Clinical Laboratory Career Ladder

Individuals interested in a medical laboratory career may direct their goals to one of many levels of education. The entry-level position is:

Phlebotomist/Lab Assistant

Responsibilities: Draw blood for analysis in the laboratory. Assist in performing some laboratory testing.
Qualifications: High School Diploma or equivalent, train in a California approved CPT 1 program, pass a national certifying exam. For more information on California approved CPT programs, refer to the following website: http://www.dhs.ca.gov/ps/ls/lfsb/html/phlebotomy.htm

The next step is:

*Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT)**

Responsibilities: Performs Moderate and waived testing in the clinical laboratory.
Qualifications: Associate's Degree from a NAACLS accredited MLT training program including 6 months training in a hospital, pass a national certification exam.

The next step is:

*Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS)

Responsibilities: Perform all diagnostic testing in the clinical laboratory. Responsible for quality control and researching and selecting new methods of testing.
Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and 12 months training in a California approved CLS program, pass the California State Licensing Exam.

For more information:

Phlebotomy: Pat Hassel: hasselpatricia@fhda.edu
MLT: Debbie Wagner: wagnerdebbie@fhda.edu
CLS: Mara Williams: cls@science.sjsu.edu

*Partially funded by local hospitals
**NAACLS accredited MLT Program 8410 Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 670, Chicago, IL 60631 (773-714-8880)