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What is a clinical laboratory assistant and how to become one
The role of a Clinical Laboratory Assistant is to support, prepare and test specimens and perform some more common tasks, tests, and paperwork. Assistants are sometimes confused with Technicians, but the latter are scientists in a more senior position, with more complex duties and responsibilities.
The Clinical Laboratory Assistant, amongst other things, performs tests such as examining cells under a microscope or using medical and lab tools to separate blood cells and plasma or run disease detection tests on various samples with the aid of automated lab technology.
They are also meant to greet any patients, answer phones, and complete other administrative and office tasks. A person hoping to begin work as a Lab Assistant generally must have completed a one- or two-year college education or certificate program. Further certification, formal training, and licensing may also be required.
What general advice would you give to a clinical laboratory assistant?
Dr. Tanea Reed Ph.D.
Chair, Professor, Eastern Kentucky University
Avg. Salary $32,679
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 10%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.80%
Asian 12.07%
Black or African American 9.71%
Hispanic or Latino 17.52%
Unknown 5.13%
White 54.76%
Genderfemale 74.58%
male 25.42%
Age - 44American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 44Stress level is high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work life balance is excellent
6.4 - fair
Clinical laboratory assistant career paths
Key steps to become a clinical laboratory assistant
Explore clinical laboratory assistant education requirements
Start to develop specific clinical laboratory assistant skills
Skills Percentages Patients 17.10% Phlebotomy 14.38% Clinical Lab 7.00% Customer Service 5.99% Specimen Collection 4.37% Complete relevant clinical laboratory assistant training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New clinical laboratory assistants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a clinical laboratory assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real clinical laboratory assistant resumes.Research clinical laboratory assistant duties and responsibilities
- Achieve PHLEBOTOMY duties utilizing proper infection control techniques and perform a variety of laboratory tests.
- Process specimen, recollect and deliver to chemistry, microbiology, molecular or hematology departments for testing.
- Receive specimens for microbiology, histology, cytology, anatomic pathology and hematology tests/procedures, checks for proper identification and requisition.
- Operate EKG and other equipment to administer routine diagnostic tests.
Prepare your clinical laboratory assistant resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your clinical laboratory assistant resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a clinical laboratory assistant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable clinical laboratory assistant resume templates
Build a professional clinical laboratory assistant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your clinical laboratory assistant resume.
Apply for clinical laboratory assistant jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a clinical laboratory assistant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first clinical laboratory assistant job
Are you a clinical laboratory assistant?
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Average clinical laboratory assistant salary
The average clinical laboratory assistant salary in the United States is $32,679 per year or $16 per hour. Clinical laboratory assistant salaries range between $26,000 and $40,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do clinical laboratory assistants rate their job?
Clinical laboratory assistant reviews
I like the work. Chemistry . Serology . Micro . Blood Bank
Low pay ..No Respect
It gives me joy to diagnose and save lives. I am always satisfied and contempt that I am achieving my life goals.
Nothing really except the hazard involved.
Updated January 8, 2025
