For those interested in a career in Clinical Laboratory Studies, there are many questions surrounding what school to attend, what to look for, what you can earn, and on and on. It can be hard to sort out the different types of degrees, best online schools, resources on the internet, and information on salary and earnings. Below, we will try to answer these common and complex questions.
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Online Medical Lab Technician Schools
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Online Medical Lab Tech Schools
Medical Lab Technician Programs
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Medical Laboratory Technician Schools
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Medical Laboratory Tech Degree
Online Medical Lab Tech School
What Types of Medical Lab Technicians Degrees and Certifications Exist?
There are generally two different categories for degrees and certifications for medical lab techs.
- Bachelors degree with a major in medical technology or one of the life sciences
- Associates degree in medical lab technology.
Upon receiving either, a technician may also choose to get certified or register with an accredited agency. Before beginning an education as a medical lab technician, it is important to know the minimum requirements.
The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act was passed in 1988 to regulate the approximately 200,000 laboratory entities which conduct lab tests on humans. This act requires technologists who perform tests to have an associate's degree at minimum. As demand is growing, more and more medical lab technicians are finding work with an associate's degree and certification from a top institute.
Those who want the best options as a medical lab technician may choose a Bachelors degree from an accredited four year university. These degree programs usually include undergraduate classes in chemistry, biology, mathematics, as well as specialized courses in the clinical laboratory.
Some states also mandate licenses and registration work as a medical lab technician. Requirements can vary by state and medical specialty and the information is available on your state department of health's website.
For those looking to register to find the best jobs, agencies include the Board of Registry of the American Society for Clinical Pathology, the American Medical Technologists, the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel, and the Board of Registry of the American Association of Bioanalysts. These agencies offer top registries and have much more information available online.
What Are the Top 10 Best Online Medical Lab Technicians Schools?
Due to the technical and laboratorial aspects of the degree, few universities offer online degrees for medical lab technicians. Those who do offer these online degrees require a previous degree in clinical lab technology. However, online colleges still remain a viable option for those looking to take the basics or prerequisites.
The Online Education Database has been ranking online colleges since 2007. They gather data for eight different areas, including: acceptance rate, financial aid, graduation rate, peer Web citations, retention rate, scholarly citations, student-faculty ratio, and years accredited. For those looking to do the prerequisite classes online, the below colleges are among the top ten in the nation for 2009.
1. Nova Southeastern University: This college offers several of its degree programs through distance education delivery systems. Students can utilize the services through the Davie Campus, such as the electronic library, the Internet, and computer software on central servers from this Fort Lauderdale university.
2. Regent University: Located in Virginia Beach, Regent teaches students Christian leadership to change the world. Among the list of online programs, you can also see if online learning is a viable option for you.
3. Champlain College: This private college offers master's degrees, bachelor's degrees, and professional certificates both on campus and online. With their campus in Burlington, Vermont, they also offer a Workforce Development Center with online options for continuing studies.
4. Upper Iowa University: This is a private, accredited university offering scholarships and financial aid, enabling students of all ages to earn affordable degrees. Located in Fayette, Iowa, there are also many classes available online.
5. LeTourneau University: A private, nondenominational Christian university, LeTourneau is based in Longview, TX. It provides undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education, some of which are available online.
6. Liberty University: Founded in 1971, Liberty is an independent, fundamentalist Baptist university located in Lynchburg, Virginia. Students can choose from a variety of associates, bachelors, and masters degrees, all online.
7. Grand Canyon University: Located in Phoenix, Arizona, Grand Canyon offers ground and online degrees in business, liberal arts, education, nursing, health sciences, and more. With a variety of classes to choose from, you can even apply to this university online.
8. Dickinson State University: DSU Online offers five programs delivered completely online and a selection of General Education courses every semester. Located in Dickinson, North Dakota, DSU has been accredited since 1964 by the North Central Accrediting Association.
9. Western Governors University: This fully accredited university offers distance learning courses from dozens of colleges, universities, and corporations across the United States. Get information on classes, degrees, and even scholarships by visiting the site.
10. Salem International University: Become a part of academic excellence at this college in Salem, West Virginia. Learn about the different courses offered online and even participate in a live chat with an admissions representative.
Resources to Read When Choosing an Online Medical Lab Technicians Schools
Before undertaking an education or certification in Clinical Lab Science, it is important to know if the organization offering services is accredited and reliable. Visit these sites to get more information on which agencies and schools meet the grade, as well as the basics on a career as a medical lab technician.
1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Visit this government website for information on training, employment, job outlook, projections, and earnings for medical lab technicians.
2. American Society for Clinical Pathology: For students already enrolled in an accredited medical laboratory program, membership is complimentary. Benefits include the latest news and information, a membership I.D. with your credentials, members only discounts, and most importantly, online access to CME/CMLE credits with no fee.
3. American Medical Technologists: Founded in 1939, the AMT is a nationally and internationally recognized certification agency and membership society for many health professionals, including medical lab technicians. Visit this site for information on certification, schools, and employers.
4. National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel: The NCA exists as a voluntary, nonprofit, non-governmental organization that conducts certification of medical laboratory personnel. Their examination programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, which signifies unconditional compliance with stringent testing standards among national health organizations.
5. Commission on Accreditation for Allied Health Education Programs: Visit this site to get a list of schools who have been accredited by this organization. Choose from career type or enter a school's name to see their status.
6. College Results Online: Visit this site to get more information on the student graduation rates at four year colleges and universities. You can also learn about rate changes, diversity, and compare records among similar institutions.
What does a Medical Lab Technician Make? Medical Lab Tech Salary Information
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for medical and clinical laboratory technicians was $49,700 in May 2006. Salary range for the middle 50 percent was from $41,680 to $58,560.
Types of clinical laboratory technicians and places employed also affect salary expectations. For example, the highest paid technicians work for the federal government in diagnostic laboratories and in hospitals. The lowest paid technicians work in physician offices or colleges. The highest earning type of technician was the cytotechnologist, who are trained to detect changes in cellular material. The lowest in salary earnings was the phlebotomist, who is trained to draw blood.
