Overview — This associate degree program is directed toward preparing you for employment as a medical laboratory technician (MLT) or clinical laboratory technician (CLT) in hospitals, clinics and doctors' offices. Opportunities also exist in commercial industries, scientific research and infection control, both in the public and private sectors. The program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018 (312-714-8880). First-year courses are offered online, days, evenings and weekends. Second-year courses are offered online and during the day. Students must be in attendance four to five days each week. Clinical experiences near the program's end are arranged at selected clinical laboratories within the community.
Career Outlook — Currently, the job market looks favorable for this level of practitioner. In the laboratory, the MLT and CLT perform analytical procedures under the supervision of a medical technologist or physician. Procedures include the collection and analysis of blood and other body fluids in such areas as hematology, clinical chemistry, immunohematology, microbiology, serology/immunology, coagulation, molecular, and other emerging diagnostics. For additional career information, visit www.ascp.org .
Program Learning Outcomes — You as a graduate should be able to:
- 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
- Participate in training peers on technical skills
- Monitor and evaluate quality control in the laboratory
- Practice laboratory safety and regulatory compliance
- Communicate with colleagues and patients in a professional manner
- Perform information processing in the clinical laboratory
- Model professional behaviors, ethics and appearance
