About Medical Lab Assistants
What type of work does a Medical Lab Assistant do?
Medical Lab Assistants may perform a variety of duties. Some of these may include:
- Prepare lab equipment
- Report data and compile information
- Clean and maintain lab equipment
- Use lab equipment, including microscopes
- Phlebotomy
- Labeling, handling, and processing specimens
- Quality assurance and control procedures
- Report test results to medical personnel
- Perform point-of-care testing and low complexity testing on patients
- Cleaning and sterilizing lab rooms and medical equipment
Where do Medical Lab Assistants work?
Medical Lab Assistants typically work in a lab setting. These labs may be in a hospital, a physician’s office, a private lab, or within another type of healthcare facility.
Will I be able to find a job?
It’s important to note that no school can guarantee employment. Here at Dorsey College, we offer career services assistance to all completers of the Medical Laboratory Assistant program, however, job placement is not guaranteed by Dorsey College. You can learn more about the assistance our Career Services team offers by visiting our Career Services for Students and Graduates page.
Are there other career opportunities for Medical Lab Assistants?
Many may choose to pursue training to become a Medical Lab Assistant as a way to break into the healthcare field. After obtaining some experience, they may then choose to go back to school to further their education and training in an effort to pursue advancement opportunities within the field.
Becoming a Medical Lab Assistant
How might I determine if this is a good career choice for me?
In choosing any career, it’s important that someone look at a variety of factors, some of which include:
- Can I see myself doing the work that this position/occupation performs and am I going to be happy performing those tasks in that type of work setting?
- Do I have the skills/traits/characteristics that one may need to be successful in a position like this?
- How is the employment outlook/trends for this position?
How to become a medical lab assistant?
Medical Lab Assistants typically attend a post-secondary training program. These can lead to a diploma or a certificate and are designed to expose students to the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in their new career. Some Medical Lab Assistants may also learn on-the-job.
How long is training to become a Medical Lab Assistant?
Training to become a Medical Lab Assistant generally takes a year or less to complete, but this will vary based on a number of factors including where you get your training and the topics included in the program.
The Dorsey College Medical Laboratory Assistant Program
What will be covered in the program?
Students enrolled in the Medical Laboratory Assistant program at Dorsey College will be exposed to a variety of topics as part of their training including (but not limited to):
- Medical terminology
- Anatomy and physiology
- Phlebotomy
- Procedures for labeling, handling, and processing specimens
- Processing lab tests
- Operating laboratory equipment
- Professionalism and communication skills
- …and more!
Is your program hands-on?
Yes! Students enrolled in the Medical Laboratory Assistant program at Dorsey College will have opportunities to learn in a hands-on environment by way of practicing skills and competencies in the labs on campus as well as during the clinical training component.
What is clinical training and why is it important?
The clinical training component of the Medical Laboratory Assistant program provides real-life situations where there are opportunities for students to apply classroom theory to practice.
How long is the program?
The Medical Laboratory Assistant program at Dorsey College is designed to be completed in just seven months.
Who are the instructors?
Our instructors are caring individuals that possess experience and expertise in their respective field. Our instructors meet or exceed State of Michigan and accreditation criteria, guidelines, and qualifications. It’s not uncommon for students of Dorsey College to see their instructors as their coach and mentor throughout their studies.
Why should I choose Dorsey College over another school?
Students choose Dorsey College over other Career Training Schools for a variety of reasons. You can learn more by visiting The Dorsey Difference page.
Which Dorsey College campuses offer the Medical Laboratory Assistant program?
The Medical Laboratory Assistant program is offered at the following Dorsey College campus locations:
- Madison Heights (Main campus)
- Saginaw (A branch campus of Madison Heights)
- Wayne (A branch campus of Madison Heights)
How do I enroll?
If you’re interested in enrolling in the Medical Laboratory Assistant program at Dorsey College, the first step you should take is meeting with one of our Admissions Representatives. Request information online and a member of our team will be back in touch with you shortly. You can read more about our Admissions process on our Admissions information page.
Will your program prepare me for certification?
The Dorsey College Medical Laboratory Assistant program is designed to prepare students to go on to challenge a national certification exam.
Does your program include certification?
While actual certification is not included, the Dorsey College Medical Laboratory Assistant program is designed to prepare students to challenge a national certification exam.
Is your school accredited?
Yes, you can read more by visiting our Accreditation page.
What is the tuition and fees for the program?
The current tuition and fees for the Dorsey College Medical Laboratory Assistant program can be accessed by clicking here.
Is Financial Aid available?
Financial Aid is available to those who qualify. For additional information on Financial Aid and Tuition Assistance, we would encourage you to visit our Financial Aid Information page.
Can you help me find a job after graduation?
Dorsey College offers Career Services assistance to all program completers, however, job placement is not guaranteed by Dorsey College. You can learn more about the assistance our Career Services team offers by visiting our Career Services for Students and Graduates page.
