National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) provides the following description: at career entry, the medical laboratory technician will be able to perform routine clinical laboratory tests (such as hematology, clinical chemistry, immunohematology, microbiology, serology/immunology, coagulation, molecular, and other emerging diagnostics) as the primary analyst making specimen oriented decisions on predetermined criteria, including a working knowledge of critical values. Communication skills will extend to frequent interactions with members of the healthcare team, external relations, customer service and patient education. The level of analysis ranges from waived and point of care testing to complex testing encompassing all major areas of the clinical laboratory. The medical laboratory technician will have diverse functions in areas of pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical processes. The medical laboratory technician will have responsibilities for information processing, training, and quality control monitoring wherever clinical laboratory testing is performed.

Upon graduation and initial employment, the medical laboratory technician/clinical laboratory technician should be able to demonstrate entry-level competencies in the above areas of professional practice. Students are eligible to sit for national certification exams in medical laboratory technician/clinical laboratory technician after completing the program.

Program Outcomes of AAS-MLT

The specific educational outcomes for the program are to produce graduates who:

• Demonstrate entry-level competencies for medical laboratory technicians in the following disciplines: Hematology, Chemistry, Immunology, Blood Bank, Urine and Body Fluid Analysis, Microbiology and Laboratory Operations.
• Demonstrate professional behavior including sound work ethics, cultural responsiveness and appearance while interacting with patients and healthcare professionals.
• Find gainful employment as laboratory professionals.
• Demonstrate continuing competency through participation in continuing education and providing continuing education.
• Demonstrate professional advancement by involvement in administrative and/or supervisory roles in the employment setting or through completion of specialty or certification exams.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the laboratory profession through sustained membership and active involvement in professional organizations.

Admission Requirements

General Admission Requirements for all students entering programs offered by the Medical Laboratory Technology Department include:

1. Complete the admission process for UAA. Apply on UAOnline to the Associate's of Applied Science Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology.  Complete the Associate Degree Program's Admission Requirements listed in the UAA Catalog.
2. Complete the Student History Form and submit directly to the Medical Laboratory Technology Department in person, via fax, or an email attachment.
3. Review the Essential Requirements for Admission and return the signed form to the department.
4. Prior to enrollment in either MEDT A101 or MEDT A132, students must complete the Pre-entrance Medical Record. All immunizations must be signed by a health care provider. The Hepatitis Series must have been started and all other immunizations completed prior to the first day of class.
5. Meet with the Medical Laboratory Technology Program advisor regarding your application, program admission and development of a program of study.
6. Prior to enrolling in a practicum (MEDT A195A, MEDT A195B, MEDT A295 or MEDT A495) students must:

• Demonstrate computer competency in the prerequisite MEDT courses.
• Have completed a background check from State of Alaska at the following link: https://abcs.dhss.alaska.gov
  
• Provide proof of personal medical insurance coverage.

The Medical Laboratory Technology Department assumes no responsibility for illness or injuries experienced by students in conjunction with student labs. It is strongly recommended that students maintain personal medical insurance while enrolled in any of the programs offered by the Medical Laboratory Technology Department. Students enrolled in practicum (MEDT A195A, MEDT A195B, MEDT A295 or MEDT A495) must provide their own transportation to the clinical facility. Personal protective equipment is provided by the training facility. The clinical facilities require proof of medical insurance coverage; therefore, students are required to maintain personal medical insurance while enrolled in practicum courses. Medical insurance is available through the Student Health Center. Liability insurance is purchased by the Medical Laboratory Technology Department to cover the student’s practicum. The Occupational Endorsement certificates, A.A.S. and B.S. degrees are not contingent upon the students passing any type of external certification or licensure examination.

Degree Requirements

A total of 67-68 credits is required for this degree.

General University Requirements

1. Complete the General University Requirements for Associate Degrees.
2. Complete the Associate of Applied Sciences General Degree requirements. In the Medical Laboratory Technology Program, the required support courses meet the general requirements.

Required Support Courses

Complete all 18 credits of support courses for the Medical Technology major with a satisfactory grade of C or better.

BIOL A111
BIOL A112
CHEM A103/L
CHEM A104
CIS A105 or CIS A110

Major Requirements

MEDT Courses. Complete the following major courses with a minimum grade of P, C or higher.

MEDT A132 - Introduction to Laboratory Medicine OR
MEDT A101 - Phlebotomy Procedures AND MEDT A133 Basic Techniques in Laboratory Medicine
MEDT A202 - Clinical Chemistry
MEDT A203 - Clinical Microbiology
MEDT A204 - Hematology and Coagulation
MEDT A206 - Immunology and Blood Banking
MEDT A208 - Urine and Body Fluid Analysis
MEDT A250 - Cultural Diversity in Healthcare
MEDT A295 - Clinical Practicum

Recommended Course Sequencing

Note:  Each student’s course schedule sequence may vary according to required prerequisite courses.  Please contact the department directly to set up an advising session with a Medical Laboratory Technology faculty.

First Year

Second Year