Clinical Lab Technology

Overview

Clinical lab technology professionals are responsible for over 70 percent of all patient diagnoses. Clinical lab technicians analyze blood and other body fluids using advanced technology to assess and report normal and abnormal patient results.

These behind-the-scenes professionals are vital for accurate results in hospital, research, veterinary, and outpatient labs. Clinical Lab Technicians are essential to any healthcare team—communicating with nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals to achieve the most accurate patient results.

Clinical lab technology is a growing field that needs individuals who collaborate well, embrace the technology, are dedicated to problem-solving, and are detail-oriented. This field may be ideal for those whose primary interest is in serving the predominant health care and well-being of patients with diverse medical symptoms.

Upon earning an Associate of Applied Science in Clinical Lab Technology, you will be prepared for immediate employment in the field. After graduating and passing the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) exam, you’ll become nationally certified to work in laboratories across the U.S.

This career path can lead to a medical lab scientist or management position with additional education or opportunities in education, pharmaceuticals, or information technology. The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science accredits this program for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Get additional information, including course listings and class descriptions.

Planning to Transfer? Learn more about earning a Bachelor’s degree, earning summer credits for transfer, or dual admissions with a university by visiting University Transfer & Partnerships.

How do I become a Clinical Lab Technician?

The Clinical Laboratory Technology (CLT) program integrates general education and professional courses with hands-on experiences in a variety of clinical lab settings. Online education is combined with on-campus labs to prepare students with the technical skills needed to work in the following laboratory departments: hematology, microbiology, chemistry, blood bank, immunology, microscopy, and phlebotomy. Upon completion of the associate degree, students are eligible to sit for a national certification exam offered by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP).

The clinical laboratory assistant (CLA) program leads to a basic vocational certificate and provides students with the necessary skills to collect and process specimens, prepare slides, set up cultures, and perform point-of-care testing procedures.

Refer to the Clinical Laboratory Technology summary for details regarding accreditation, entrance requirements, and admission procedures.

Refer to Clinical Laboratory Technology for the required curriculum and course descriptions to determine your preferred path in this field.

How much do Clinical Lab Technicians make?

Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians made an average of $57,800 per year in May 2021. The bottom 10% earned less than $30,280, while the top 10% made more than $79,340.