Science Laboratory Jobs

If you are looking for a career path that marries chemistry, biology, medicine, and problem solving, then a degree in clinical laboratory science, or career training as a laboratory technician, may be a good fit for you. Professionals who work in the clinical laboratory perform tests to ensure accurate medical diagnoses. A degree in this health and medical field will qualify you for employment in the hospital system or in clinics, working as a researcher or lab technician.

Clinical laboratory scientists and technicians use specialized procedures and equipment to determine the causes and cures of diseases. These experts use reagents, chemicals, and laboratory equipment to test body fluids and tissues. This is a very versatile degree, with many career opportunities and specializations. The evaluation of blood and tissue samples, and the precision and insight involved in diagnosing and analyzing medical findings, are vital to treating injury and disease.

A degree in clinical laboratory science will begin with a solid foundation in the underlying principles of science. Aspects of basic chemistry, organic chemistry, and biology lead to more specified investigation into the workings of the human body. After the fundamentals of science are mastered, students will gain skills in microscopy, urinalysis, microbiology, hematology, immunohematology, immunology, and clinical chemistry. Working from this foundation, students learn how to perform precise tests with laboratory equipment and how to analyze and interpret their findings. A degree in clinical laboratory sciences will also prepare students to develop skills in laboratory administration, research, and teaching.

Associate Degrees

Two-year associate degree programs are more likely to focus on laboratory technology rather than laboratory science. These degrees prepare students to assist in laboratories, or to perform their own tests in a particular subfield, such as diagnostic sonography or radiologic science. The associate degree provides basic knowledge of the fundamentals of medical science and the functions of clinical laboratories.