Medical Laboratory Technology, AAS

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The MLT program prepares graduates for entry-level positions in a clinical laboratory environment such as in hospitals, physicians’ offices, commercial laboratories, biotechnology, research laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, technical services and sales, or veterinary laboratories. At entry level, the medical laboratory technician will possess the entry level competencies necessary to perform routine testing in the areas of Clinical Chemistry, Hematology/Hemostasis, Immunology, Immunohematology/Transfusion medicine, Microbiology, Urine and Body Fluid Analysis, and Laboratory Operations. After completing all academic and clinical requirements, students will be eligible to sit for the national certification exam and apply for state licensure. Upon completion of this program, students will be able to

Demonstrate the expertise to collect, process and identify specimens;
Culture microorganisms to determine identity and sensitivity to antibiotics;
Conduct blood cell counts and analyze blood, body fluids and other sample types to determine biological and chemical components present;
Perform routine compatibility testing and select and prepare appropriate blood and blood components for transfusions; and
Exercise safety precautions and quality control throughout the laboratory.

Required Courses

First Year

(Required Prerequisite Courses)

Fall Semester

AHMA 220 - Phlebotomy Credit(s): 3 *
AHMT 101 - Introduction to Medical Laboratory Technology Credit(s): 2
BIOB 160NL - Principles of Living Systems Credit(s): 4
OR
BIOH 201NL - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credit(s): 4 *
CHMY 121NL - Introduction to General Chemistry Credit(s): 4 *
WRIT 101W - College Writing I Credit(s): 3 * ^R

First Semester Total: 16

Spring Semester

BIOM 250NL - Microbiology for Health Sciences Credit(s): 4 *
CHMY 123NL - Introduction to Organic Biochemistry Credit(s): 4 *
COMX 111C - Introduction to Public Speaking Credit(s): 3 ^R
OR
COMX 115C - Introduction to Interpersonal Communication Credit(s): 3 ^R
M 115M - Probability and Linear Mathematics Credit(s): 3 * ^R
OR
M 121M - College Algebra Credit(s): 3 * ^R
OR
M 140M - College Math for Healthcare Credit(s): 3 * ^R

Second Semester Total: 14

Second Year

(Program Courses)

Fall Semester

AHMT 201 - Hematology and Coagulation Credit(s): 6 *
AHMT 205 - Urinalysis and Body Fluids Credit(s): 3 *
AHMT 210 - Immunology and Serology Credit(s): 3 *
AHMT 295v - Clinical I: Medical Laboratory Clinical Credit(s): 5 *

First Semester Total: 17

Spring Semester

AHMT 230 - Immunohematology Credit(s): 3 *
AHMT 240 - Clinical Chemistry Credit(s): 3 *
AHMT 295x - Clinical II: Medical Laboratory Clinical Credit(s): 8 *

Second Semester Total: 14

Summer Semester

AHMT 235 - Clinical Microbiology Credit(s): 4 *
AHMT 295y - Clinical III: Medical Laboratory Clinical Credit(s): 5 * ^R

Third Semester Total: 9

Total Credits: 70

^R Indicates Related Instruction requirement.

*Indicates prerequisite and/or corequisite needed. Check course description.

Admission Guidelines

Students must apply for select admission to the MLT program. This should occur the spring semester during which the applicant is completing the second semester of prerequisites.
Applications are available here after March 1 and must be completed and returned no later than the last Friday in April.
Admission to the program is based upon the following:

High school diploma or GED
Evidence of academic achievement in the prerequisite courses taken prior to application
Completion of all prerequisite courses before the end of spring semester
An interview

Students admitted into the program are required to have a background check and proof of health insurance.

Program Information

Prior to applying to the program, students must have completed or be in the process of completing the first year of courses by the end of spring semester. Students may be advised to take CHMY 105 in preparation for CHMY 121 ; preparation math courses for M 115 ; and preparation writing courses for WRIT 101 .
A grade of “C” or higher is required for first-year courses.
Once a student is officially enrolled in the MLT program, each AHMT course must be passed with a grade of at least a 75% or higher in both laborabory and lecture portions of the course for the student to continue in the program. If any course grade is less than a 75% the student must withdraw from the MLT program. Remediation will be attempted after filling out an Action Plan Form to formulate a plan for improving performance in technical MLT courses.
Program Accreditation: The Medical Laboratory Technology program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119
(773) 714-8880, info@naacls.org

Additional Costs: Students enrolled in courses with a laboratory component will pay additional lab fees.

Opportunities after Graduation

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that employment for medical laboratory technicians will grow 7% between 2019 and 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.
From 2018-2028 an 8% increase is predicted in Montana.

Advising Information:

For more information about this program, contact the Faculty Advisor.

Faculty Advisor	Program Director
Janice Alexander, Ph.D.	Denise Pacovsky, MS, MLS (ASCP) ^CM
RH 107	(406) 758-8420
(406) 756-3948	dpacovsky@fvcc.edu
jalexand@fvcc.edu