Medical lab assistants often work in hospitals, clinics or private laboratories. As the name implies, much of this job involves assisting other lab workers, usually medical lab technologists. However, assistants do have many independent responsibilities as well. They are often expected to run laboratory machinery, sterilize equipment and prepare specimen samples, among other tasks.
Features
Medical lab assistants (MLAs) run simple laboratory tests and handle specimens. For example, their jobs may include fixing blood/tissue specimens on slides. Technical skills required may involve running lab machinery, such as autoclave (sterilizing) equipment or a centrifuge.
Although this position usually pays less than laboratory technologists earn, lab assistants nevertheless have a lot of responsibility and must have proper training.
Education
You can train to be a laboratory assistant by registering for courses at a college or vocational school. You will need to get your associates degree in laboratory science. This will only take one to two years to complete, and laboratory assistant certification programs exist across the nation.
Courses typically include an introduction to laboratory equipment and basic studies in phlebotomy and specimen processing. In addition to some medical knowledge, you will need sufficient technical knowledge and training to run lab equipment.
Salary
Medical laboratory assistants usually start out making between $20,000 and $40,000 per year. Your salary could be higher or lower, of course, depending on where you work. To increase your salary, you can always receive more training at a later time and become a laboratory technologist.
Warning
Lab assistants spend a lot of time on their feet and doing tasks that may at times be strenuous. The job title might make it seem like this is not a very physical job; however, depending on the hospital or clinic you work for, it can be.
As they work around biohazardous material, laboratory assistants must follow strict protocols in dealing with tissue and fluid specimens.
Considerations
The terms "medical lab assistant" and "medical laboratory technician" are sometimes used interchangeably. This is often incorrect--technicians and technologists usually have more training than assistants.
A laboratory assistant must be able to work independently. Although he or she may often be working alongside a technologist, assistants must be self-starters capable of completing necessary assigned duties.
As a medical laboratory assistant, your job duties may vary, depending on the clinic or hospital that hires you.
Tags: assistants must, laboratory assistant, laboratory assistant, laboratory assistants, Medical assistants