An online clinical lab assistant training program can prepare you for a career as a laboratory technician. Read on to learn about what coursework to expect, online program requirements, and career options and salary info.
What Will I Learn During an Online Lab Assistant Program?
If you enroll in an online clinical lab assistant certificate program, you'll learn how to take medical samples and perform lab tests to check for abnormalities or diseases. You'll also learn how to record and store scientific results. You'll train to assist doctors, nurses, scientists and researchers, depending on what kind of lab assisting job interests you.
You typically can complete the program in just a few academic terms. Some certificate programs, however, are aimed at current lab assistants and only require students to pass one class and complete independent clinical work to earn their certificates. Common topics that you might explore during a lab assistant program include:
- Laboratory safety
- Information recording and processing
- Specimen collection
- Laboratory instrumentation
- Molecular biology
- Medical terminologies
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Common Courses</b></td><td> Laboratory safety, molecular biology, medical terminologies</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Online Program Requirements</b></td><td> Some programs require working in lab environment, others require that you visit the campus for labs</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td> $54,180 (<i>for all clinical laboratory technologists and technicians</i>)*</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2019-2029)</b></td><td> 7% growth (<i>for all clinical laboratory technologists and technicians</i>)*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatOnlineOptionsAreAvailable">What Online Options Are Available?</h3><p>You can usually take your lab assistant courses online, but many online programs require you to already work in a laboratory environment before entering the program. You'll usually need to use the facilities at your place of employment to complete the clinical components of the program. You'll need to gain the cooperation of someone who works above you to certify that you've completed the assignments. You also might need to have your exams proctored on campus or at a learning facility near your home.
</p><p>Other programs might require all core laboratory coursework to be completed at labs on campus, while general education and broader science courses can be conducted online. Most online learning is asynchronous, and you must complete assignments and readings on a weekly basis.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatJobsCanIFind">What Jobs Can I Find?</h3><p>With your lab assistant certificate, you can work at a laboratory, hospital or medical office as a laboratory technician. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that employment prospects should be very favorable for laboratory technicians (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). According to the BLS, medical and clinical laboratory technicians made a median salary of $54,180 in May 2020. You can also enter a laboratory science bachelor's degree program if you wish to advance and become a laboratory technologist, wherein you'd perform more advanced lab tests.</p>
