From medical laboratories, testing facilities and doctor’s offices to large lab facilities, food ingredient labs and industrial labs, Life Science Laboratory Assistants participate in a wide range of testing procedures that can be very rewarding. Most lab assistants enjoy working in a stable environment where testing is consistent and lab processes and procedures are clearly defined. If you enjoy science and math, excel at getting the details right, possess dexterity and can communicate well with others; if the testing processes and life sciences intrigue you, this might be the profession that will make your career path flourish like never before.
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The Life Science Laboratory Assistant Certificate of Specialization is a 16-credit hour program designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in life science research, development and production. Students in this program will learn to master basic lab techniques and methods used in life science research and development laboratories such as pipetting, DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction, centrifugation and more. Students will also learn laboratory math to support their life science lab skills as well as the language skills they will need to effectively communicate with others in the field.
This 16-credit hour program is designed to be earned in one year, as two consecutive semesters, and to serve as a bridge into the Biotechnology AAS degree program and other Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs.
Additionally, the certificate is earned as part of what is called a learning community enviro
nment. This means supportive groups of students will attend all the same classes together at the same time. Additional support includes tutoring, small class sizes, career readiness training, job-seeking assistance and biotechnology industry exposure and networking. Students can expect to gain hands-on experience in a biotechnology lab.
All classes are taught at the state-of-the-art Bio-Research & Development Growth (BRDG) Park at the Danforth Plant Science Center, near Monsanto in Creve Coeur. This location provides students with additional opportunities to network within the biotechnology industry as well as tour labs in the BRDG Park building and the neighboring Danforth Plant Science Center.
Due to the limited class size of the program, interested students must complete a program application, earn acceptable scores on the required placement tests, and complete interviews as needed to be eligible for admission.
OPPORTUNITIES IN THIS FIELD
Since the program’s inception, graduates of the program have gained employment at St. Louis Community College-Florissant Valley, Monsanto, Washington University, American Red Cross and more. Most of the graduates of the program continue their education in associate degree programs, including Nursing, Science Engineering and Biotechnology. Six of the credits earned in the Life Science Lab Assistant program apply to the AAS degree in Biotechnology.
JOB OUTLOOK
Employment of medical laboratory technologists is projected to grow 14 percent from 2012 to 2022, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Employment of medical laboratory technicians is projected to grow 30 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. As the general population ages, more lab technicians will be needed to staff the labs that are required to diagnose a wide range of illnesses. Additionally, with the retirement of long-time staff, more lab assistants will be crucial to filling these empty positions. Some states require laboratory personnel to be licensed. Eventually, lab technicians usually go on to obtain their bachelor’s degree and become technologists in their field.
For more information about job opportunities, access Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center or The Occupational Outlook Handbook.
SALARY INFORMATION
Individual salaries vary by geographic location, the technician’s education and experience, and the type and size of the employer. For the latest salary range and employment information click on the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
FEES
Please visit MO Scores for the most current information. Additional fees apply to some courses. Fees are subject to change. Please click on the following link for information about Financial Aid.
For 12 years Dave Busby went to to work every day as a machinist for a Chrysler supplier. When the automotive industry plunged into a downward spiral in the fall of 2008, Dave found himself out of work when his company closed its doors.
Dave Busby in the tissue culture lab at the Danforth Center.
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Congratulations to St. Louis Community College's Life Science Lab Assistant and Biotechnology programs, whose joint presentation was named a finalist for a prestigious 2016 Bellwether Award.
STLCC's entry, "Building a Degree Pathway in Biotechnology from High School to Employment," was a finalist in the Workforce Development category. The presentation described the work that the college is currently doing to provide opportunities for high school students to learn more about STEM occupations and provide pathways for fulfilling careers.
The presentation was done by Scott Gevaert, Ph.D., Life Science Lab Assistant program coordinator; Jennifer Hill, Biotechnology program coordinator; Julie Fickas, interim dean of the Science, Math, and Health division at the Meramec campus; Tim Knox, science teacher from Affton High School; and me.
To be considered in this category, programs or activities must demonstrate a public and/or private alliance and partnership that promotes community and economic development.
The other categories are Instructional Programs and Services, and Planning, Governance & Finance.
Only 10 finalists are chosen in these categories from more than 1,000 entries. Nominations are submitted from cosponsoring organizations, state officials, previously competitively reviewed presentations at other national conventions, and programs featured in the media across the nation.
The winning entry in the Workforce Development category was submitted by Alamo Colleges (San Antonio, TX). Awards were presented Jan. 26.
The Bellwether Awards are presented by the Community College Futures Assembly and sponsored by the Institute of Higher Education at the University of Florida. The futures assembly convenes annually as an independent national policy forum for key opinion leaders to serve as a think tank in identifying critical issues facing the future of community colleges, and to recognize Bellwether finalist colleges as trend-setting institutions.
Congratulations again to STLCC's Life Science Lab Assistant and Biotechnology programs for being nominated for this outstanding award.
Jeff Pittman
Chancellor
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