by Kasandra Kessell

Created on: January 16, 2009   Last Updated: December 20, 2011

Clinical Laboratory Specialists are expected to become even more highly sought after with analysts predicting a 14% job growth between now and 2016. The health care industry is the most rapidly growing industry in the world with no decline in sight and as research and developmental technologies grow, so do the prospects of your career as a laboratory technician or technologist.

Currently, the majority of people in this field work in hospitals. However, studies show that the number of Clinical Laboratory Specialists employed by private practices, research labs, and pharmaceutical companies are rising dramatically.

What this means for you

A wide range of excellent job opportunities with plenty of room for advancement and job security because the number of job openings are expected to continue to out weigh the number of job seekers in this field.

Average salary

The average salary for a laboratory technician is currently between $20,000 and $28,000, and for a laboratory technologist it is currently between $25,000 and $40,000. Average salaries in both positions are expected to climb with the rising demand for employees in this field.

Job description

Although both positions perform lab work to identify, diagnose, and treat diseases there are some primary differences.

Technicians are responsible for performing lab procedures, collecting blood specimens, and preparing informative and accurate reports with the use of lab equipment, chemicals, and computers.

Technologists are responsible for the more complex lab procedures and keep accurate records of all lab contents such as chemicals, slides, controlled substances, and patient records. They also supervise lab technicians and review reports before they are given to the attending physician.

Education requirements

Laboratory technicians are most often required to obtain a two year associates degree, but some employers may be willing to hire you if you have completed a specialized program relating to this field.

Laboratory technologists are usually required to have a four year bachelor's degree, however, some employers may be willing to accept the credentials of extensive clinical experience and an associate degree.

Choosing an accredited college or university

There are so many choices available today when it comes to receiving an education. Aside from the many accredited colleges and universities across the nation, you also have the choice of receiving your education either on campus, or on-line.

A free, valuable resource listing over forty accredited schools offering degree programs ranging from associate to master's degrees can be found at http://Earnmydegree.com.

Another free resource that will allow you to see the job outlook for just about any health care profession by state, can be found at http://www.healthguide.org.

No matter where you are in your career, there is always room to further your education, and if you haven't yet begun, it's never to late to start. Every college and university has an on site guidance counselor that can help you to decide which career path is right for you. Financial aid services are offered at most schools, or you can apply to the US Department of Education at http://www.ed.gov.

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