Medical Laboratory Technology, A.A.S.

Melissa White, Medical Laboratory Technology Program Coordinator
104 Advanced Technology Center, Fairmont / (304)367-4790
Melissa.White@pierpont.edu

Accrediting Agency

National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
5600 N. River Road, Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018-5119
(847) 939-3597
www.naacls.org

Program Purpose

The Medical Laboratory Technology program provides education and training for students to become Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLTs). MLTs perform a variety of laboratory tests in blood banking, chemistry, hematology, immunology, microbiology and urinalysis.

The two-year Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) Program is nationally accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). In addition to offering a general studies and a laboratory based general science curriculum, the program is also designed to provide students with 42 credit hours of required MLT clinical lecture and laboratory courses, which are integrated with a hospital or clinic based practicum experience. A current list of clinical agencies affiliated with the program can be obtained from the MLT Clinical Education Coordinator. Please note that students must pass a criminal background clearance with drug screen, meet health requirements and essential functions, and provide their own transportation to assigned clinical sites.

Admission Requirements

Admission into the Medical Laboratory Technology, A.A.S. program is based upon the following criteria:

1. Apply to Pierpont Community and Technical College for the term you want to begin the program and meet the general admission requirements or be a current student
   1. First-time students should select “Health Sciences: Medical Laboratory Technology” as their educational goal on their application.
2. Complete the MLT application ($20 fee). Applications and supporting documentation are due to the Admission’s Office by March 1. Applicants who are not admitted must reapply if they wish to be considered for the next academic year.
3. Submit all required documents (Official ACT or SAT scores; High School Equivalency Exam or high school transcripts; and any college transcripts to the Admission’s Office) to the Admission’s Office prior to the MLT application deadline.
4. Have a high school and/or college GPA of 2.0 or better or passing score on High School Equivalency Exam.
5. Successfully completed courses in Biology, Chemistry, and Algebra in high school or college

Qualified students are accepted until capacity is met.

*Students can begin the program in the fall semester.

An impartial scoring system based on the required academic coursework is employed to rank the MLT applicants. If class capacity remains after admitting all eligible MLT applicants, interested students who have missed the deadline (or do not yet meet eligibility requirements) may still register for the first semester of MLT coursework for the following fall semester and apply to the program during the fall semester to be considered an Alternate. MLT faculty will review all Alternate’s submission after the fall grades are recorded. Alternates will be selected based on program GPA and grades of “C” or higher in all 16 credits of first semester MLT courses. Those students who qualify for Alternate status will be considered for admission only after full consideration has been given to those students whose applications were submitted by the deadline. Completing the first semester of coursework does NOT guarantee admission to the program, and students not selected must re-apply by spring deadline if they wish to be considered for next year’s entering class.

Program Requirements

• Students must pass a criminal background clearance check, meet health and immunization requirements, and drug testing.
• Students must be able to meet the essential functions of the program and classes, with or without accommodations.
• Students will need to provide their own transportation to assigned clinical sites.

Students must complete each course in the MLT program model schedule with a grade of “C” or higher and maintain an overall 2.0 GPA to remain in the program.  Any classes accepted as substitutes for curricular classes also require a grade of “C” or above.  Failure to meet any of these requirements will result in dismissal from the program.  Students who have been dismissed may reapply to the program and their credentials will be reevaluated.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the A.A.S. degree in Medical Laboratory Technology, graduates will be able to do the following:

• Demonstrate knowledge of and competence in performing test methodologies and assume responsibility to safely perform modern clinical laboratory tasks expected of an entry level MLT/CLT
• Differentiate between normal and abnormal laboratory test results and correlate laboratory findings to common disease processes and assay variability
• Communicate verbally and nonverbally with the patient, physicians, health care delivery personnel and peers in an effective, appropriate, and capable manner
• Demonstrate professional behavior that reflects appropriate responsibility and professional standards that are legal, confidential, ethical and safe

Opportunities

Graduates of the MLT program are eligible and encouraged to take a national certification exam; becoming a nationally certified MLT will greatly enhance a graduate’s marketability. MLT program graduates may work in a variety of settings. They are employed by hospitals, clinics, physician office laboratories, reference laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, research laboratories, veterinary laboratories, public health facilities, and business and industry. The A.A.S. degree in Medical Laboratory Technology is quite versatile. Graduates of the program may choose to continue their education and earn a Baccalaureate degree in Allied Health Administration, Biology, or even Business. Some graduates choose to become a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), which requires a Baccalaureate degree in medical laboratory science; or MLT certification, plus a Baccalaureate degree in a physical or biological science, and two years of full time acceptable clinical laboratory experience.

Granting of the degree is not contingent upon passing an external certification or licensure examination. Passing an external exam is not required for graduation from the MLT program.

Graduates may also continue in higher education earning a Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science, Allied Health, Education or related field. Some graduates even pursue medical school or doctoral studies.