How To Become a Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technician

What degree do you need

One of the most common questions that we always get is what major or degree do I need to become Medical Laboratory Technicians or what courses do I need to take.

We also asked Medical Laboratory Technicians what did they major in college or university and here are the top 5 most popular majors that came up.

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians usually need an associate’s degree or a postsecondary certificate in medical technology or life sciences. High school students who are interested in pursuing a career in the medical laboratory sciences should take courses in chemistry, biology, and mathematics.

How hard is it

You may need some previous work-related skill, knowledge or experience to be a Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technician. For example, an electrician must complete three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Careers in this difficulty category will usually need 1 or 2 years of on-the-job training and informal training with experienced workers. These careers usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Similar careers include hydroelectric production managers, travel agents, electricians, court reporters, and medical assistants.

License and certifications

Some states require Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians to be licensed. For specific requirements, contact state departments of health or boards of occupational licensing.

Skills required

We asked other Medical Laboratory Technicians if they could only have 5 skills, what would they be. Here is what they said.

Knowledge required

Just like any other job, you will need certain know-hows to excel at your job. Medical Laboratory Technicians are generally very knowledgeable in these 5 key areas.

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