Health Care Technician Programs

Prerequisite work is completed at Northeastern for acceptance to a variety of programs across the country. In many examples, these programs are somewhat unique because of the working relationship that Northeastern has with other community colleges to share the responsibility of providing the training and internships for those careers.

In some cases the lecture part of the program may be completed on-line and students travel to the clinical sites for the internship. In other programs the student may be required to transfer to another college for at least a semester to complete the program requirements.

Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians is projected to grow 7 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 25,600 openings for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Salary

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the median annual wage for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians was $57,800 in May 2021.

Program Requirements / Classes

Dental Hygiene Tract Emphasis	AS
Medical Technician Tract Emphasis	AS
Radiology Technician Tract Emphasis	AS
Respiratory Therapy Tract	AS
Surgery Technician Tract Emphasis	AS

Degree Descriptions

Associate of Arts Degree (A.A.) and Associate of Science Degree (A.S.)

The AA and the AS degrees are traditional 2-year degrees specifically designed to transfer to 4-year institutions for the purpose of completing a BA or a BS. They are often referred to as university parallel degrees. The general education requirements are what actually permit the degrees to be called Associates or Arts or Science. The difference between the AS and AA is minimal, with the AA permitting math courses and a science course that are not recognized under the AS degree. Read Colorado's Guaranteed Transfer Policy here.

Associate of General Studies (A.G.S.)

The AGS degree is, at times, articulated to transfer to certain 4-year institutions and programs. There is more room for flexibility in this degree. Generally, if a student decides to transfer to a 4-year school to pursue a BA or BS after earning the AGS, they may be short some of the general education requirements.

Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)

The Associate of Applied Science degree is rarely pursued by a student who intends to transfer to a 4-year school. It is primarily a degree that prepares a student to go directly into the workforce. It is typically a specific technical career that the student who seeks the AAS is seeking. Again, the general education requirements are less rigid with the AAS degree.

Certificate Programs

Certificates are 1-year technical programs that require no general education courses. Auto Tech, Agri-business, and Cosmetology are Certificate programs. English, math, science, etc. are not required to complete a certificate, although some students choose to take preparatory classes that might help them succeed in the program.