Medical Laboratory Assistant
HI 6600

Medical Laboratory Assistant

Online Certification Training

Collect, prepare, and transport patient specimens, and perform various testing on blood, urine, and other bodily fluids. Watch our program sneak peek below!

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16  Weeks
Program Length
CMLA, CPT
Certifications
$33,297
Avg. Starting Salary*
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Issuing Authorities

This program is NOT available to residents of the following states: AR, GA, ND, NV, OK, PA, RI, WI

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Watch our Clinical Medical Laboratory Assistant Program Sneak Peek!

MedCerts programs are developed with collaboration from our in-house production team, industry-recognized subject matter experts and our education technology design team. From interactive simulations, interviews with real world experts, game based learning and more, our Instructional Design education model is created to meet the needs of every type of learner.

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Medical Lab Assistant Online Training

MedCerts Tuition Advantage

We believe everyone should have access to higher education. With the option to pay in full, break down payments or utilize government grant funding, we help expand that access.

Monthly Payment Options as low as $346 Payment Plans for Every Student

Talk with an Education Consultant to pick the perfect payment plan, from paying in full to installments with interest rates from 0-12%.

Total Tuition $4,000 Pay in Full

The total tuition can be paid immediately or through a number of grant-funded or monthly payment plan options.

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The pricing listed above for a monthly payment plan is an estimate for the cost of an 12-month payment plan including down payment. Final pricing is given at time of purchase and may vary from both pricing examples above.

MyCAA, Department of Defense Credentialing Assistance/COOL and Workforce Grants

MedCerts offers financial aid options through these government grant-funded programs – MyCAA, Workforce Funding (including WIOA), and Department of Defense Credentialing Assistance or COOL funding for the Army, Air Force and Coast Guard. Those eligible include Military Spouses; active duty Army, Reserves, and National Guard members; active duty Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air Force National Guard, and US Space Force; active duty Coast Guard and SELRES members (enlisted and officers); or workforce-funded qualifying job seekers. Speak to an Education Consultant to see if you qualify.

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What Does a Medical Lab Assistant Do?

Medical Laboratory Assistants play a very important role in patient health. They are responsible for collecting blood, tissue and other samples from patients, and preparing samples for testing and analysis. Lab Assistants are also hands-on health workers, working directly with patients, often during sensitive times, and may accompany patients through difficult processes. Medical Lab Assistants typically work in inpatient or outpatient medical facilities, however, are often employed in private and public labs or research institutions. Some choose to specialize in biochemistry, cytology, hematology, histopathology, immunology, or microbiology.

162,551
Entry Level Jobs in the US
Medical Laboratory Assistants will see available jobs grow 4% over the next ten years.
All available job and salary information is from Burning Glass Labor Insights and is updated annually to reflect industry changes.

What You’ll Learn
HI 6600
Medical Laboratory Assistant

A Medical Laboratory Assistant (also known as Lab Aid/Assistant, Specimen Processor/collector), is an important member of the laboratory healthcare team. They collect, prepare, and transport patient specimens, and may perform various testing on blood, urine, and other bodily fluids. Lab Assistants perform the tests and procedures that physicians and other healthcare providers order, which are often used for the diagnosis of disease. Depending on the laboratory department, the Medical Lab Assistant may be responsible for test kit management and quality control which includes proper ordering, inventory, and storage. The Medical Lab assistant role will also include accurate documentation, records management, and communication with other ordering physicians. They use microscopes, cell counters, and other sophisticated laboratory equipment. After testing and examining a specimen, they analyze the results and relay them to physicians.

The MedCerts Medical Laboratory Assistant program provides students with immersive and virtual hands-on learning experiences. Procedures are demonstrated using virtual tools or live-recorded video and are simulated – allowing the students to immerse themselves into a virtual experience that is engaging, safe, and repeatable.

This program is ideal for individuals that have an interest in healthcare science and who desire to be part of a highly skilled team in a growing field. To be successful as a Medical Lab Assistant, individuals must be comfortable working with bodily fluids, thus this is not a career for the squeamish. Because of the physical requirements of the job, techs must generally have strong manual dexterity and physical stamina. This program is not only ideal for entry-level career seekers but also provides a great opportunity for those already working in allied health to upskill and advance into a new career direction. This is also a great way for a Phlebotomist to advance his/her career.

