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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.
Continue ReadingImportant 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.