Medical Laboratory Technician Major

The Associate of Applied Science

Contact Information
Carla Simpson
(731) 424-3520 ext. 50254
csimpson@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 analysis 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 Credentialing Agency (NCA), and for licensure in Tennessee.

Admission Requirements

The Medical Laboratory Technician program has specific admission requirements:

  • Obtain regular admission status to the college.
  • Complete four (4) hours of observation at a hospital prior to applying to the MLT program.
  • Complete all required learning support courses prior to the June 1 program application date.
  • Score a minimum ACT composite of 19 or acceptable Accuplacer 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 June 1.

Accreditation Information

The Associate of Applied Science Medical Laboratory Technician program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. (5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont IL, 60018 or (773) 714-8880) Jackson State Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Program Requirements

(Students may require additional Learning Support courses.)

Communication Requirement
ENGL 1010 English Composition I

Choose ONE Humanities Course
ARTH 2010 Survey of Art History I
ART 2020 Art History Survey II
ART 1035 Intro to Art
COMM 1851 Intro to Film
ENGL 2110 Early American Literature
ENGL 2121 American Lit: 1865 - Present
ENGL 2210 British Lit: Beginnings - 1785
ENGL 2220 Modern British Literature
ENGL 2310 Early World Literature
ENGL 2320 Modern World Literature
HUM 1010 Introduction to the Humanities I
HUM 1020 Introduction to the Humanities II
MUS 1030 Introduction to Music
PHIL 1030 Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL 1040 Introduction to Ethics
THEA 1030 Introduction to Theatre

Social and Behavioral Science Course
PSYC 1030 General Psychology

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)
MLAB 1301 Intro to Medical Laboratory Technology
MLAB 2402 Hematology & Hemostasis
MLAB 2301 Immunohematology/Blood Bank
MLAB 2401 Clinical Chemistry
MLAB 2403 Clinical Microbiology
MLAB 2201 Clinical Immunology
MLAB 2202 Urinalysis & Body Fluids
MLAB 1510 Clinical Practicum I
MLAB 1520 Clinical Practicum II
MLAB 2510 Clinical Practicum III
MLAB 2520 Clinical Practicum IV
MLAB 2150 Special Topics/Med. Lab. Tech.
MLAB 2250 Special Topics/Med. Lab. Tech.

The Associate of Applied Science: Medical Laboratory Technician 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.

Medical Laboratory Technician Faculty recommend students take COMM 2025 Fundamentals of Communication, 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

1st Year, Fall Semester
Number Course Name Credits
BIOL 2010 Human Anatomy & Physiology I 4
MLAB 2401 Clinical Chemistry  4
MLAB 1301 Intro to Medical Lab Tech 3
MLAB 2402 Hematology & Hemostasis 3
  Total Credits 14
1st Year, Spring Semester
Number Course Name Credits
BIOL 2020 Human Anatomy & Physiology II 4
CHEM 1110 General Chemistry I 4
MLAB 2403 Clinical Microbiology 4
MLAB 2201 Clinical Immunology 2
MLAB 2202 Urinalysis & Body Fluids

2

  Total Credits 16
1st Year, Summer Semester
Number Course Name Credits
MLAB 2301 Immunohematology/Blood Bank 3

MLAB 2150

Special Topics/Med. Lab. Tech 1

 

Humanities Course (if needed) 3
  Total Credits 7
2nd Year, Fall Semester
Number Course Name Credits
MLAB 2250 Special Topics/Med. Lab. Tech. 2
MLAB 1510 Clinical Practicum I  5
MLAB 1520 Clinical Practicum II 5
  Total Credits 12
2nd Year, Spring Semester
Number Course Name Credits
MLAB 2510 Clinical Practicum III 5
MLAB 2520 Clinical Practicum IV 5
MLAB 2270 Seminar II 2
  Total Credits

12

2nd Year, Summer Semester
Number Course Name Credits
ENGL 1010 English Composition I 3
PSYC 1030 General Psychology 3
  Total Credits 6