Medical Laboratory Technician Training Schools

Medical laboratory technician employment opportunities are expected to increase rapidly through 2014 and beyond. Medical lab technicians work in a variety of facilities, including medical clinics, hospitals, health facilities, businesses, for-profit laboratories, and private industry. There are plenty of positions available for qualified medical laboratory technicians.

Job Description
Medical laboratory technicians (also known as clinical laboratory technicians or medical technicians) prepare specimens for testing and perform manual lab tests to examine and analyze various body fluids and cells. They look for micro-organisms such as bacteria or parasites, and they analyze the chemical or hormonal content of fluids. Lab technicians may perform general tests in all laboratory areas or choose a specialty, such as pharmacy, cytology, virology, hematology, blood banking and immunology, or microbiology.

Education Requirements
To join the challenging and fast-growing career industry of medical laboratory technicians, the minimum requirement is an associate’s degree in medical technology. After receiving a degree, you may need to get licensed or registered, depending on what state you work in, so you will need to check with the department of health in your state. It is always recommended to get certified with a professional organization. Certification is voluntary, but it can be a big help when seeking your first medical laboratory job and advancing your career in the future. With experience and some additional study, some medical technicians become medical laboratory technicians. They perform more complicated lab tests and analysis, so additional training is essential. Career medical laboratory technicians must be accurate, skilled, dedicated, and self-motivated.

Programs to Consider:

Salary Range
As medicine becomes more and more advanced, researchers are discovering new ways of diagnosing illnesses and monitoring treatment through laboratory work. That’s good news for laboratory techs, who will find themselves in demand in hospitals, clinics, and laboratories for years to come! Salaries for medical lab technicians range according to experience, location, and education, but the median U.S. salary in May 2004 was $30,840, with the highest 10% earning more than $45,680.

Things to Consider When Choosing an Medical Lab Technician Program

• Students entering a medical laboratory technician program should have a high school diploma or equivalent. Individuals must complete an Associate Degree program in medical laboratory technology that includes clinical training. After completing this program, candidates must pass a national certification examination given by the Board of Registry of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, the National Certification Agency for Medical Laboratory Personnel, or the American Medical Technologists.
• The National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX-PN, is required in order to obtain your license as an LPN or LVN. The exam is developed and administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. The NCLEX-PN is a computer-based exam and varies in length.
• Classroom study covers basic nursing concepts and subjects related to medical-surgical nursing, pediatrics, obstetrics nursing, patient care, physiology, nutrition, pharmacology, and first aid. Clinical practice usually takes place hospitals but sometimes may include other settings.