Laboratory managers oversee the operations of many different
types of laboratories, including medical, criminal, research and research and
development labs. Lab managers supervise laboratory technologists and
technicians, ensure that the lab is compliant with applicable regulations and
regularly review and revise laboratory procedures.
Medical laboratory managers work in hospitals, doctor's
offices and stand-alone clinics, supervising staff that process specimens and
samples for diagnostic purposes. Managers of medical labs typically begin their
careers as medical laboratory technologists and develop their supervisory and
management skills on the job.
Step 1: Complete the Relevant
Education
Upon graduation from high school, those interested in
working in laboratory settings may pursue a 1-year laboratory technician
certificate, 2-year laboratory technologist degree or 4-year degree in biology,
biochemistry or other health and science fields. Suitable programs include
coursework in human anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, epidemiology,
health care management and biochemistry. Many hiring companies may prefer
candidates who hold a bachelor's degree in a related field; regardless of
educational background, potential employees are expected to have additional
experience working within a clinical laboratory setting.
Success Tip:
- Look for internship opportunities. Internships provide aspiring laboratory managers with the opportunity to learn their craft through hands-on experience under the direction of senior lab technologists and scientists. Interns with advanced training may assist technologists with reading and recording test results, processing medical specimens and handling laboratory equipment.
Step 2: Meet Any Licensure and
Certification Requirements
Some management positions require prerequisite training as a
laboratory technologist, which requires licensure in some states. Licensure
requirements vary by state, but often necessitate the aspiring technologist to
complete an approved educational program, have clinical experience working in a
lab and pass a licensing exam.
Employers may look for applicants with certification as a
laboratory technologist, which is available from professional associations such
as American Medical Technologists (AMT) and the American Society for Clinical
Pathology (ASCP). Qualifications vary, but usually require that the
certification candidate hold recognized educational credentials and pass a
certifying exam.
Success Tip:
- Research continuing education requirements. Individuals with a license and/or certification should familiarize themselves with the necessary continuing education requirements and complete continuing education courses as needed for renewal.
Step 3: Gain Experience
Laboratory managers often attain their higher-level position
after several years of experience working as lab technicians or technologists.
Depending on the job duties, some managers may have first worked in
administrative positions in healthcare settings, including medical offices, clinics
and hospitals. Technicians and technologists can also gain management
experience by working as lab supervisors before they become lab managers.
Success Tips:
- Join a professional association for laboratory technologists. Professional associations, like the Clinical Laboratory Management Association (CLMA) and American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS), offer development and networking opportunities.
- Earn a graduate degree. While not an absolute requirement for becoming a medical lab manager, earning a graduate degree in a relevant field can be helpful in career development. Some possible fields to consider include master's degrees in business administration, public health or doctoral degrees in chemistry or the biological sciences.
- Obtain the Diplomate of Laboratory Management (DLP) credential. The DLP is a recognized certification offered by the ASCP. This voluntary credential can often benefit a lab manager's career by showing advanced skill in the field. In addition to passing a certification examination, candidates for the DLP must document that they meet one of the approved sets of qualifications, comprised of various levels of education, certifications and work experience.
· Clinical
laboratory science professionals work primarily in a laboratory and while
technicians and technologists don't often see patients, they play a large role
in patient care. They're called upon to perform tests, procedures, or research
that contributes to the detection and treatment of disease. Often they assist
physicians in making a correct patient diagnosis.
·
Working as a Technologist or Technician
· Following
the completion of their online career training, technicians and technologists
often take jobs in physicians' offices, hospitals, outpatient clinics, research
laboratories, government agencies, college and university research facilities.
They can continue their learning to qualify for specializations as
cytotechnoligists, diagnostic molecular scientists, histotechnologists, or phlebotomists.
· Technicians
and technologists perform many of the same duties. They work in hospital and
clinic laboratories performing tests on patient samples, such as blood and
urine. They evaluate the tests and pass along the results to other medical
professionals. Depending upon their specialization, these professionals work
with ever-advancing computer and medical device technology. Their ultimate
level of training and experience often dictates their day-to-day duties.
·
Online Clinical Laboratory Technician or Technologist Training
· Online
career training programs offer a blend of distance learning along with directly
supervised practical laboratory experience. Some colleges offer training in a
series of intensive week-long or multiple-week seminars that combine online
studies with on-location practice.
· Clinical
laboratory science majors typically become clinical laboratory technicians and
technologists. Technologists have completed at least a bachelor's degree and
are required to be nationally certified. Technicians usually have an
associate's degree or certificate, and they are supervised by clinical
laboratory technologists.
· Clinical
laboratory science majors usually are required to take many science courses,
including biology and organic chemistry. Courses in urinalysis, microbiology,
and lab techniques are also required. At the bachelor's degree level, classes
include detailed studies in the biological sciences, microbiology, mathematics,
statistics, chemistry, and computer programs.
· Technicians
may advance their careers by completing their bachelor's degree, while
technologists may move into leadership roles following post-graduate studies in
management or business. Some states require working laboratory technicians or
technologists to hold licenses or registrations. Technologists typically become
licensed after passing a state exam. There are also online programs leading to
PhDs in the health sciences.
