If you like searching for the reasons people are sick and love doing hands on work, then selecting a career as a clinical or medical laboratory technologist or technician may be just the job for you. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment is expected to rise by 14 percent between 2006 and 2016. So if the idea of working on the scientific side of the medical profession, perhaps a degree in laboratory technology would be an excellent move for you.
Lab Technician Career Training and Education
Regulations vary from state-to-state, but certification is highly recommended because many employers may require it. Training for a Lab Tech will not only include your high school diploma or GED, but you will need to complete an accredited medical lab tech program, usually a 1-2 year associate degree or certificate program from a community college. Students receive a combination of classroom and laboratory instruction with courses in immunology, hematology, biochemistry, microbiology and mathematics. Gradutes may then earn their certiification as a CLT through the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) online which offers continuing education courses on specimen collection, laboratory quality control and error prevention. They may recieve training before finding a full-time position and generally recieve some on-the-job training at the start of any new position’
The most common degree for laboratory technicians is an associate of applied science degree. Some students may pursue a certificate program in a career-specific field or bachelor’s degree in a related scientific field. Technicians will gerally work under the supervision of a technologist who has more education, experience and training than a technician. Medical and clinical laboratory technicians have less responsibilty and perform less complex tests and laboratory procedures than technologists.
Some students may pursue a certificate program in a career-specific field or bachelor’s degree in a related scientific field such as an Associate of Applied Science in Laboratory Technician which is a 2-year undergraduate degree program designed to prepare students for immediae entry in the workforce. Courses students may complete at lab technician schools are topics like clinical chemistry, bacteriology and medical technology as well as some general education courses in English composition and college math. Below you will find a list of reputable lab technician schools. Some lab tech schools are located in multiple locations. For more information on each school, please visit their direct web sites.
Lab Technician Schools
1. DeVry University -Phoenix (Undergrad)
2149 Dunlap Avenue
Phoenix, AZ. 85021-2995
2. Institute for Business & Technology
2400 Walsh Avenue
Santa Clara, Ca. 95051
3. Rasmussen College
9160 Forum Corporate Pky.
Suite 100
Fort Myers, FL. 33905
4 Angly College – Online
5. MedVance Institute
Houston South Campus
6220 Westpark Dr., Ste. 180
Houston, Texas 77057
Lab Technician Job Description
Many lab technicians gain experience in the field before applying for jobs. Some degree programs offer students the chance to engage in clinical internships with local laboratories. Others may take part in an apprenticeship or extended training program with the understanding that they will be hired after a particular period of time. Most laboratory technicians work in hospitals, though many are also found in physicians offices and in medical and diagnostic laboratories.
As a medical laboratory technician you will work under the supervision of a medical technologis or physician to perform tests on tissue blood and body fluids to help physicians diagnose and treat diseases. Your typical duties as a lab tech will also include using sophisticaated laboratory equipment to look for bacteria, parasites and other microorganisms,monitoring tests aand procedures, analyzing the chemical conten of fluids, matcing blood for transfusions and testing for drug levels in the blood toshow how a atient is responding to treatment.
Lab Technician Salary
Job prospects for credentialed candidates are excellent according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with employment expected to rise by 14 percent between 2006 and 2016. According to the American Medical Association, the median salary for medical lab technicians is $34,270 per year, but more experienced lab techs earned up to $52,000 in 2007.
Of course as with any other job, your salary will depend much on several different aspects. One of such is your location, which not only includes your physical location, but also your geographical location. Alllso the economic situation of each state will play a big part as to the amount of salary you can expect. Also, will you be working in a small physician’s office or a large hospital, etc…
Keep in mind that the more schooling you have, the better your chances are of getting hired on at a higher rate of income. Also your previous job experience, the more years you have spent on the job will naturally land you a better pay annually. So with knowledge and experience comes promotions and raises.
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