Laboratory technicians run tests on blood and other bodily fluids to check for abnormalities and signs of disease. This is an important step in much medical diagnosis. If you aspire to this type of work, then colleges for lab technicians will offer you the training you need to find your first job. While a few lab technicians may learn their skills through experience, an associate degree from colleges for lab technicians will enhance your skills, status, and employment outlook. You will take courses in areas such as anatomy microbiology, and microchemistry as well as laboratory techniques. Because blood testing is central to clinical lab analysis, you will cover various topics related to the science of blood (hematology). These may include phlebotomy, the collection of blood samples from patents. Your classroom training will then be reinforced by practical work. Your degree will also enable you to undertake further training to work as a lab technologist, performing more advanced testing. Some states will require you to be registered or certified in order to work. A number of bodies offer certification, and you should check with the health authority in your intended location to find out their requirements. Colleges for lab technicians graduates find most of their jobs in hospitals. You will also find work opportunities with physicians and in laboratories that provide diagnostic testing. An aging population and the development of new tests mean that your job outlook will be very good.