Medical Laboratory Technology

Program Description

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.

MLT Admissions Process

DEGREES / DIPLOMAS / CERTIFICATES

Outcomes

Year	Completion Rate %	Board Pass Rate %	Employment Placement Rate %
2019	100	100	100
2020	80	100	100
2021	50	100	100
2022	67	100	100
2023	100	83	100
Yearly Averages	79	94	100

Key Definitions:

The ASCP Pass Rate is defined as the number of graduates who completed and passed the Board of Certification Exam (BOC) exam on their first attempt within the first year of graduation.
Completion Rate 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.
TheEmployment Placement Rate is defined as the number of graduates who found employment (in the clinical laboratory field or in 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).

Due to a national shortage of MLTs in conjunction with an aging population in the coastal region, the local demand for laboratory professionals is growing. Placement for MLTs possesses a fairly high rate, and potential employment for students who complete this program include placement in local healthcare laboratories in hospitals, medical offices and research facilities.

Healthcare professionals require the performance of essential functions in order to provide safe care, generate accurate data and communicate effectively to patients and other health care personnel. To effectively train phlebotomy professionals, the performance of these functions is incorporated throughout the program. Faculty and students are required to demonstrate proficiency of these functions in the campus lab and clinical practicum. The essential functions include:

Critical Thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment. For example, students must be able to identify cause-effect relationships in clinical situations; research and analyze data to aid in problem-solving; and, read and comprehend text, numbers and graphs displayed in print and on a video monitor.
Interpersonal Skills sufficient to interact with individuals, families, groups, etc. from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds. For example, students must establish rapport with patients and healthcare team members.
Communication Skills sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form. For example, students will explain specimen collection procedures and communicate with faculty members, fellow students, staff and other healthcare professionals verbally and in a recorded format (writing, typing, graphics and telecommunication).
Mobility sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces and stand and walk for extensive periods of time. For example, move around in a patient’s room, reach patients lying in a hospital bed and move close to benchtop clinical instruments such as a microscope.
Motor Skills sufficient to perform test procedures accurately. For example, students will make fine adjustments to hand-held objects, handle contaminated needles safely and move 20-pound instruments from one area to another.
Hearing Ability sufficient to monitor equipment and access health needs. For example, students will hear monitor alarms, public address pages and cries for help.
Visual Ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in the performance of laboratory procedures. For example, students will observe specimen reaction colors and turbidity, as well as observe patient responses.
Tactile Ability sufficient for collecting blood specimens. For example, students will palpate the skin.
Weight-bearing Ability to lift and manipulate/move a 20-instrument or box of supplies from one area to another.
Cognitive Ability to be oriented to time, place, and person as well as organize responsibilities and make decisions. For example, students will organize and prioritize routine and emergency analyses.

Southeastern Community College is an ADA-compliant institution. The college does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to its programs, services or activities for qualified individuals who meet essential eligibility requirements. The college will provide reasonable accommodations for documented disabilities of individuals who are eligible to receive or participate in college programs, services or activities.

Student Development Services provides a disability counselor to assist students in requesting disability-related accommodations. If a student believes that he/she cannot meet one or more of the essential functions without accommodations, the student should make this requirement known to the ADA counselor as soon as possible.

Students must certify the ability to meet essential functions of the profession by a signed statement in the beginning of the program.