Education · 1 of 5

The path

A science degree plus a clinical year, then a national certification exam. About four years in total.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Biology and chemistry above all. Labs are chemistry with consequences.

2. 2

   Bachelor's degree

   4 years

   Either a medical laboratory science degree, or a biology or chemistry degree plus a separate clinical program afterwards.

3. 3

   Accredited clinical program

   10 to 12 months

   Rotations through chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology and blood banking. Mayo Clinic runs a 10.5 month program at sites in Minnesota, Florida and Arizona.

4. 4

   National certification exam

   Weeks

   Taken once you finish. Employers treat passing it as the real qualification, not the degree on its own.

5. 5

   First hospital post

   Year 1

   You start on one bench, usually chemistry or hematology, and rotate as you prove out.