Clinical Laboratory Science Degree Information - Bachelor Degree Info

Clinical Laboratory Science Degree Overview

Summary of the Degree

A Clinical Laboratory Science Degree teaches students how to be important members of a healthcare team. A Clinical Laboratory Scientist works side by side with physicians in collecting data necessary to maintain health and provide optimal care to patients. Other duties performed by a Clinical Laboratory Scientist are working at complex analytical instruments, computers, microscopes and pipetting. Scientist may also be responsible for administration, management and quality assurance of general laboratory production. Some of the more general courses mandatory in a Clinical Laboratory Science Degree Program include:

• Biochemistry
• Microbiology
• Environmental Microbiology
• Applied and Industrial Microbiology
• Microbial Physiology
• Phycology
• Analysis of Biological Data
• Limnology
• Biological Simulation Practices

Career Fields

The U.S. Department of Labor www.bls.gov reported job opportunities for Clinical Laboratory Scientists are excellent because of the continued increase in the amount of laboratory tests due to both population growth and the development of new types of tests. Medical and clinical laboratory technicians will find work respectively in colleges, universities and professional schools, general medical and surgical hospitals, offices of physicians, medical and diagnostic laboratories, and other health care services.

Occupational Outlook

American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ACLS) www.acls.org developed a Model Career Ladder for a Clinical Laboratory Scientist. According to ACLS career ladder, a Clinical Laboratory Scientist may start as a Technician I (entry Level) and precede up the rung, hitting such levels as Technician III, Scientist I through IV and then Advance Scientist I through III. ACLS reported that Jobs Rated Almanac stated that Clinical Laboratory Science has 25% job growth along with positive job security. The average starting salary ranges from $26,000 to $43,000 annually depending on geographic location.