Top Schools for Medical Lab Technicians

If you like the medical field but don't want to be a doctor or nurse, you might consider becoming a clinical lab technician. These healthcare professionals provide the critically important data that physicians use to help them make their diagnoses. You'll perform tests and procedures like preparing tissue specimens or blood for examination by doctors and lab technologists. 

 

To get the job, you'll need medical training—either a certificate program from a private school or an associate's degree from a junior college, preferably in the biology or other health science. Some top schools for medical lab techs include:

 

Keiser University (Florida). Provides a  practical, student-centered hands-on approach to training for the medical lab tech career. Students learn the skills to perform lab tests that meet standard lab practices in clinical chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, microbiology, clinical immunohematology and serology/immunology. Confers an Associate of Science degree in Medical Laboratory Technician. Day, evening and online classes are available. 

Southern University at Shreveport. Their two-year program is fully accredited by the National Accrediting Agency of Clinical Laboratory Sciences. You’ll need to pass an entrance exam, an in-person interview and produce three letters of recommendation to be accepted. Confers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Laboratory Technology, which makes you eligible to sit for the American Society for Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) and/or the National Certification Agency (NCA) nation registry examinations for certification.

 

Allegany College of Maryland. Their program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS).  Program options include the Traditional MLT for careers in a clinical, patient-focused laboratory; Biotechnology option for careers in alternative lab settings; Biotechnology Certificate to update you if you already have an MLT or science degree; and a Fast-Track option, which lets you finish the MLT curriculum in a single year if you’ve already completed your general education courses. 

 

Argosy University, Twin Cities in Eagan, Minnesota. Their Associate of Science degree in Medical Laboratory Technology program has a number of completion options. You can choose either the Track I or Track II curriculum. Full-time students can complete the Track I curriculum in 24 months, or the Track II curriculum in just 16 months. You’ll need a high school diploma, an in-person interview, and qualifying SAT/ACT scores to be admitted. 

 

The need for lab techs is expected to rise dramatically during this decade –up 16 percent, adding about 25,000 jobs. Retirements and turnover should open up even more opportunities. The biggest area of growth is expected to be in private diagnostic labs and physicians' offices. 

 

Aside from showcasing your technical education and skills, be sure to sell your people skills. Lab managers want to know that you can work well in a team environment and that you can handle the various personalities of patients, physicians and nursing staff.

 

The field is growing and jobs are available for qualified candidates. So sign up and get your degree. Financial aid is available to those who qualify.