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Benefits of Being a Lab Assistant
For those who wish to work in the field of research, a career as a lab assistant is a wonderful choice.
Working in a hospital, medical laboratory, or perhaps at a college or university can be a fulfilling job experience. There are many benefits of being a lab assistant.
Being Exposed To Research
Lab assistants are constantly exposed to research and the latest developments in the medical field. This is a wonderful addition to a resume and helps the lab assistant gain knowledge needed to advance their career.
Training Length Of Time
It takes only two years to train as a lab assistant, as compared to other positions within the medical field, which are significantly longer. Lab Assistants enjoy a rewarding career in a shorter amount of time, with plenty of room for advancement within the field.
Choice Of Work Environment
A lab assistant is not limited to one work environment. They can choose from a range of different settings, such as hospitals, small or large labs. They can do different types of work within the lab, or have a specialization.
High Standards
Working as a lab assistant has extremely high standards. The lab assistant can take pride in having strong work ethic and attention to detail. The lab assistant is focused and attentive. This contributes to the high level of respect that the lab assistant earns within their profession.
Making A Difference In Patients’ Lives
A lab assistant can feel the enthusiasm of knowing that they are helping doctors to identify serious issues and come up with an appropriate course of treatment. Being a lab assistant can be a rewarding career choice. The work is very important and the lab assistant is a key player in the medical profession.
Excellent Salary
Lab Assistants enjoy an excellent salary. The median salary for this job is approximate $37,000 annually. The top employees in the field can earn up to $50,000 annually and possibly even more. Along with this comes an extremely competitive benefits package, including health insurance for the families of workers. Pay can increase even more with further training. No matter the setting the lab assistant chooses to work in, pay remains competitive.
Career Stability
A lab assistant enjoys a very stable career. There is always a need for assistants in a medical laboratory setting, and many jobs are readily available. As the population ages, there is more of a need for medical services. Lab assistants are needed every day within the field since, without them, certain conditions can not be diagnosed. The field is constantly growing as a result of the populations changing and increased needs and is expected to grow at a faster than average rate in upcoming years.
Well Respected In The Medical Field
Lab assistants enjoy the respect and dignity that comes with their job. They are performing essential duties on a regular basis, and the career is in demand. Without the services they provide, doctors would not be in a position to receive the information needed to make important medical decisions each day.
Opportunity For Advancement
Along with this career comes the opportunity for advancement. Lab assistants may wish to use their acquired skills to pursue positions in different areas of the medical field. Additional training can provide the skills needed to become a technologist or a lab manager. A lab assistant always has plenty of opportunities to build on their career.
Constant Learning Opportunities
The lab assistant enjoys constantly learning about breakthroughs in medical techniques. They learn in group meetings as well as from each other when new developments are made. This on the job education allows for advancement and growth, as it provides a more in-depth understanding of the medical field.
Benefits of Being a Lab Assistant
For those who wish to work in the field of research, a career as a lab assistant is a wonderful choice.
Working in a hospital, medical laboratory, or perhaps at a college or university can be a fulfilling job experience. There are many benefits of being a lab assistant.
Being Exposed To Research
Lab assistants are constantly exposed to research and the latest developments in the medical field. This is a wonderful addition to a resume and helps the lab assistant gain knowledge needed to advance their career.
Training Length Of Time
It takes only two years to train as a lab assistant, as compared to other positions within the medical field, which are significantly longer. Lab Assistants enjoy a rewarding career in a shorter amount of time, with plenty of room for advancement within the field.
Choice Of Work Environment
A lab assistant is not limited to one work environment. They can choose from a range of different settings, such as hospitals, small or large labs. They can do different types of work within the lab, or have a specialization.
High Standards
Working as a lab assistant has extremely high standards. The lab assistant can take pride in having strong work ethic and attention to detail. The lab assistant is focused and attentive. This contributes to the high level of respect that the lab assistant earns within their profession.
Making A Difference In Patients’ Lives
A lab assistant can feel the enthusiasm of knowing that they are helping doctors to identify serious issues and come up with an appropriate course of treatment. Being a lab assistant can be a rewarding career choice. The work is very important and the lab assistant is a key player in the medical profession.
Excellent Salary
Lab Assistants enjoy an excellent salary. The median salary for this job is approximate $37,000 annually. The top employees in the field can earn up to $50,000 annually and possibly even more. Along with this comes an extremely competitive benefits package, including health insurance for the families of workers. Pay can increase even more with further training. No matter the setting the lab assistant chooses to work in, pay remains competitive.
Career Stability
A lab assistant enjoys a very stable career. There is always a need for assistants in a medical laboratory setting, and many jobs are readily available. As the population ages, there is more of a need for medical services. Lab assistants are needed every day within the field since, without them, certain conditions can not be diagnosed. The field is constantly growing as a result of the populations changing and increased needs and is expected to grow at a faster than average rate in upcoming years.
Well Respected In The Medical Field
Lab assistants enjoy the respect and dignity that comes with their job. They are performing essential duties on a regular basis, and the career is in demand. Without the services they provide, doctors would not be in a position to receive the information needed to make important medical decisions each day.
Opportunity For Advancement
Along with this career comes the opportunity for advancement. Lab assistants may wish to use their acquired skills to pursue positions in different areas of the medical field. Additional training can provide the skills needed to become a technologist or a lab manager. A lab assistant always has plenty of opportunities to build on their career.
Constant Learning Opportunities
The lab assistant enjoys constantly learning about breakthroughs in medical techniques. They learn in group meetings as well as from each other when new developments are made. This on the job education allows for advancement and growth, as it provides a more in-depth understanding of the medical field.
Important Lab Assistant Certifications
Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant (CMLA) Credential
American Medical Technologists (AMT) awards the Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant designation. To be eligible for this credential, a candidate must have at least 1,040 hours of laboratory technology work experience completed within the last three years. Additionally, a candidate should have graduated from a training program that included the completion of 120 clinical laboratory hours and 200 classroom hours. Once a candidate has passed the certification exam, the CMLA designation is awarded.
ASCP Board of Certification (BOC)
The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) is an independent certification agency that develops relevant standards and procedures to assure the competence of medical laboratory personnel. The ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) is a recognized leader in certification of medical laboratory professionals. By earning credentials from the ASCP BOC, laboratory professionals demonstrate their competence to carry out their responsibilities in this critical profession.
How Much Does a Trained Lab Assistant Make?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2015, lab assistant salary was $24.48 per hour or $50,930 per year. Many assistants maximize their income by working longer hours during peak seasons. As with any occupation, lab technician salary is dependent on the job, employer location, level of experience, and whether or not a union is involved. Lab assistant salary is usually implemented in the form of hourly wages, which will increase based on skill level, knowledge, and experience.