What do Medical Laboratory Assistants do?
Medical laboratory assistants collect and process samples for testing from patients, including blood and tissue samples. They process clinical laboratory specimens, perform routine and specialized tests, prepare and stain slides for analysis, perform phlebotomy, record testing information, clean and restock lab facility, keep inventory, and order lab supplies.
These tasks are performed in a laboratory setting within a hospital or healthcare system, private and corporate labs, physicians’ offices, clinics, and medical testing facilities.
Job Outlook
On average, certified medical assistants can earn a salary of $36,000 per year. Pay rates can vary based on where you live, where you work, and your relevant job experience.
PayScale reports the average hourly pay in 2022 was &16.56 per hour.
The Department of Labor reports an expected 2.6 million new jobs by 2030.
Jobs in the medical lab assistant field are expected to grow by 20% over the next decade.
Requirements before starting:
Documentation of Current Vaccinations and Immunizations including but not limited to the Mandated Covid Vaccinations or a documented/validated medical or religious exemption. Per externship request. Requirements may vary per externship location.
Tuberculin Skin Test
Criminal Background Check/ Drug Screen. May vary with externship requirements.
About the Program
This is a series of self-paced courses, including a 120-hour externship.
Learners will receive a hands-on venipuncture kit as part of your training to help them better understand venipuncture processes and procedures.
Your training will also help you prepare and sit for the industry exams such as the CPT and CMLA to become a certified lab assistant.
Need a Hand With the Fee? No Problem.
Career Step:
Training That Gets You Career-Ready
- Get In
- Get Out
- Get Working
Find out how Iowa Western Community College and Career Step can meet your career training needs today
Program Details:
Coursework is divided into 13 courses that cover 396 hours of training so you can build the skills you need to start a career all on your schedule. Courses as follows:
- Program Orientation
- Communication and Customer Service in the Healthcare Office
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Infection Control
- Fundamentals of HIPAA
- Externship Readiness Skills
- Phlebotomy
- Venipuncture Labs
- Testing and Lab Procedures
- Medical Laboratory Assistant
- Phlebotomy
- Venipuncture Labs
- Testing and Lab Procedures
- Medical Laboratory Assistant
- Final Exam
- Initiating your Externship
- Externship
- Program Completion: Medical Laboratory Assistant
Total of 376 Hours: 276 Didactic + 120 Hours Externship