How to Build a Clinical Laboratory Assistant Career Path
It is safe to say that a career in the healthcare sector will always be in demand, especially in the face of a global pandemic. The Singapore government is expected to increase their initiatives in the healthcare sector by 2022. With this development, you can anticipate a demand for healthcare workers, both for frontline teams and support staff.
If you want a healthcare career that works with practitioners to provide patients with a high level of professional care, consider pursuing the clinical laboratory assistant career path.
What does a clinical laboratory assistant do?
A clinical laboratory assistant is a healthcare professional that can work in a hospital, testing center, or research facility. They work under the supervision of a physician or a laboratory manager or technician to discover diseases and other medical issues. They are also responsible for some of the following tasks:
- ensure that the laboratory complies with all applicable regulations and laws
- assist in preventive maintenance and troubleshooting laboratory instruments
- perform administrative tasks related to patient care
- accurately register, receive, process biological specimens and cultures
- dispose and maintain specimens according to laboratory policies
- accurate and timely tracking of samples and data
- direct the distribution of specimens to other laboratory sections as needed
Salary Range
The entry-level monthly salary for medical support and assistant roles is S$ 2,750 per month. Clinical laboratory assistants entering the workforce can refer to this figure since their role falls under this specialisation.
Those with more experience, however, can expect a bigger paycheck. The JobStreet Salary Report 2020 showed that between 2018 and 2019, Senior Managers in healthcare received an 18% increase in their average salary.
What is the career path of a clinical laboratory assistant?
Junior, mid-level, and senior level career opportunities are available for clinical laboratory assistants depending on their years of experience.
Junior Level (1-3 years experience)
- Laboratory Assistant (Clinical Chemistry)
- Laboratory/ Technical Assistant (Microbiology)
- Medical Laboratory Technologist
- Phlebotomist
Mid Level (4-8 years experience)
- Assistant Manager (Laboratory Informatics Analyst)
- Senior Medical Technologist
- Senior Pathologist
- Medical Technologist_Laboratory Medicine
Senior level (8 years or more)
- Head of Microbiology Department
- Senior/Postdoctoral Associate – MSC Biology
- Scientific Officer
- Microbiologist
What requirements do you need to become a clinical laboratory assistant?
On top of running routine laboratory tests, there are a variety of tasks related to patient care that a clinical laboratory assistant performs. Here is a list of professional skills and soft skills that are good to have in this line of work.
Professional Skills
Phlebotomy
Phlebotomy is the procedure of drawing blood through an incision or puncture on a vein. The safe and efficient collection of blood is an important skill to have in diagnosing medical conditions.
Critical Thinking
Gathering and analysing specimens for routine and specialised tests needs a clinical laboratory assistant who has the ability to synthesise and evaluate findings. This will help identify the most effective treatment for patients.
Knowledge of Medical Terminology
Using medical terms with ease will ensure seamless communication between medical practitioners with whom a clinical laboratory assistant will interact. Sufficient knowledge of medical terms also helps standardise the documentation of laboratory policies as well as patient procedures.
Soft Skills
Attention to Detail
Because results are used for medical analysis, gathering and recording data accurately is critical to the role of a clinical laboratory assistant. Carelessness and disinterest in details could result in life threatening situations.
Compassion
Being compassionate towards patients and clients in a clinical setting will help them feel better about themselves. Compassion allows a clinical laboratory assistant to put themselves in a patient or client’s shoes. This in turn will make them more respectful and sympathetic practitioners.
Communication Skills
In a laboratory setting, good communication skills are literally a matter of life and death. It is important for a clinical laboratory assistant to have the ability to clearly explain, as well as patiently listen to, medical information.
Educational background
Most clinical laboratory assistants are expected to at least have a NITEC in Biomedical Science, or a GCE “Nâ€/ “O†Level in the same field of study. A Diploma or a Degree in Medical Laboratory Science or its equivalent is also listed as one of the common requirements for this role.
Opportunities for continuous education
Currently, there are no certification programs required of a clinical laboratory assistant in Singapore. However, there are courses that one can take for further studies.
Since many healthcare facilities conduct laboratory tests, studying Applied Science or Medical Technology are related fields of study that are suggested.
How to write a clinical laboratory assistant resume?
When creating a resume for a clinical laboratory assistant, highlight the information on your laboratory skills and other patient-related abilities. If you are a recent graduate, know that you can create a resume even when you have no work experience. Here are six tips on how to do that.
Download this Clinical Laboratory Assistant resume HERE.
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