Medical Laboratory Technician

Programs > School of Healthcare > Medical Laboratory Technician

medical lab technician working on samples

* Students that complete this program will receive Specialized Associate Degree (Occupational)

As a Medical Laboratory Technician, you're a valued member of the health care team who provides clinical information for disease prevention, medical diagnosis, and treatment of patients by processing specimens and performing laboratory tests.

Medical Laboratory Technicians are an integral part of the healthcare field as they:

Collect samples
Perform tests to analyze body fluids, tissues and other substances.
Look for bacteria, parasites, and other microorganisms
Analyze the chemical content of fluids
Match blood for transfusions
Test for drug levels in the blood to show how a patient is responding to treatment
Count cells and look for abnormal cells in blood and body fluids

Working primarily behind the scenes, you will have a positive impact on patients’ lives as a Medical Laboratory Technician.

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	Medical Laboratory Technician, 20-month program
	Medical Terminology This course will acquaint the student with skills in word analysis and word building, pronunciation, and spelling along with word recognition and the accurate application of work elements as related to the language of medicine. Basic human anatomy and physiology are presented when applicable to refine the student’s understanding of the appropriate medical terms.
	Anatomy & Physiology The student will become acquainted with anatomical structures and their corresponding body functions. The major body systems will be studied in depth. The corresponding disease process for the common bodily malfunctions of each system will be included. Actual case situations will be discussed to facilitate application principles.
	Pathophysiology description
	Immunohematology I This course provides MLT students with career-entry knowledge and skills related to transfusion medicine through the study of blood-group antigens and antibodies and transfusion of cellular elements and plasma components. Emphasis is placed on the clinical and serologic nature of antibodies and antigens and the immune response to transfused blood products. Other topics included are major blood group antigens/antibodies, pre-transfusion testing and reagents, donor collection and testing, blood components, adverse complications of transfusion and hemolytic disease of the newborn. Prerequisite: MLT102 Principles of Chemistry
	Immunohematology II This course provides MLT students with career-entry knowledge and skills related to transfusion medicine through the study of blood-group antigens and antibodies and transfusion of cellular elements and plasma components. Emphasis is placed on the clinical and serologic nature of antibodies and antigens and the immune response to transfused blood products. Other topics included are major blood group antigens/antibodies, pre-transfusion testing and reagents, recognition and resolution of unexpected testing results, donor collection and testing, blood components, adverse complications of transfusion and hemolytic disease of the fetus/newborn. Prerequisites: MLT202 Chemistry, MLT203 Hematology II, MLT105 Immunohematology I, MLT104 Microbiology I and MLT206 Immunology
	Chemistry *This course provides MLT students with career-entry knowledge and skills related to tests and techniques used in clinical chemistry to analyze blood and body fluids for the presence/absence of substances or for the level/amount of substances. Analytes studied include those having a biological function, metabolic waste products, substances that indicate cell damage or disease, and drugs or toxic substances. Test results are compared with normal, or reference, values of those found in healthy individuals. Interpretation of test results is related to physiological and biochemical processes occurring in health and in disease. Clinical chemistry analytes presented include those associated with electrolyte balance, mineral metabolism, kidney and liver function, cardiac function, lipid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, heme metabolism, thyroid function, hormones, tumor markers, therapeutic drug monitoring and toxicology. Prerequisites: MLT102 Principles of Chemistry, MLT103 Hematology I
	Hematology I This course provides MLT students with career-entry knowledge and skills related to the theory and testing of formed elements of blood (blood cells) and coagulation. Topics presented will include composition of blood, cellular elements of blood, origin and maturation of blood cells, hematological disorders, tests related to blood cells and results consistent with health and disease. Coagulation topics will include hemostasis, the coagulation process, disorders related to hemostasis and coagulation, tests evaluating coagulation and results consistent with health and disease states.
	Hematology II This course provides MLT students with career-entry knowledge and skills related to the disorders/diseases of formed elements of blood (blood cells) and coagulation. Topics presented will include hematological disorders and related tests and results consistent with health and disease. Coagulation topics will include hemostasis, the coagulation process, disorders related to hemostasis and coagulation, tests evaluating coagulation and results consistent with health and disease states. Prerequisite: MLT102 Principles of Chemistry
	Immunology This course provides MLT students with career-entry knowledge and skills related to how the body defends itself against foreign material. Students learn the body’s systems, cells, molecules and organs involved in the immune response and resistance to microbial infection. The nature of antigens and antibodies and antigen-antibody interactions is presented. The theory of serologic test methodologies is presented as background information. Immunologic manifestations and diagnostic testing for streptococcal infections, syphilis, tick-borne diseases, toxoplasmosis, Cytomegalovirus, infectious mononucleosis, viral hepatitis, rubella and AIDS are studied. The nature of autoimmunity and autoimmune disorders is included along with laboratory testing used to diagnose autoimmune conditions.
	Microbiology This course provides MLT students with career-entry knowledge and skills related to microorganisms encountered in patient specimens/diseases. Organisms included are those significant in bacteriology, mycology, parasitology and virology. Normal flora, opportunistic infectors and pathogens are studied. Emphasis is directed to proper specimen collection and processing; bacterial structure, morphology and staining; media types and culture/growth requirements; reagents, principles and results of biochemical test procedures and principles/procedures of antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods. Prerequisites: MLT103 Hematology I and MLT206 Immunology
	Body Fluids This course provides MLT students with career-entry knowledge and skills related to laboratory testing procedures, principles and results that are used to analyze body fluids, including urine, amniotic fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, seminal fluid, serous fluids, synovial fluid, vaginal secretions and feces. Both formed elements and solutes in body fluids are studied. The anatomic and physiologic processes involved in the formation of each body fluid studied are presented to provide a foundation for understanding the variation in test results possible in health and disease. Prerequisites: MLT202 Chemistry, MLT203 Hematology II, MLT105 Immunohematology I, MLT104 Microbiology I and MLT206 Immunology
	Laboratory Math This course provides MLT students career-entry knowledge and skills related to mathematical calculations used in determining certain laboratory measurements or performing necessary functions. Course content includes calculations related to clinical chemistry: solutions, dilutions, concentrations and spectrophotometry; hematology: manual cell counts, indices and corrected WBC count; renal clearance, urine colony counts, blood bank: FMH volume, RhIg dosage and # compatible units; and statistics for quality control and test specificity and sensitivity. Prerequisites: MLT101 Introduction to Medical Laboratory Science, MAT171DE Introductory Algebra

Medical Terminology
Anatomy & Physiology
Pathophysiology
Chemistry I / II
Hematology I / II
Immunology
Immunohemotology I / II
Microbiology I / II
Laboratory Math
Med Law & Ethics
Body Fluids
Cert Prep

Laurel's program prepares you to take the following industry-recognized credentials:

Bright Outlook Occupation: Medical Laboratory Technician

Learn more about Laurel's internship program.

Laurel encourages all prospective students to fully research employment opportunities when choosing a program of study. Please click the links below to learn more.

The U.S. Department of Labor and the National Center for O*NET Development published a list of “Bright Outlook Occupations*,” which allows individuals to view and research popular, in-demand occupations in a specific field of study. Laurel is dedicated to preparing students and graduates for those “bright” employment and career opportunities and helping our local employers find their perfect candidates. Bright Outlook Occupations are jobs that are expected to grow rapidly in the next several years, are predicted to have a large number of job openings, and include new and emerging occupations in high-growth industries!