Medical Laboratory Technology

Medical Laboratory Technology Associate Degree

Medical laboratory technicians play an important role in the practice of modern medicine. They perform diagnostic procedures in the health care setting, such as chemical analysis of body fluids, classification of blood cells, identification of disease producing microorganisms, and the selection of compatible donor blood for transfusion. The Medical Laboratory Technology Associate Degree program is designed to prepare graduates to perform laboratory procedures in a variety of settings. Career and employment opportunities include hospitals, research and reference laboratories, public health and veterinary facilities, and environmental and quality assurance laboratories. Graduates may also pursue careers in marketing, sales and customer service.
 
The first six quarters of the Medical Laboratory program provide the students with entry-level knowledge and skills in clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, hematology, immunohematology, immunology, and phlebotomy in a classroom laboratory setting. This training is enriched during the seventh quarter of the program when students have the opportunity to apply their previously acquired knowledge and skills in an actual working environment. Affiliated hospital and private laboratories located within our service district of  approximately  60-miles of Columbus will be utilized for this ten-week clinical practicum. 
 
Students who successfully complete the program are eligible to take the certification examination administered by the Board of Registry of the American Society for Clinical Pathology and become a certified MLT(ASCP).  Graduates are also eligible to take the certification examination administered by the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel and become a certified clinical laboratory technician (CLT).  With additional education and/or technical experience, graduates may also advance in the field to become a technologist, research specialist, manager or educator.
 
The Medical Laboratory Technology program at Columbus State is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) at 5600 N. River Rd, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119, telephone (773) 714-8880. The program has produced over 800 graduates in the past 35 years who have consistently met or exceeded the national average on credentialing examinations. The Ohio Board of Regents recognizes Columbus State’s MLT program as a “Program of Excellence.”
 
The Medical Laboratory Technology Program delivers all program technical lecture courses in a Web-based format (online) and the technical laboratories are offered face-to-face in the campus laboratories located in Union Hall.

Alternative Web-Based Option for Students Outside of the Service District

This option is designed for students who are not located in our service district (outside Columbus, Ohio and surrounding counties).  Both the Medical Laboratory Technology technical lecture and technical laboratory components are available in a Web-based format for students currently working in a clinical laboratory. The employer must be willing to sponsor the student by entering in a contractual agreement with Columbus State Community College and to provide the clinical training for seven quarters working closely with Medical Laboratory Technology Program faculty. Students interested in pursuing this option will need to contact the Medical Laboratory program coordinator for specific entrance requirements. The Medical Laboratory program contact number is (614) 287-2518. The program’s home page is http://www.cscc.edu/MLT/index.htm.

Medical Laboratory Technology

Upon completion of the associate degree in Medical Laboratory Technology, the graduate will be able to demonstrate entry-level competencies in the following areas of professional practice:

• Pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes in all disciplines of the clinical laboratory.
• Theoretical knowledge needed to assure accuracy and validity of test results by clinical correlation and quality control performance.
• Professional attitudes and behaviors which are necessary for gaining and maintaining the confidence of the health care community.
• Meeting the requirements to take a national certifying examination for Medical Laboratory Technicians.

Specific Program Admission Information

Listed below are additional requirements for admission to the Medical Laboratory Technology:

• High school biology with a grade of “C” or better completed within the last five years, or completion of BIO 100 with a grade of “C” or better, or equivalent college credit
• Placement into ENGL 101, or ENGL 111, or completion of ENGL 100 with a grade of “C” or better
• Completion of MATH 103 with a grade of “C” or better, or equivalent college credit
• Completion of CHEM 113 with a “C” or better, or equivalent college credit
• Completion of MLT 100 with a grade of “C” or better
• Completion of CIT 101, with a grade of “C” or better or equivalent college credit
• Completed health record on file in the Health Records Office
• Minimum GPA of 2.500 or better through most recently completed course work
• Students may be required to complete drug testing, background screening, and a Health Occupation Basic Entrance Exam (HOBET).

Medical Laboratory Technology Associate Degree