Lab techs run tests on medical specimens to help doctors diagnose illness and disease. Find out about licensure and certification requirements, learn what degree you'd need to become either a lab technician or lab technologist, and review the online learning opportunities in this field.
What Are the Education Requirements for a Lab Tech?
There are two types of lab techs: a lab technician and a lab technologist. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), lab technicians usually require an associate's degree, while lab technologists usually hold a bachelor's degree (www.bls.gov). If you are interested in obtaining your degree in about two years, earning an associate's degree in medical technology may be right for you. You can expect to complete some prerequisite classes like chemistry and medical terminology. Other classes may include human anatomy and physiology, hematology, health care ethics and immunology.
Many colleges and universities offer 4-year degree programs in medical laboratory sciences if you are interested in becoming a lab technologist. Bachelor's degree programs usually require you to complete several general education requirements such as algebra, literature, history and composition. You also complete many classes in molecular diagnostics, biostatistics, immunohematology and microbiology. Bachelor's degree programs will offer additional lab work and internship opportunities.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Education Requirements</b></td><td>Associate's degree for lab technicians, bachelor's degree for lab technologists</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Associate's Degree Common Courses</b></td><td>Medical terminology, health care ethics, anatomy, hematology, chemistry</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Bachelor's Degree Common Courses</b></td><td>Biostatistics, microbiology, molecular diagnostics, immunohematology</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Online Options</b></td><td>Partially online associate's or bachelor's degree program</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Additional Job Requirements</b></td><td>Licensure or registration varies by state; voluntary certification</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---WhatOptionsAreAvailableForDistanceLearning">What Options Are Available for Distance Learning?</h3><p>You can find partially online programs to earn your associate's or bachelor's degree. In both programs, you can expect to complete some classes online while also gaining practical experience through an internship program. Online classes are similar to classes offered on-campus. However, the benefit of online learning is having the ability to complete tests and assignments from the comfort of your own home. Check with the school you plan to attend to learn about the technical requirements for online programs. Some schools may require applicants to be currently employed in a hospital or clinical lab in order to enroll in an online program.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatHappensAfterIGraduate">What Happens After I Graduate?</h3><p>The BLS mentions that licensure or registration for lab techs varies by each state. Optional certifications are also available by several organizations. One certifying agency, the American Medical Technologists (AMT), offers certifications for medical technicians and medical technologists (<i>www.americanmedtech.org</i>). Interested applicants must meet the AMT's education and work experience requirements prior to sitting for the exam.</p>
