Medical laboratory technicians also work behind the scenes, insulating these professionals from otherwise hectic environments. These professionals perform standard medical tests on body tissue, blood, and other fluids, providing the insight that physicians need to make their diagnoses.
Due to ever-evolving technology, there’s more reliance on medical tests than ever before. That means a solid job market, ample room for upward mobility, a climate-controlled environment, and great pay rates – all without a university degree!
How to Become a Medical Lab Tech
Lab technicians need to complete a two-year associate degree, which can be obtained at hundreds of technical schools across the country. If you already earned your associate degree in an unrelated medical field, a one-year certificate program may be a suitable option.
3. Sterile Processing Technician
If you like the idea of a low-stress job that appreciates your compulsive cleaning and organizing (while making a serious difference in the lives of patients), why not check out the field of sterile processing?
Also known as a medical equipment preparer or sterilization technician, these allied health professionals ensure that all surgical equipment and tools are sterilized, in perfect working order, and delivered to medical offices and operating rooms.
It’s largely an autonomous role, which is ideal for someone who’s self-motivated. Successful SPTs often move up the ladder into supervisor roles (gain a healthy average salary) or head back to school if they decide that becoming a member of the surgical team is a great fit.
How to Become a Sterile Processing Tech
Most SPTs gain their certification via an SPT training course. In under one year, you’ll learn about decontamination, sterilization, the proper use of tools, and infection control. After your clinical internship, you’ll be ready to work in any hospital or clinic sterilization lab.
