alternative career paths for laboratory professionals

The broader laboratory professional community is uniquely positioned to guide those experiencing burnout toward exploring alternative careers within the laboratory field. These paths could include roles in industry or corporate settings, education and training, regulatory affairs, and compliance support. Transitioning into such careers can reignite passion, provide opportunities for growth, and help professionals avoid the seemingly inevitable burnout associated with traditional bench work. The education and skills acquired through formal laboratory training translate seamlessly to these roles. In fact, many industry and corporate organizations prioritize candidates with laboratory experience in their hiring practices. While these alternative roles may be removed from daily bench work and direct patient interactions, they maintain a strong sense of purpose and connection to patient care. Each career path contributes uniquely to the medical laboratory field, supporting patients and strengthening the overall healthcare system. 

Transitioning into alternative careers is rarely an overnight decision, particularly for those feeling dissatisfied with the profession as a whole. Many laboratory professionals may not even be aware that these roles exist or that their unique skill set is ideally suited for such career paths. This highlights the critical role of medical laboratory professional organizations in promoting and raising awareness about these alternative career opportunities. Additionally, industry leaders and hiring professionals must advocate for the value of recruiting talent with a laboratory background and credentials. By emphasizing the importance of these roles and fostering visibility, the profession can better support its members and ensure their skills are retained within the field. 

The most recent ASCP Vacancy Survey revealed that 10 percent of respondents were medical laboratory professionals working in industry, equipment, or pharmaceutical roles.⁹ The aim should be to see that percentage grow as the laboratory community increasingly embraces and highlights the success stories of professionals who have transitioned into these alternative career paths. By raising awareness of these opportunities, we can address burnout in traditional laboratory roles, ensuring that our skilled and educated workforce remains part of the larger laboratory professional community rather than leaving the field entirely. Promoting these paths—both from within the laboratory and through advocacy by industry leaders—not only retains talent but also shines a spotlight on the vital contributions of laboratory professionals, reframing their impact through a new lens. 

As a community, we have the chance to elevate our dedicated workforce, positioning them to influence industry trends, drive innovation, and shape the future of healthcare. By championing alternative careers, we’re not just keeping laboratory professionals in the field—we’re empowering them to lead, inspire, and ensure that the laboratory profession remains at the forefront of healthcare advancements. Together, we can ensure our vital workforce finds renewed purpose and continues to make a profound difference.