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Occupational-Technical Degree Programs : Medical Laboratory Technology

Degree: Associate in Applied Science in Medical Laboratory Technology with a major in Medical Laboratory

Length: Five-semester (two-year) program

Purpose: The Medical Laboratory Technology curriculum is a concentrated course of study and coordinated practice in the knowledge and skills of the medical laboratory. It provides a program to prepare students for employment as Medical Laboratory Technicians (associate degree). Upon satisfactory completion of program requirements, the student is eligible to take a national registry examination for certification as a Medical Laboratory Technician.

The program is fully approved by the State Council of Higher Education and the National Accrediting Agency of Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 8410 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 670, Chicago, IL 60631-3415. (773) 714-8880.

Mission Statement: It is the mission of the Medical Laboratory Technology Program at Wytheville Community College to graduate knowledgeable, ethical, and highly skilled laboratorians, prepared to pass the national certification registry examination and meet the regional laboratory workforce needs.

Occupational Objectives

• Hospital Laboratories
• Service Agencies
• Physicians' Offices
• Clinics
• Public Health
• Industrial Laboratories
• Pharmaceutical Firms
• Research Institutions
• Veterans' Administration
• Independent Clinical Laboratories
• Armed Forces
• Reference Laboratories

Admission Requirements

Students who apply to the Medical Laboratory Technology Program:

• Must be high school graduates or have the equivalent.
• Satisfactory scores in English and proficiency in MTH 03 based on COMPASS/ASSET placement tests, one unit each of biology and chemistry with a grade of "C" or better in both.
• Must be interviewed by program head;
• Must be able to adapt to laboratory situations.
• Must review essential standards required to perform in the program, which will be presented during the interview.

Selection is made after the applicant has satisfactorily met the above criteria based on the date completed applications (application form and all transcripts) are received in the Admissions and Records Office. Students are admitted annually in August; therefore, early application is necessary since the class size is limited. Students applying for admission who have attended MLT (Certificate or Associate Degree) programs in other institutions must discuss their individual admissions criteria with the program head.

Program Requirements

Upon admission, students must present evidence of a complete medical examination which must include a tuberculin skin test (not more than one year old), a profile of medical condition, designated immunizations, and documentation of HBV status. A chest x-ray is required only if the tuberculin test is positive.

A minimum of "C" must be maintained in each Medical Laboratory course. The student must demonstrate a desire and capability of becoming a contributor of quality patient health care.

The student will be required to secure student professional liability insurance, available through the college from a reasonably priced group insurance plan.

Clinical experience will be provided in affiliated hospitals or laboratories. Each student will be responsible for transportation to and from the hospital, and also for securing the required uniforms.

Criminal Background Check/Drug Screening

Background checks for criminal history and sex offender crimes and urine drug screens are required for admission to clinical sites. Students with convictions and/or positive tests may be prohibited from clinical practice and may not complete the program. Costs for criminal

Readmission Requirements

A student receiving a final grade lower than “C” in any course in the medical laboratory sequence will be ineligible to continue in the program. Contact the program head for readmission requirements.

Cooperative Program

Through June 1 of a given year, preference will be given to applicants from the service areas of the six southwest Virginia community colleges that participate in a cooperative program and to in-state applicants from service areas of other Virginia community colleges that do not provide access to a Medical Laboratory Technology program.

MLT Curriculum

Semester 1 -- 15 Credit Hours

Semester 2 -- 18 Credit Hours

Semester 3 -- 11 Credit Hours

Semester 4 -- 15 Credit Hours

Semester 5 -- 13 Credit Hours

Total Minimum Credit Hours: 72