Medical Laboratory Technician

Associate of Applied Science Degree
10-513-1

The Medical Laboratory Technician Associate of Applied Science degree will prepare students to learn fundamental laboratory techniques for work in laboratories serving the health care sector (hospitals, clinics and doctors' offices). Career potential also exists in epidemiology, forensic medicine and biomedical manufacturing. The program provides experience where students learn to perform analytical procedures under the supervision of a medical technologist or physician.  The final semester of the program is a clinical experience in laboratories in community healthcare facilities.  Graduates of the program qualify for the American Society of Clinical Pathologists Board of Registry certification exam for medical laboratory technicians under the direction of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.  Students must petition to enter the clinical MLT classes, and should anticipate the possibility of traveling to complete the clinical experience. 

The Blackhawk Technical College Medical Laboratory Technician Associate Degree Program is accredited through the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS), 5600 N. River Rd, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018. Phone: 773-714-8880, email: info@naacls.org.  

Suggested courses for program preparation:

  • One year of high school chemistry, biology and algebra or college equivalent (see specific requirements listed below).

  • Medical terminology or 2 years of occupational experience in the medical field

Program Requirements:

To be admitted to the Medical Lab Technology (MLT) program, the student is required to have mandatory attendance at a Blackhawk Technical College MLT program orientation. This orientation occurs in the Summer Quality Assurance Laboratory Math Course, or is scheduled individually if necessary.  High School Chemistry or College Chemistry Prep and High School Algebra or General College Math Review. are required for entrance into the BTC MLT Program

  • Once admitted to the program, the following requirements must be met in order to participate in the clinical experience.
  • Caregiver background check
  • Physical exam and completed personal history form on file prior to the beginning the fourth semester clinical rotation.
  • Successful completion of all program courses with a C or better.

This program is offered at the Monroe Campus.

Program Outcomes

  • Apply modern clinical methodologies including problem solving and troubleshooting according to predetermined criteria.
  • Collect and process biological and other specimens.
  • Perform and report results of clinical laboratory tests.
  • Apply laboratory results to diagnosis of clinical conditions and/or diseases.
  • Communicate with colleagues and patients in a professional manner.

  • Participate in training peers on technical skills.
  • Monitor and evaluate quality control in the laboratory.
  • Practice laboratory safety and regulatory compliance.
  • Perform information processing in the clinical laboratory.
  • Model professional behaviors, ethics, and appearance.
     

Program Completion Three Year Statistics:

Program’s Graduate Certification Pass Rates: 81%
Program’s Graduation and Attrition Rates: 100%
Program’s Graduate Placement Rates: 92%

View the entire course listing.

Plan of Study Grid
Courses taken before semester 1Credits
513-113 Quality Assurance Laboratory Math 1
 Credits1
Semester 1
513-110 Basic Laboratory Skills 1
513-111 Phlebotomy 2
513-115 Basic Immunology Concepts 2
806-177 General Anatomy and Physiology 4
806-199 General, Organic and Biological Chemistry 4
801-136 English Composition 1 3
 Credits16
Semester 2
506-102 Intermediate Laboratory Skills 3
513-109 Blood Bank 1-4
513-120 Basic Hematology 3
513-121 Coagulation 1
806-197 Microbiology 4
801-198 Speech 3
 Credits15-18
Summer between year 1 and year 2
809-196 Introduction to Sociology 3
809-198 Introduction to Psychology 3
 Credits6
Semester 3
513-114 Urinalysis 2
513-130 Advanced Hematology 2
513-133 Clinical Microbiology 4
513-170 Introduction to Molecular Diagnostics 2
513-116 Clinical Chemistry 4
 Credits14
Semester 4
506-105 Quality Concepts in Laboratories 3
513-140 Advanced Microbiology 2
513-151 Clinical Experience 1 3
513-152 Clinical Experience 2 4
513-153 Clinical Portfolio 0.05-1
 Credits12.05-13
 Total Credits64.05-68

General Education Courses Within Program

801-195Written Communication3
801-198Speech3
806-177General Anatomy and Physiology4
806-197Microbiology4
806-199General, Organic and Biological Chemistry4
809-196Introduction to Sociology3
809-198Introduction to Psychology3