Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT)
Students who complete this program will receive extensive training to prepare them for a career analyzing the chemical and cellular composition of blood and bodily fluids. Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLTs) are responsible for disease and cancer research, analyzing bacteria, and trauma care, such as prescribing units of blood for injured patients, without maintaining the consistent contact with patients that physicians, nurses and other hospital staff do.
MLTs typically work under a Medical Technologist (MT), assisting with preparing slides of cells, tissues, and blood, using laboratory equipment and helping to identify abnormalities in samples.Coursework emphasizes scientific and mathematical elements in microbiology, hematology and chemistry.
Students are encouraged to contact admission counselors early and maintain effective communication with their advisor in order to ensure the completion of prerequisite courses and general education requirements.
Graduates are eligible for national certification via an accredited exam provided by the American Society for Clinical Pathology, administered by Southeastern Community College.
Course Information
The following awards are offered under the Medical Laboratory Technology program. Select a link to view catalog information, including required courses and program details.
Degrees
Certificates
Program Outcomes
Outcomes
| Year | Graduation Rate Outcomes % | Certification Outcomes % | Employment Placement Rate Outcomes % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 67 | 100 | 100 |
| 2023 | 100 | 83 | 100 |
| 2024 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| 2025 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Key Definitions
- Graduation Rate Outcome is defined as the number of students who entered the third semester of the MLT program and subsequently completed the program within the next year.
- Certification Outcome is defined as the number of graduates who completed and passed the Board of Certification Exam (BOC) on their first attempt within the first year of graduation.
- Employment Placement Rate Outcome is defined as the number of graduates who found employment (in the clinical laboratory field or a closely related field) and/or continued their education within one year of graduation.
The MLT program at Southeastern Community College is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119 (Phone: 773-714-8880).
Career Opportunities
Due to a national shortage of Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLTs) and an aging population in the coastal region, the local demand for laboratory professionals is growing. Employment opportunities for graduates are strong, with placement available in hospitals, medical offices, and research facilities.
Program Links
Explore the following resources to learn more about the Medical Laboratory Technology field and related professional organizations.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians
- ExploreHealthCareers.org: Clinical Laboratory Scientist/Technician
- American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
- U.S. News: Clinical Laboratory Technician
- HealthCarePathway.com: The Medical Laboratory Technician Career Ladder
- Out-of-State Students
- WorldWideLearn: Guide for Clinical Laboratory Science Majors
Essential Criteria for Medical Lab Technicians
Healthcare professionals must be able to perform essential functions to provide safe care, generate accurate data, and communicate effectively with patients and healthcare personnel. These functions are incorporated throughout the program, and students are required to demonstrate proficiency in both campus labs and clinical settings.
Essential Functions
- Critical Thinking — ability sufficient for clinical judgment. Students must identify cause-and-effect relationships in clinical situations, research and analyze data, and interpret text, numbers, and graphs.
- Interpersonal Skills — ability to interact with individuals and groups from a variety of social, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. Students must establish rapport with patients and healthcare team members.
- Communication Skills — ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written form. Students explain specimen collection procedures and interact with faculty, peers, and healthcare professionals using spoken, written, or electronic communication.
- Mobility — ability to move between rooms, maneuver in small spaces, and stand or walk for extended periods. Students must reach patients in hospital beds and access benchtop instruments such as microscopes.
- Motor Skills — ability to perform test procedures accurately. Students make fine adjustments, handle contaminated needles safely, and move instruments weighing up to 20 pounds.
- Hearing Ability — ability to monitor equipment and assess health needs, such as hearing alarms, public address pages, or calls for assistance.
- Visual Ability — ability to observe and assess necessary laboratory details, including specimen color reactions, turbidity, and patient responses.
- Tactile Ability — ability to collect blood specimens by palpating the skin.
- Weight-Bearing Ability — ability to lift and move instruments or supply boxes weighing up to 20 pounds.
- Cognitive Ability — ability to remain oriented, organize responsibilities, and make sound decisions, including prioritizing routine and emergency analyses.
Southeastern Community College is an ADA-compliant institution and does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to its programs, services, or activities for qualified individuals. Reasonable accommodations are provided for students with documented disabilities who meet essential eligibility requirements.
Accessibility Services assists students in requesting academic and campus accommodations. Students who believe they cannot meet one or more essential functions without accommodations should contact Accessibility Services as soon as possible.
Students must certify their ability to meet the essential functions of the profession by signing a statement at the beginning of the program.
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