Laboratory technicians carry out important medical tests for patients and doctors.
Laboratory technicians are responsible for performing many medical tests. These tests include taking blood samples and preparing specimens for microscopic examination. Some laboratory technicians specialize in a specific field such as phlebotomy while others choose to work as general laboratory technicians. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth is anticipated to remain excellent. If you are thinking of entering this growing field, you will need to complete specific educational requirements.
Instructions
1. Graduate from high school. While in high school, you should take classes heavily weighted towards the sciences. Take at least a year each of biology, chemistry and physics as well as at least two years of math. If possible, take advanced placement courses. Advanced placement courses offer students the right to earn college credits while still in high school. Many colleges accept AP courses thus shortening the time you need to spend completing a degree.
2. Research laboratory technician programs. Programs vary by state, duration and time taken for completion. You can take a general program that offers training as a laboratory technician. You may also take a specific program that focuses on single area of laboratory technical work such as drawing blood. You should know in advance all the details of the program such as graduation rates, the expected time to complete all coursework and the percentage of graduates who find work in the clinical technology field. School officials should also tell you upfront about any fees that are required.
3. Take required classes. Laboratory technician certification programs take roughly a year to fifteen months complete. During this time you will study basic laboratory techniques and learn certain medical procedures such as drawing blood and using a microscope. Take careful notes and spend as much time as you can getting actual clinical experience working with medical equipment.
4. Complete clinical training requirements. In addition to formal classroom instruction, many laboratory technician certification programs require students to have a certain number of hours of hands on training performing medical procedures such as inserting a needle into a vein and preparing someone's arm for venipuncture.
5. Pass licensing exams. After you graduate from a laboratory technician program you must be licensed in many states to apply for employment. Licensure consists of demonstrating that you have passed all classes, spent the required hours in clinical training and have passed an examination. Examinations for laboratory technicians vary depending on your specialty. For example, if you have chosen to specialize in phlebotomy you will need to pass the exam on phlebotomy procedures. You can take more than one exam and get more than license.
Tags: laboratory technician, high school, laboratory technicians, certification programs, clinical training, drawing blood
