Laboratory Technician Career

Find an Ultrasound Tech Degree

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What You Do in This Career

Becoming a Laboratory Technician probably wasn’t on your list of ideal careers when you were a kid, but perhaps it should have been. Laboratory Technologists perform tests on body fluids and tissue samples that are crucial to detecting, diagnosing, and treating disease. If you like staring through microscopes at bacteria, parasites and microorganisms, or even if you just like helping people with your analytical expertise, this is a great career. It’s not for the faint of heart however, since a tremendous amount of responsibility is placed on the lab technicians to be accurate in their tests. People’s lives are in their hands just like any doctor or registered nurse.

Salary and Career Path

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for laboratory technologists in 2008 was $53,500, with the lowest 10% earning under $36,000 and the highest paid techs earning over $74,680. Lab techs can find employment in many locations like at university medical clinics, physician’s offices, or general hospitals. As with all medical careers, the outlook is good for job hires since the number of older people and the demand for laboratory testing are increasing. To advance up the career ladder requires experience and the ability to take on supervisory positions. Many online colleges offer degree programs that incorporate management skills, which would be a plus on any resume. Online colleges also offer degree programs for nurse practitioners and ultrasound technicians, for those who are interested in medical care outside the laboratory.

What Kind of Degree or Coursework You Need

Laboratory technicians often have AA degrees in fields such as allied health, medical assisting, or health information technology, or certificates from hospitals or vocational schools, even the military. Any of those avenues offer a great start to a career in laboratory technology. The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences accredits 479 programs nation-wide, which means further training and specialization through online colleges or regular universities is easy to find.

Top Online Health Services Programs

There are multiple educational paths that students can take to become an ultrasound technician or diagnostic medical sonographer. The schools below do not offer ultrasound-specific training, but they do offer medical assisting and other healthcare programs that are closely related. You can request information by clicking on any of the links below.

AS in Health IT	DeVry University — For over 80 years, DeVry University has focused on relevant areas of study, offering associate, bachelor's and master's degree programs and specializations that cover 34 different career fields. Earn your associate degree in Health Information Technology from DeVry University, and prepare to be an HIT leader in contemporary hospitals, physicians' offices, medical clinics, and more. DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
AS in Medical Assisting	Herzing University — With a 45 year history, Herzing University is an accredited university that offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees as well as diplomas in over 45 different programs. The AS in Medical Assisting program builds on the online diploma program by incorporating the general education requirements required for this level of degree. Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
AS in Medical Assisting	Keiser University — Keiser University, founded in 1977, is a private, regionally accredited career university offering certificates, associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. The AS in Medical Assisting program prepares students to perform medical assisting duties under the direction of a physician or practitioner. Keiser University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
AS in Health Info Mgmt AS in Health Admin	Hodges University — Founded in 1990, Hodges University is one the premier private universities in the State of Florida. The AS in Health Information Management and AS in Health Administration programs, while not ultrasound training programs, do teach students how to use information technology to meet the needs of the healthcare industry. Hodges University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
AAS in Health IT	Rasmussen College — Founded in 1900, Rasmussen College has grown to now include 22 campuses and more than 40 diverse online degree programs where students can choose from many bachelor's and associate's degrees. The AAS in Health Information Technology program prepares students to become health information technicians. Rasmussen College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
BS in Health Services Mgmt	Virginia College — Founded in 1983, Virginia College is a private institution of higher education committed to offering associate degrees, diploma courses, and baccalaureate degrees at over 20 different campuses. The BS in Health Services Management program prepares you for mid-level management positions in health care organizations including hospitals, physician practices, and home health agencies. Virginia is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.