This program prepares students for the Certified Medical Lab Assistant (CMLA) certification exam, offered by American Medical Technologists (AMT). MedCerts graduates are eligible to take the exam and will earn provisional certification upon passing. Once employed as a Lab Assistant, graduates will gain the 120 hours of documented, approved clinical laboratory experience required for the grant of full certification.

Additionally, students will have the knowledge for the Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) certification, through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). In order to receive full certification, students are required to complete 30 venipuncture and 10 capillary sticks on a live person.

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  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the soft skill expectations of an allied healthcare professional
  2. Grasp the importance of customer service, communication skills and professionalism
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of laboratory testing in various laboratory departments
  4. Understand responsibilities of patient care and safety related to preparation and collection complications
  5. Maintain solution-oriented conversations, manage conflicts,,and build self-confidence
  6. Recognize the importance of infection control and safety compliance with diagnostic testing
  7. Demonstrate an understanding of the soft skill expectations of an allied healthcare professional .
HI 6600

Enrollment Requirements

  1. High School Diploma or GED
  2. Web browser with internet connection
  3. Course registration & payment

MedCerts-Covered Materials*

  1. Expert-led video based training
  2. Competency assessments
  3. National Certification exam fee
  4. eBook: Phlebotomy Worktext and Procedures Manual
  5. Textbook: Clinical Laboratory Science

Student Services

  1. Dedicated Student Success Advisors
  2. Tailored support based on performance & behavior
  3. Exam preparation process
  4. 1 yr. post-program extended access to Career Center & Career Coaches

Clinical Requirements

  1. CMLA: 120 hours of documented, approved clinical laboratory experience
  2. CPT: 30 venipuncture and 10 capillary sticks
Required Courses
PS 1011

Professionalism in Allied Health

32 hours
Length
2 Weeks
Duration

This course will benefit anyone considering a career in allied health, as well as those already working in the field. Allied Health Professionals must be committed to the key attributes of professionalism and strive to reflect this within the delivery of patient-centered safe and effective care. “Professionalism” is a broad term that reflects many different skills and abilities. For an individual to exhibit professionalism, he/she must be armed with specific skills and abilities that do not always show up within certification requirements, or even within a career training curriculum. Soft skills are hard to measure and are typically less well-defined than hard skills. However, soft skills are what set many job candidates apart. Professionalism is not just what one knows, it is how one does their job, how one behaves and how one comes across as they interact with others.

The purpose of this course is to provide students with soft skills training that will provide the tools needed to demonstrate a higher level of professionalism on the job. Key components of the course focus on patient interaction, proper office behavior, medical ethics, diversity and cultural bias, emotional strength, professional appearance and communication. The course maintains a focus on the key attributes that are true markers of professionalism.

This course was created with input from healthcare professionals working in the field, healthcare employers that hire our graduates, professional educators and even former MedCerts students. The end result is a collection of modules that touch on the soft skills that are TRULY important in the real world of allied healthcare. In this course, students are engaged through scenario-based learning that allows for real interaction with virtual co-workers and patients. Additionally, game-based activities keep students engaged and entertained throughout their learning journey.

    • Gain an understanding of the expectations of an allied healthcare professional in the workplace
    • Develop and exercise emotional intelligence, self-management and interpersonal skills
    • Build and improve internal and external communication skills with all exchanges
    • Enhance the patient care experience with successful interactions and patient satisfaction
    • Maintain solution-oriented conversations, manage conflict and build self-confidence
HI 1014

Introduction to Human Anatomy and Medical Terminology

96 hours
Length
6 Weeks
Duration

This course is designed to familiarize the student with the language of medicine, through the study of prefixes, suffixes, root words, abbreviation, and pronunciation of words. The curriculum also includes an anatomy and physiology app that enables students to explore, visualize, interact, and experience the anatomy of the human body in 3D and augmented reality (AR). Students will examine the organization of the integumentary, musculoskeletal, hematic, lymphatic and immune, and cardiovascular systems in the human body. They will become familiar with the medical terms that relate to the respiratory, digestive, nervous, endocrine, reproductive, and excretory systems. Students will also examine terms related to the sensory organs, with a concentration on the organs for hearing, sight, and smell. This immersive experience will trigger thought processes and enhance learning outcomes in their Anatomy and Physiology program. The app has about 50 simulations across different topics.

