| License Description |
The Nevada State Health Division, Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance issues certificates for several laboratory technician and laboratory assistant occupations including Medical Technician, Histologic Technician, Blood-Gas Technician, Pathologist's Assistant, Laboratory Assistant, and Office Laboratory Assistant (OLA).
Applicants for a MEDICAL TECHNICIAN certificate must have an associate degree as a medical technician or complete a program based on a course of study from an accredited institution including chemistry, biology, and laboratory techniques; or, meet the requirements for an equivalent combination of education and experience (NAC 652.440). Applicants must pass a national examination for certification.
Applicants for a HISTOLOGIC TECHNICIAN certificate must complete a program certified by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation in histotechnology; or, meet the requirements for an equivalent combination of education and experience (NAC 652.437).
Applicants for a PATHOLOGIST'S ASSISTANT certificate must successfully complete a training program approved by the American Association of Pathologists' Assistants; or, possess a bachelor's degree with a major or minor in a biological science or an allied health field and have at least 3 years of experience in surgical pathology and autopsy pathology (NAC 652.452).
Applicants for a BLOOD-GAS TECHNICIAN (Respiratory) certificate must complete a 1- or 2- year program from an AMA approved school of respiratory therapy or cardiopulmonary technology, or complete an equivalent course of training in the theory and practice of the determination of blood gases (NAC 652.447).
LABORATORY ASSISTANTS are phlebotomists who work in an independent licensed lab. Applicants must be high school graduates (or have a GED) and have 6 months of training in a laboratory approved by the Bureau; or, complete a qualifying course to take the phlebotomy certification exam administered by the American Medical Technologists, the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, or the National Certification Agency, and pass the exam.
OFFICE LABORATORY ASSISTANTS are phlebotomists and medical assistants who work in a physician's private practice (includes MAs, LPNs, RNs and CNAs).
PHLEBOTOMISTS working in a hospital must have a Lab Assistant certificate. Phlebotomists working in a doctor's office must have an Office Laboratory Assistant certificate.
Technicians may also obtain an additional certificate in one or more of the following specialty areas by meeting specified education and certification requirements. Specialty areas include chemistry, microbiology, hematology, immunology, immunohematology, nuclear medicine, histocompatibility, histology, autopsy assistant, and biotechnology.
The Bureau does not administer the national tests to applicants, but does accept results of national examinations given by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or other approved national agencies or boards. Contact the Bureau for more information on the approved exams.
Fees may be subject to change. Fees are: initial certification, technician--$113; initial certification, laboratory assistant/OLA--$60; initial certification, pathologist's assistant--$113; certification renewal, technician--$75; certification renewal, laboratory assistant/OLA--$45; pathologist's assistant--$75. |