Online Lab Tech Courses and Classes Overview

Lab techs perform tests for determining drug effectiveness, diagnosing diseases and researching diseases including cancer. Online lab tech courses and classes are part of certificate or associate degree programs that train students in clinical laboratory technology.

Online Lab Tech Courses and Classes

Online lab tech courses are usually offered as hybrid courses because, although class work can be done online, hands-on components must be completed in clinical lab or training site. Students can earn certificates of completion or degrees, including medical technician associate's degree or a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expected that employment for clinical laboratory technicians would grow faster than other occupations, up to 16% between 2008-2018 (www.bls.gov).

Online Requirements

Course materials for online lab tech courses are offered via the school's website, so students need a computer with broadband Internet access and an e-mail address for correspondence with instructors. Computers should have a sound card with speakers and an optical media drive.
Students receive assignments and coursework through Web conferencing, streaming audio and video lectures and e-mail. To ensure computers support these formats, they should be equipped with sufficient software and utilities, including an up-to-date operating system and office software suite, current browser, PDF reader and media players.

Lab Online Courses

Lab Operations Course

Students learn the practice and theory of managing a clinical laboratory. Topics in this course include financial and personnel management, quality control and assurance, accreditation, regulation, information management and continuing education.

Medical Terminology Course

Students learn the parts of the body in this course, along with the basic medical terminology that is necessary to work effectively in a lab or other medical environment. This course may be a prerequisite for other courses.

Clinical Chemistry & Body Fluids Course

The course teaches students the principles of the function and structure of the human body's organic compounds. Emphasis is on organ system function and its reaction to abnormal and normal lab results. Students learn about body fluids, fluid chemistry, serum and urinalysis.

Human Biology Basics Course

Students learn the basic concepts of human biology, including body systems, biochemistry, cell function and structure. This course emphasizes t evolution and genetics, along with the relationship between the ecosystem and humans.

Intro to Lab Techniques Course

This course introduces students to the basic techniques and equipment in the medical laboratory, including balances, lab glassware, solution chemistry, titration and basic lab mathematics. Focus is on the fundamental procedures of a clinical laboratory.

Introduction to Hematology Course

Students are introduced to the practical application and theory of hematology procedures as a way of differentiating abnormal from normal red blood cells. Students also learn to evaluate and understand blood smears, hematopoeisis, red blood cell functions and diseases associated with abnormalities in the blood.