Clinical Lab Technician

Clinical Laboratory Technician - Performs routine laboratory tests on blood, urine, and body fluids to help in the diagnosis and treatment of disease and injury in:

• Hospital
• Clinical laboratory
• Reference laboratory

Laboratory Technician/Research Assistant - Performs routine and special laboratory tests in:

• Laboratory settings: research, industrial, environmental and food science labs.

With additional training and/or work experience, graduates may find employment as:

• Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Medical Technologist)
• Medical Microbiologist
• Laboratory Computer Sales or Training Specialist
• Laboratory Sales/Product Representative
• Instrument Service Technician
• Quality Control Officer
• Biomedical Instrument Specialist
• Clinical Research Associate
• Safety Officer
• Laboratory Science Instructor/Trainer

Students entering the program should:

• Have good reading, math, and comprehension skills.
• Be in good physical and emotional health.
• Be flexible, adaptable, and enjoy working with people.
• Be self-confident, independent, and a self-directed learner.
• Meet Wisconsin Caregiver Law requirements.

Students who graduate from the Clinical Lab Technician Program will be able to:

• Collect, process and preserve blood and other body fluid samples.
• Perform and report laboratory tests in a variety of laboratory settings.
• Operate laboratory equipment and instruments, performing preventive and corrective maintenance as required.
• Identify pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical variables that affect procedures, instruments and results, and take appropriate corrective action.
• Perform mathematical functions as required by laboratory procedures.
• Perform and monitor quality assurance and quality control techniques.
• Practice laboratory safety and regulatory compliance.
• Perform information processing functions in the clinical laboratory.
• Apply laboratory results to diagnosis and treatment of clinical conditions and/or diseases.
• Communicate with colleagues and patients in a professional manner.
• Model professional behaviors, ethics, and appearance.

• Day, evening/weekend and online classes may be available.
• Financial aid is available to those that qualify.
• August program start date; however, some classes will be available in January.
• Qualified students may take some courses immediately upon program acceptance.
• Students must achieve a grade of a C or better in each course of the program curriculum to be eligible to progress.
• Current Healthcare Provider CPR certification must be maintained throughout the program.
• Sign off as qualified in Functional Abilities after acceptance to the program and prior to first clinical.

NOTE: Completed physical examination with complete medical and vaccination history must be on file prior to any clinical placement or rotation.

• Caregiver Background Check (CBC); view the Background Information Disclosure Instructions (PDF) found on the Department of Health and Family Services website or on the SWTC website.
• Physical exam with a completed Medical Physical History Form on file prior to beginning the first semester clinical rotation.

• High School Graduation or Equivalency.
• Submit official high school and post secondary transcripts.
• Complete required HESI admissions assessment testing to demonstrate pre-set subtest scores
• Pay required assessment testing fee.
• Complete application form.
• Pay a $30 nonrefundable application fee.
• Interview with counselor.