Careers in the Laboratory CLMA Community Advocacy Committee
How to Use this Presentation Who is your audience High school College level Career transition What to emphasize? Educational programs in area Job Market/ Opportunities Future of the Profession Where will the lab be in 10 years? Professionalism
Who works in a Clinical Lab? Medical Laboratory Scientists “medical technologist” Medical Technicians Phlebotomists Histology Technicians and Technologists Cytotechnologists Clinical Lab Assistants
Medical Lab Scientists/Technicians Backbone of the “lab” MLS – bachelors' degree with certification MLT - associate’s degree with certification Some states require licensure MLS Perform in all levels of lab, including management MLT Perform most routine testing, operating equipment, assist with problem solving
Phlebotomist/Clinical Assistants Phlebotomist Trained to collect blood from patients Training varies from several months to one year programs Certification is recommended Clinical Lab Assistants (CLA) Phlebotomy experience plus performs specimen processing and basic laboratory testing Training is similar to phlebotomy
Histo/Cytotechs Histotechnician/Technologists Perform procedures on tissue samples from surgical specimens and process them for examination by a pathologist Cytotechnologist Study of cells in the tissues in the body to discover malignancies (cancers) Ex. PAP smear
What is Laboratory Medicine Laboratory Medicine Performs tests on patients specimens Results used by physicians to confirm health, aid in diagnosis and treatment Located in hospitals, outpatient clinics, physician office practices and large reference laboratories
Additional Job Opportunities Education Teach in lab programs Industry/sales Development of new tests/instruments Sell equipment/services to providers Software/ IT Research Future in molecular/biotechnology is HUGE! Epidemiology (study of patterns and causes of disease) Public Health/CDC
2013 ASCP Wage/Salary Survey
Professionalism Certification/Licensure Ensures Quality Personnel Continuing education Clinical laboratory ever-changing Membership in professional organizations CE Networking Advocacy
Interested? Enjoy science Biology Chemistry Helping people High technology environment Considerable job security Opportunities for advancement
Resources Professional organizations (guest speakers) CLMA clma.org ASCLS ascls.org ASCP ascp.org Educational programs NAACLS naacls.org Hospital/Lab in community Contact for tour
Watch Short Video-Bowling Green State University MT Program com/watch?v=aU8vy qHCy5wwww.youtube. com/watch?v=aU8vy qHCy5w