Components of Lab Tech Programs

Medical laboratory technology programs, also called clinical laboratory technology programs, prepare individuals to perform a variety of tasks, such as running tests on bodily fluids under the supervision of physicians, medical technologists or other healthcare professionals in medical and clinical laboratories. Medical laboratory technology programs often lead to an associate degree and generally include specific components to ensure students receive solid education in medical technology.

Classroom Instruction

• Medical laboratory technology classroom instruction focuses on current medical theories and provides students with intensive medical laboratory education. Students develop a solid understanding of the principles of medical laboratory technology as well as proper laboratory techniques. Students also learn how to use laboratory testing to identify and treat a variety of medical conditions. Coursework generally includes medical technology, chemistry, microbiology, hematology, immunohematology and clinical laboratory practices. Students are also typically required to complete courses in anatomy and physiology, analysis of bodily fluids, English, phlebotomy, communications and psychology.

Laboratory Instruction

• The majority of lab tech programs require students to complete intensive laboratory education that builds on classroom instruction and enables a thorough understanding of medical laboratory technology. The laboratory learning environment provides students with instruction that enables them to develop and build solid reasoning and critical thinking abilities and master clinical laboratory skills. Students participate in a variety of activities such as laboratory discussions and hands-on experiments in which they analyze laboratory results and note observations.

  Laboratory instruction focuses on repetition of basic laboratory procedures to help students develop proficiency. Teaching laboratories are often equipped with a variety of medical tools such as microscopes and testing equipment. Students are able to work with actual clinical specimens and are typically required to compose detailed lab write-ups to assist with the association of laboratory assignments with theories.

Clinical Experience

• Many medical laboratory technology programs enable students to gain hands-on experience in actual medical laboratories. Clinical experiences enable students to correlate real-world experience to the concepts learned in the classroom and laboratory. The teacher to student ratio is typically very small and students complete supervised tasks. Students typically gain clinical experience in a variety of areas of medical laboratories including microbiology labs and blood banks. Many educational programs require students to complete a minimum number of hours in clinical settings. Most programs require students to successfully complete all classroom and laboratory instruction components before beginning clinical learning experiences.