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Become a laboratory technician with a non-EU diploma

Proposed by JRS France Updated on 2 дні тому

The medical laboratory technician performs medical biology or anatomical and cytological pathology analyses, under the responsibility of a medical biologist or a competent specialist physician.

They can work in:

  • medical biology laboratories;
  • hospital laboratories;
  • the laboratories of pathological anatomy and cytology;
  • research;
  • some biotechnology or control companies.

The medical laboratory technician can also perform blood sampling under the conditions stipulated by the regulations.

To work as a medical laboratory technician, you must have the State Diploma of Medical Laboratory Technician or one of the qualifications recognized to practice this profession.

The main recognized qualifications, in addition to the state diploma for laboratory technicians, are:

  • Professional Bachelor of Technology (BUT) degree specializing in biological engineering, track in medical biology and biotechnology
  • Advanced Vocational Diploma (BTS) in Medical Biology
  • Advanced Vocational Diploma in Agriculture: Biological, Biotechnological, Agricultural and Environmental Analyses (ANABIOTEC). This training allows you to work in biotechnology, agri-food or the environment;
  • Professional certification for laboratory technicians in chemistry, biochemistry, and biology offered by the National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts (CNAM). This is a work - study program , ideal for those who want to work while studying.

You can find all the training courses in this decree.

If you were educated outside the European Union, your diploma is not recognized in France. You will therefore need to complete further training to obtain a French diploma. The duration of studies is typically two or three years, but if you have a two-year post-secondary qualification (bac +2), you can obtain the diploma in one or two years.
With a pharmacy degree from outside the EU, you can retrain as a laboratory technician or in clinical research .

How to do it?

There are several ways to become a laboratory technician:

In 2 years

  • BTS Medical Biology
  • BTS ANABIOTEC
  • Certification of Laboratory technician in chemistry, biochemistry, biology with CNAM.
The BTS is a two-year vocational diploma open to high school graduates. Prior qualifications are not recognized, and students must begin in the first year. For individuals with significant laboratory training and experience, particularly outside the EU, three- year university programs are recommended .

In 3 years ( with entry in the second or third year):

  • State diploma for laboratory technicians from a specialized school
  • Bachelor of Technology (BUT) Medical Biology and Biotechnology in IUT (University Institute of Technology).

For a BTS (Advanced Vocational Diploma) in initial training, applications are generally submitted via Parcoursup . For apprenticeship programs, continuing education (returning to studies), or programs at certain private institutions, the requirements may differ. Check the admission requirements directly with the institution.

If you are applying through Parcoursup , you must contact the BTS program manager beforehand.

You need to check the admission requirements on the different websites.

The BUT in Biological Engineering , specializing in medical biology and biotechnology, is offered in 19 IUT.

The state diploma for medical laboratory technician is only offered in 3 institutions:

For candidates who do not have a two-year post-secondary degree, it is necessary to apply for the first year:

  • via Parcoursup
  • via an adapted admission request (DAA).
The adapted admission application (DAA) is a specific procedure reserved exclusively for refugee students, asylum seekers, or beneficiaries of subsidiary and temporary protection. Applicants must have at least a B2 level of French and a diploma equivalent to the baccalaureate.

Note: If you have to go through Parcoursup (a procedure often complicated for exiles), it is recommended to contact the head of the biological engineering department directly.

If you have a two-year post-secondary diploma in a similar field, you can apply for admission to the 2nd or 3rd year for the state diploma (see the decree of July 2024 ).
For the BUT in Biological Engineering, you need to visit the websites of the different institutions to find out about admission requirements. Some allow entry into the 2nd or 3rd year.
If you have already worked for several years in the laboratory field, some universities offering the BUT in Biological Engineering may also consider your background with a validation of acquired experience (VAE).
The VAE (Validation of Acquired Experience) recognizes all or part of the skills corresponding to the diploma. You can contact the university and its VAE department directly to find out what steps to take.

Training costs depend on the institution chosen.

Before registering for a paid training course, it is recommended to check:

  • the annual cost of training;
  • the cost of equipment (lab coat...);
  • registration fees;
  • scholarship and funding opportunities: personal training account (CPF)

Read the Refugees.info fact sheet: " Using the personal training account (CPF) "

If you are a job seeker

Discuss your project with your France Travail advisor before starting the training.

Depending on your situation, you can search for grants and scholarships to finance your training.

Aid from your region

Regions can offer aid and scholarships for certain health and paramedical training courses.
The conditions depend on your region and your situation.

If you are taking the training in a work-study program (for example with the CNAM), your employer finances your training and you are paid during your contract.

What happens next?

Once you have obtained the State Diploma of Medical Laboratory Technician or one of the qualifications recognized by the regulations, you can work as a medical laboratory technician.

You have the opportunity to work:

  • in a medical biology laboratory;
  • at the hospital;
  • in research;
  • in the pharmaceutical, food processing or cosmetics industries.

You can search for job offers on the France Travail website.

In your search, use keywords such as : "laboratory technician"; "medical analysis laboratory technician"; "research laboratory technician"; "quality control laboratory technician".

You can then enter your city or region and use the filters to specify the type of contract you are looking for.

Searching on the France Travail website allows you to view offers in different sectors of the laboratory.

Continue your studies

Depending on the diploma obtained, you can also continue your studies, in particular towards a professional bachelor's degree, a master's degree or specialized training.

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