Medical Laboratory Technician

NAACLS provides the following description: at career entry, the medical laboratory technician/clinical 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 clinical laboratory technician/medical laboratory technician will have diverse functions in areas of pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical processes. The clinical laboratory technician/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 AAS-MLT
The specific educational outcomes for the program are to produce graduates who:

• Demonstrate entry-level competencies for medical laboratory technicians/clinical 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

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

1. Complete the Student History Form application.
2. Review the Essential Requirements for Admission and return the signed form to the department.
3. High School diploma or GED equivalency.
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 prover. The Hepatitis Series must at least be started.
5. Prior to enrolling in a practicum (MEDT A195A, MEDT A195B, MEDT A295 or MEDT A495) students must:
6. • Demonstrate computer competency in the prerequisite MEDT courses.
   • Have completed a background check from www.CertifiedBackground.com ($72). Please click here for instructions. 
   • 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, AAS and BS degrees are not contingent upon the students passing any type of external certification or licensure examination.

Clinical Laboratory Technician Program Requirements

1. Complete the Associate Degree Program's Admission Requirements listed in the UAA Catalog.
2. Complete the General Admissions requirements for all programs in the Medical Laboratory Technology Department that are listed.
3. Meet with the Medical Laboratory Technology Program advisor regarding your application, program admission and development of a program of study.

Application Process

1. Complete the admission process for UAA.
2. Complete and submit the following forms to the Medical Laboratory Technology Department:
3. • Student History
   • Pre-entrance Medical Record
   • Essential Requirements for Admission
4. Meet with the Medical Laboratory Technology Program advisor regarding your application, program admission and development of a program of study.

Course Sequencing

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 15 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

Major Requirements

MEDT courses. Complete the following major courses with a satisfactory grade of P, C or better.

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 - Capstone Seminar
MEDT A295 - Clinical Practicum

Recommended Course Sequencing

Each student’s course schedule sequence may vary according to required prerequisite courses.

First Year

Semester I

ENGL A111 - Methods of Written Communication
Oral Communication Skills
BIOL A111 - Anatomy and Physiology I
CHEM A103/L - Survey of Chemistry/Lab

Semester II

ENGL A212 - Technical Writing (recommended)
BIOL A112 - Anatomy and Physiology II
CHEM A104 - Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry
MEDT A132 - Introduction to Laboratory Medicine

Second Year

Semester I

MEDT A203 - Clinical Microbiology
MEDT A204 - Hematology and Coagulation
MEDT A208 - Urine and Body Fluid Analysis
MEDT A250 - Capstone Seminar

Semester II

MEDT A202 - Clinical Chemistry
MEDT A206 - Immunology and Blood Banking

Summer

MEDT A295 - Clinical Practicum