Medical Laboratory Technician, A.A.S.
Purpose: Prepares students for practice as entry-level medical laboratory technicians in hospital clinical laboratories, commercial clinical laboratories, physician offices, and public health laboratories. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates may be eligible to take the Medical Laboratory Technician certification examination through the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
View the Medical Laboratory Technician, A.A.S. Fee Sheet.
Curriculum: The curriculum is divided into several areas of study and consists of didactic, laboratory, and clinical components to provide students with the entry-level knowledge and skill required of the medical laboratory profession. The curriculum will address pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical components of laboratory services. This includes collecting, processing, and analyzing biological specimens and other substances, principles and methodologies, performance of assays, problem-solving, troubleshooting techniques, significance of clinical procedures and results, principles and practices of quality assessment, for all major areas practiced in the clinical laboratory setting.
Program Outcomes: Graduates of the Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Laboratory Technician program be able to:
- Demonstrate entry-level competency for specimen analysis in hematology, coagulation, clinical chemistry, immunology, immunohematology, microbiology, urine/body fluid analysis, and laboratory operations according to established protocols and procedures.
- Demonstrate technical skills, social behavior, and professional awareness as defined by the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science and the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.
- Exhibit compliance in the application of safety and governmental regulations in handling chemical and biological materials.
- Exhibit legal and ethical behavior which adheres to the professional conduct standards for clinical laboratories.
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills for problem-solving in laboratory and clinical settings.
- Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct in all forms of communication with patients, laboratory personnel, and other healthcare professionals.
- Recognize the importance of continued professional development to demonstrate professional competence and growth as a healthcare professional.
Admission Requirements:
- A high school diploma or GED.
- As a cohort program, students will be admitted to the medical laboratory technician program each Fall semester
- An orientation session will be held prior to the beginning of the first semester of the medical technician program. Attendance is mandatory.
Program Requirements:
All medical laboratory technician students must:
- Maintain a minimum grade of "C" or better in all Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) courses. The Health Sciences Division "C" represents a grade of at least a 75%.
- Meet program competency requirements in both the laboratory and clinical practicum experiences.
Students who do not meet program or course standards that result in termination from the medical laboratory technician program by the College are not eligible for readmission to the program. This includes students who cannot meet safety standards and students who violate the College's Honor Code and Standards of Conduct, the medical laboratory technician's Standards of Conduct, and the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science Code of Ethics.
Fact Sheet:
- View the Medical Laboratory Technician Fact Sheet for faculty contact information and additional program information.
Program Pathway
First Year Fall
| BIO-116 | Human Anatomy and Physiology for Allied Health | 4 credits |
| CHM-101 | Introductory College Chemistry | 4 credits |
| ENG-112 | Technical Writing | 3 credits |
| MAT-114 | Introduction to Applied Algebra | 3 credits |
| MLT-101 | Intro to Medical Lab Technician | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
First Year Spring
| BIO-205 | Microbiology | 4 credits |
| MLT-110 | Hematology & Hemostasis | 4 credits |
| MLT-111 | Immunology & Molecular Diagnostics | 3 credits |
| MLT-112 | Clinical Chemistry | 4 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Second Year Fall
| MLT-202 | Clinical Microbiology | 4 credits |
| MLT-203 | Urinalysis & Body Fluids | 2 credits |
| MLT-204 | Mycology, Parasitology & Virology | 2 credits |
| MLT-205 | Immunohematology / Serology | 3 credits |
Gen Ed-
| Behavioral/Social Science | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Second Year Spring
| MLT-210C | MLT Clinical Practicum | 8 credits |
Gen Ed-
| Arts/Humanities | 3 credits |
Gen Ed-
| Diversity | 3 credits |
-
| | |
| COM-103 | Public Speaking | 3 credits |
-
| Or | |
| COM-108 | Introduction to Human Communication | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
General Education Requirements (19 Credits)
Arts/Humanities
- Select one course from the approved General Education course list in the Arts/Humanities category (3 credits)
Behavioral/Social Sciences
Biological/Physical Science
| CHM-101 | Introductory College Chemistry | 4 credits |
Diversity
- Select one course from the approved General Education course list in the Diversity category (3 Credits)
English
*A minimum grade of "C" or better is required for ENG-112
Mathematics
| MAT-114 | Introduction to Applied Algebra | 3 credits |
Program Requirements (44 Credits)
Requirements List
*A minimum grade of "C" or better is required for all Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) courses. The Health Sciences Division "C" represents a grade of at least a 75%.
| BIO-116 | Human Anatomy and Physiology for Allied Health | 4 credits |
| BIO-205 | Microbiology | 4 credits |
-
| | |
| COM-103 | Public Speaking | 3 credits |
-
| Or | |
| COM-108 | Introduction to Human Communication | 3 credits |
-
| | |
| MLT-101 | Intro to Medical Lab Technician | 3 credits |
| MLT-110 | Hematology & Hemostasis | 4 credits |
| MLT-111 | Immunology & Molecular Diagnostics | 3 credits |
| MLT-112 | Clinical Chemistry | 4 credits |
| MLT-202 | Clinical Microbiology | 4 credits |
| MLT-203 | Urinalysis & Body Fluids | 2 credits |
| MLT-204 | Mycology, Parasitology & Virology | 2 credits |
| MLT-205 | Immunohematology / Serology | 3 credits |
| MLT-210C | MLT Clinical Practicum | 8 credits |
Degree Requirements (63 Credits)
Final Acceptance
Final acceptance into the medical laboratory technician program is contingent upon the following criteria. Students unable to meet these criteria will be withdrawn from the program.
- Students are required to attend a mandatory orientation session.
- Students must be able to meet the program's technical standards.
- Students must have a current American Heart Association BLS Provider certification or American Red Cross BLS for Healthcare Providers certification.
- Satisfactory completion of a health examination record and all required tests and immunizations.
Criminal Background Checks
All students enrolled in the program are required to submit to fingerprinting and a complete a criminal background check in order to proceed through the program and prior to beginning the clinical practicum. A valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, military ID, or green card) and a social security number is required for the background check. Criminal background check results are disclosed to clinical facilities as required. If a student is denied access to a clinical site because of the background check, and as a result, cannot meet program requirements, the student will be recommended for dismissal from the program.
Drug Screen
Students may be required by a clinical site to submit a drug screen. Drug screen results are disclosed to clinical facilities as required.
Clinical Practicum Site Placement
Students enrolled in the MLT program will be assigned to healthcare facilities within 60 miles of the tristate region. Students are expected to provide their own transportation to facilities and abide by the policies and protocols of each facility. Student placement in clinical sites is determined at a designated semester. Misconduct in the assigned clinical site may result in loss of clinical site placement and/or recommendation for program dismissal.
Technical Standards
There are technical standards and skill requirements which students are expected to possess and demonstrate in order to be successful in this program. More information on these standards can be found on the Web page for this program.