Medical Laboratory Technician

Associate in Applied Science Degree

Essential functions of students in the Med Lab Tech program

Admissions Process for Clinical Portion of MLT program

This curriculum is intended primarily to educate technicians for work in clinical, diagnostic laboratories. Medical Laboratory Technicians perform tests under the direction of a physician who specializes in diagnosing the causes and nature of disease. Medical Laboratory Technicians also work under the supervision of scientists doing research on new drugs or the improvement of laboratory techniques.

Students may pursue this program on a part-time basis until they reach the clinical portion, which requires full-time attendance.

Graduates may seek employment with hospitals, independent laboratories, physicians, clinics, public health agencies, pharmaceutical firms, research institutions and industrial laboratories. This program is fully accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science. Graduates are therefore eligible to take national certifying exams to become registered Medical Laboratory Technicians. College credit may be granted through Tech Prep articulation agreements between RACC and approved secondary schools.

Required Program of Study

Prerequisites Required for this Program See Curriculum Guide
Course Number   Course Title Credits
BIO150   Biology I 4
MAT110   Algebra II 3
ORI102   College Success Strategies 2
Course Number Semester Course Title Credits
COM121 Fall English Composition 3
BIO250 Anatomy and Physiology I 4
MLT110 Introduction to the Clinical Laboratory 1
CHE150 Chemistry I 4
MAT210 Statistics 3
IFT110 Microcomputer Applications 3
COM131OR COM141 Spring Composition and Literature OR Technical Writing 3
BIO255 Anatomy and Physiology II 4
MLT120 Basic Immunology 2
CHE220 Introduction to Organic Chemistry 5
HEA220 Clinical Implications of Laboratory Tests 1
CHE260 Fall Theory of Chemical Instrumentation        2
HUM- - Humanities Elective 3
BIO280 Microbiology 4
MLT211 Clinical Laboratory Techniques 3
SOC130 OR PSY130 Intro to Sociology OR General Psychology 3
MLT222 Interim Jan. Clinical Urinalysis 1
MLT233 Clinical Serology 1
MLT220 Spring Clinical Hematology/ Coagulation 5
MLT231 Clinical Microbiology 4
MLT221 Clinical Chemistry 4
MLT230 Clinical Blood Banking 4
Total Credit Hours Required for the Program 67

Upon successful completion of the program, the entry level Medical Laboratory Technician should be able to:

  • Follow established procedures for collection and processing biological specimens for analysis and perform assigned analytical tests or procedures.
  • Recognize factors that affect measurements and results and take appropriate action according to predetermined protocols; recognize abnormal results, correlate them with disease processes and refer them to designated supervisory personnel.
  • Operate instruments within the scope of training utilizing established protocols and quality control checks, recognizing equipment malfunctions and notifying supervisory personnel when appropriate.
  • Report information such as test results, reference range and specimen requirements to authorized sources.
  • Perform routine quality control and maintain accurate records. Recognize out-of-control results and notify supervisory personnel.
  • Demonstrate a professional attitude in interpersonal communication skills with patients, peers, supervisors, other health care professionals, and the public.

Notes: Appropriate placement test scores or the completion of certain developmental courses are required for this program. Additional prerequisites may be necessary for some courses and can be found in the course descriptions section of the catalog.

It is recommended that students confer with their advisor when selecting electives.