A technologist is a person who specializes in using technology. While similar to a technician, the two are not the same. Where both are employed, a technician works for a technologist. A technician is someone with a basic knowledge of a technology. A technologist is someone who completely understands the technology and other technologies that can be applied. In the field of health care, for example, both may be called a "lab tech". While they may have overlapping duties, a laboratory or lab technician performs the duties he or she is trained for. The lab technologist is the project manager who supervises the lab.