License Information:

Laboratory Technician and Assistant (Various)

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 Histologic Technician, Blood-Gas Technician, Pathologist's Assistant, Medical Technician, Laboratory Assistant, and Office Laboratory Assistant (OLA). A HISTOLOGIC TECHNICIAN may only perform histologic procedures under the supervision of a histotechnologist or the laboratory director and may only perform cytologic procedures under the direction of a cytotechnologist, histotechnologist, or the laboratory director. Applicants 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). A PATHOLOGIST'S ASSISTANT, under the supervision of a pathologist, may help with preparing for, performing, and reporting postmortem examinations and surgical specimen dissections. Applicants 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 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 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). A LABORATORY ASSISTANT works under direct supervision and does not perform laboratory procedures independently. 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. An OFFICE LABORATORY ASSISTANT works under the supervision of the laboratory director or physician. OLAs may perform waived testing on patient samples provided they can show documented evidence of training which has been approved by the director. 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, cytology, 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.

Licensing Agency:

Nevada State Health Division Bureau of Health Care Quality & Compliance Medical Laboratories & Personnel 1550 College Parkway, Suite 158 Carson City, 89706 (775) 687-4475 blcweb@health.nv.gov http://health.nv.gov/HCQC.htm

License History

2009  Total Number of Licenses (Annual):  6096

To request changes or additions to the information above, please contact the National Crosswalk Service Center directly at NCSC@iowa.gov or 515.242.5034.