    • Recognize the structure and function of the 11 body systems and their organs
    • Understand the medical language that is used to describe those systems
    • Analyze and understand medical terms by breaking down their word components
    • Appreciate the major diseases and conditions related to the human body
    • Apply your knowledge within the healthcare setting
HI 6011

Phlebotomy

64 hours
Length
4 Weeks
Duration

Phlebotomy is a comprehensive course with insight and focus on specimen collection for diagnostic testing in the healthcare facility, providing foundational knowledge required of an allied healthcare professional. Video-based lessons include fundamentals of phlebotomy with emphasis on infection control, safety, communication skills, patient care and preparation, venipuncture equipment and supplies, specimen collection, handling, transport and processing.

In this course, students are exposed to a variety of eLearning elements that allow for hands-on interaction with the screen for an engaging education. Simulations will provide the student opportunities to practice key phlebotomy skills performed in a medical facility. In addition to video-based instruction and simulation, a variety of other learning methods are utilized for engagement, entertainment and inspiration throughout training.

    • Recognize the importance of infection control and safety compliance with diagnostic testing
    • Understand the responsibilities of teamwork and communication skills in the healthcare setting
    • Appreciate the role of the Phlebotomy Technician in patient care, preparation and venipuncture
    • Identify proper organization and utilization of specimen collection equipment and supplies
    • Gain an understanding of blood and non-blood collections, handling, transport and processing
HI 6017

Medical Lab Assisting

64 hours
Length
4 Weeks
Duration

Medical Lab Assisting is a comprehensive course with insight and focus on the role of the Medical Lab Assistant. The course provides foundational knowledge required of a clinical allied healthcare professional. Emphasis is placed on the laboratory procedures performed in hematology, coagulation, immunology, serology, the blood bank, microbiology and urinalysis. This course includes topics related to infection control procedures, use of personal protective equipment, OSHA regulations, laboratory testing and quality control. It also addresses clerical duties, effective communication, and legal, ethical, and professional behavior related to interactions with laboratory personnel and ordering physicians. 

    • Discuss the role, responsibilities and certification of a Medical Laboratory Assistant
    • Comply with laboratory safety standards, infection control procedures, and OSHA regulations
    • Define terms commonly used in a medical laboratory environment
    • Demonstrate knowledge of laboratory testing in various laboratory departments
    • Exhibit legal, ethical and professional behavior
    • Perform clerical, effective communication and interpersonal relation skills 
Code Course Duration
PS 1011 2 Weeks
HI 1014 6 Weeks
HI 6011 4 Weeks
HI 6017 4 Weeks
Total Program Duration 16 Weeks

Eligible Certifications

CMLA Online Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant Course

CPT Online Certified Phlebotomy Technician Certification Course

Medical Laboratory Assistant

Job Opportunities

Entry Level

Health Technician

$30,491 – $40,560*
Estimated Salary

Laboratory Specimen Processor

$22,000 – $36,000*
Estimated Salary

Medical Lab Assistant

$27,718 – $33,202*
Estimated Salary
  1. This program is NOT available to residents of the following states: Arkansas, Georgia, North Dakota, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Wisconsin
  2. The Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant (CMLA) certification is recognized in all 50 states. The job duties of a Medical Lab Assistant may include drawing blood. Individuals who intend to work in the states of California or Washington should be aware that this program is not approved to prepare students to draw blood.
  3. The job duties of a Medical Lab Assistant may include drawing blood. Individuals who intend to work in the states of California or Washington should be aware that this program is not approved to prepare students to draw blood. This program is not recognized by the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC), and therefore residents of the State of Georgia are NOT eligible for enrollment into this program.
  4. While MedCerts training and related target certifications may be accepted and/or approved by your state of residency, employers reserve the right to dictate prerequisite education, experience, or certification/licensure requirements for their positions. We strongly advise students to research target job posts from area employers and relevant state requirements, barriers, or restrictions prior to enrollment to ensure eligibility upon graduation.

Clinical Medical Lab Assistant