Medical Laboratory Technician Degree
Contact Information
Pete O’Brien
731-424-3520 ext. 226
pobrien@jscc.edu
Program and Career Description
The Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) is an essential member of the modern healthcare team and they work in close cooperation with physicians to establish diagnoses and monitor the effectiveness of treatment through direct examination of patients and analyses of specimens. MLT’s work in all areas of the lab including chemistry, hematology, microbiology, medicine, immunology, and genetics, or they may specialize and develop expertise such as virology or molecular genetics. MLT’s may work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, or in a reference laboratory. Medical Laboratory Technician is #18 on the Best Job List according to the Jobs Related Almanac. A Career Ladder Program has been established to provide additional advancement opportunities. The MLT curriculum is an integrated program in which basic concepts, technical procedures, and laboratory exercises are presented at the college prior to assignment to clinical education at one of the clinical affiliates for practical experience. Students successfully completing the program are eligible for the certification examinations offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), the National Credentailing Agency (NCA), and for licensure in Tennessee.
| Career | Beginning Salary Range with AAS | Experienced Salary Range | Projected % Job Growth Through 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Laboratory Technician | $27,675 to $32,800 | $30,000 to $37,700 | 24% |
Salaries are based on American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) statistics. Salaries are not guaranteed.
Admission Requirements
The Medical Laboratory Technician program has specific admission requirements:
- •Obtain regular admission status to the college.
- •Complete all required basic and developmental courses prior to the May 15 program date.
- •Score a minimum ACT composite of 19 or acceptable placement score, or complete at least 10 semester hours of college-level credit with a minimum GPA of 2.5.
- •Applicants 21 years of age or older with no previously recorded ACT score are not required to take the ACT or equivalent tests but must complete college academic credits as described above in order to be properly evaluated.
- •This curriculum must include college-level mathematics and/or science courses such as biology or
- chemistry that require laboratory sessions and must have been completed within the past five years.
- •Submit a completed MLT application by May 15.
Accreditation Information
The Associate of Applied Science Medical Laboratory Technician program is accredited by the National Accreditating Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. (8410 W. Byrn Mawr Ave. Suite 670, Chicago, IL 60631 or (773) 714-8880) Jackson State Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Program Requirements
(Students may require additional Basic and Developmental courses.)
Communication Requirement
ENGL 1010 English Composition I
Choose ONE Humanities Course
ART 1010 Art History I
ART 1020 Art History II
ART 1030 Art Appreciation
COM 1030 Film Appreciation
ENGL 2111 American Lit: Pre-Colonial - 1865
ENGL 2121 American Lit: 1865 - Present
ENGL 2210 British Lit: Beginnings - 1785
ENGL 2220 British Lit: 1785 - Present
ENGL 2310 World Lit: Beginnings - 1650
ENGL 2320 World Lit: 1650 - Present
HUM 1010 Introduction to the Humanities I
HUM 1020 Introduction to the Humanities II
MUS 1030 Music Appreciation
PHIL 1030 Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL 2110 Introduction to Ethics
THEA 1030 Introduction to Theatre
Social and Behavioral Science Courses
PSY 101 General Psychology I or
PSY 102 General Psychology II
Natural Science or Mathematics Course
BIOL 2010 Human Anatomy & Physiology I
Additional Courses (Both Required)
BIOL 2020 Human Anatomy & Physiology II
CHEM 1110 General Chemistry I
Major Required Courses (All required)
MLT 119 Intro to the Medical Laboratory
MLT 120 Pre-Clinical Hematology
MLT 121 Pre-Clinical Blood Banking
MLT 122 Pre-Clinincal Chemistry
MLT 125 Basic medical Mircrobiology
MLT 126 Parasitology and Mycology
MLT 127 Immunology/Urinalysis & Body Fluids
MLT 201 Clinical Practicum
MLT 202 Clinical Practicum II
MLT 210 Intro to Hospital Practice
MLT 217 Clinical Blood Collection
MLT 218 Clinical Seminar & Review
The Associate of Applied Science Medical Laboratory Technician Major requires 66 college level credits. This is a career program which was granted an exception to the 60 hour limit requirement reached through Tennessee Board of Regents consensus. The exception was granted due to additional hours needed to adequately cover the necessary learning outcomes and/or to meet national accreditation agency requirements. Some courses have prerequisites and co-requisites. See JSCC Academic Catalog and Student Handbook for further information.
Medical Laboratory Technician Faculty recommend students take SPE 211 Fundamentals of Speech, MATH 1630 Finite Mathematics, CIS 101 Software Applications, and HSC 111 Medical Terminology. These courses are not required for graduation in this program.
Sample Schedule
| First Year | Fall Semester | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 2010 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| CHEM 1110 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| MLT 119 | Intro to Medical Lab | 1 |
| MLT 120 | Pre-Clinical Hematology | 4 |
| MLT 127 | Immunology/Urinalysis & Body Fluids | 2 |
| Total Credits | 15 |
| First Year | Spring Semester | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 2020 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| MLT 121 | Pre-Clinical Blood Banking | 3 |
| MLT 125 | Basic Medical Microbiology | 5 |
| MLT 210 | Intro to Hospital Practice | 1 |
| Total Credits | 13 |
| First Year | Summer Semester | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MLT 122 | Pre-Clinical Chemistry | 4 |
| Humanities Course | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 7 |
| Second Year | Fall Semester | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MLT 126 | Parasitology and Mycology | 2 |
| MLT 201 | Clinical Practicum I | 10 |
| Total Credits | 12 |
| Second Year | Spring Semester | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MLT 202 | Clinical Practicum II | 10 |
| MLT 217 | Clinical Blood Collection | 1 |
| MLT 218 | Clinical Seminar & Review | 2 |
| Total Credits | 13 |
| Second Year | Summer Semester | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 1010 | English Composition I | 3 |
| PSY | General Psychology Course | 3 |
| Total Credits | 6 |