Medical Laboratory Technician
Description:
The Medical Laboratory Technician curriculum prepares students for positions as technicians in hospital laboratories, physician offices, pharmaceutical companies, private laboratories or other types of clinical laboratory facilities.
Technicians perform clinical laboratory procedures in chemistry, blood banking, microbiology, immunology, hematology, coagulation and other areas of the clinical laboratory, developing data used by a physician to determine the presence and extent of disease, as well as monitoring the patient's treatment.
The student will spend time in clinical laboratories during their course of study to become familiar with the instrumentation, workload and day-to-day operations of the clinical laboratory.
Accreditation:
The Medical Laboratory Technician program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).* Graduates of the MLT curriculum are eligible to take the "MLT" ASCP Board of Certification Exam.
Program Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this program graduates will be able to:
- Collect biological samples safely and according to standard operating procedures
- Analyze biological samples safely and according to standard operating procedures
- Demonstrate a broad knowledge of basic laboratory tests for all lab departments in preparation for a certification exam
- Apply professional and ethical behaviors in the clinical laboratory setting
- Use problem solving skills to integrate laboratory data for patient diagnosis.
Program Entry Requirements:
Admission is selective and requires that potential students fulfill all College admission requirements. Applicants for the program must have:
- High school diploma or general education diploma (GED).
- A minimum of one year of high school biology and chemistry or their applicable equivalents within the last 10 years with a grade of “C” or better.
- Applicants must demonstrate readiness for ENGL101 and FMNT 118 as determined by the College's placement or by successfully completing identified developmental course work.
- Minimum grade point average of 2.25
Applicants must be 18 years of age on or before the first day of the semester in which they begin the program.
Applicants who complete and meet the aforementioned requirements will be eligible to continue in the admissions process and will be contacted, via e-mail, concerning the scheduling of an admissions interview with the Program Director (or designee). A scheduled interview does not guarantee admission. Upon completion of the admissions interview, the Program Director (or designee) will review and score all applicants with particular attention to:
- Cumulative grade point average
- Strength of secondary/post-secondary academic curriculum
- Allied Health pre-entrance examination score (Kaplan exam)
- Personal interview
Conditions for Acceptance:
All applicants are notified in writing regarding the admissions decision. All offers of acceptance are contingent upon successful completion of the following:
- Acknowledgement of Core Performance Standards for Health Care Career Programs and physical demand analysis: https://www.myccp.online/medical-laboratory-technician-program
- Clinical education requires the following:
- Activity Tolerance: Move quickly and/or tolerate long periods of standing and/or sitting. Perform tasks accurately under time constraints.
- Mobility: Ability to ambulate without assistive devices in confined areas, reach laboratory bench tops and equipment.
- Motor Skills: Reach, manipulate, and operate equipment, instruments, and supplies to include VP needles and micropipettes.
- Students who are registered with the Center on Disability must inform the Program Director if accommodations are required.
- Completion of criminal background check, child abuse clearance, and drug screening:
- Criminal Background Checks:
- Any felony conviction within the past 10 years will result in denial of admission to the MLT program.
- Any felony conviction more than 10 years old will be evaluated based on the nature of the offense, length of time since the offense and any explanatory letters/materials submitted by the applicant or student.
- Any misdemeanor will be evaluated based on the nature of the offense, length of time since the offense and explanatory letter/materials submitted by the applicant or student. (Any punishment over one year indicates a felony according to federal sentencing guidelines.)
- Drug Screening Clearance:
- The MLT program requires participation in clinical education. Clinical affiliates of the MLT program require evidence of a negative drug screening test in order for a student to participate in the clinical education part of the MLT program at their facility. Therefore, any student with a positive drug screening test cannot be admitted into the MLT program. The College, in its admissions process, will consider information regarding criminal convictions and/or crimes of moral turpitude. Admission is conditional pending receipt and evaluation of a Pennsylvania State Police and F.B.I. criminal background check, child abuse check and drug screening test.
- Additional conditions for acceptance into the program include:
- Documentation of a complete physical examination (health form), including required laboratory tests (TB test, proof of immunity). All health information is kept confidential.
- Documentation of up to date immunizations prior to clinical assignment. Additional immunizations (e.g., influenza) and antibody titers may be necessary.
- Documentation of current health insurance coverage, which must be maintained throughout the Program.
- Attendance at scheduled Program orientation prior to entry.
- Purchase of MLT student uniform
- Criminal Background Checks:
For more information about program entry requirements, please visit the Medical Laboratory Technician program overview.
Additional Expenses
Additional expenses for students in the program include travel to clinical facilities, purchase of uniforms, shoes, laboratory coats, required textbooks, a physical examination and inoculations.
Reconsideration:
An applicant who believes that an error of fact has been made in terms of the information provided to the decision making committee can request reconsideration by the committee. This request must be made in writing within ten days from the date of the letter notifying the applicant of the decision. The reconsideration should address what the applicant considers to be errors of fact.
Following reconsideration by the decision making committee, the applicant can appeal the committee's decision to the Vice President for Academic and Student Success, whose decision is final. Any official change or the initiation of any governmental proceeding affecting the information revealed by the required criminal or child abuse background check must be reported immediately to the MLT curriculum coordinator.
Disciplinary Action:
Involvement in any incident which resulted in a disciplinary action against a student at Community College of Philadelphia or any post-secondary institution is considered in the admissions process. The MLT program reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant who has a history of violating College rules and regulations or who has been previously suspended or expelled from the College or any other post-secondary educational institution.
Dismissal from the Program:
The MLT Program reserves the right to dismiss any student:
- who fails to observe the regulations of College and its clinical affiliates,
- whose skills, attitude and behavior are viewed as inconsistent with professional standards,
- whose general conduct is detrimental to the College and its clinical affiliates,
- who does not meet the scholastic requirements of the MLT Program. A student who earns a grade of "D" or lower in any MLT course will be dismissed from the program.
- who fails to complete all general science prerequisites prior to entering the second year of the program.
Readmission Policy:
- The MLT program is intended to be completed in 18 months beginning in September of each year. In order to progress through the program, students must complete all curriculum courses with a grade of "C" or better and maintain a GPA of 2.25 or higher. Eligible students seeking program readmission must do so within twelve (12) months of program separation.
- Program readmission is not guaranteed and is dependent upon program capacity and availability. A student must be eligible for readmission according to the College standards. Students who request to be considered for program readmission must meet the current admissions criteria and requirements at the time the request for readmission is placed. Readmitted students must follow the curriculum requirements at the time of their return to the program.
- Eligible students may apply for readmission only once. Students must submit a letter to the Program Director requesting a temporary leave from the Program
Students Eligible for Readmission:
- Students who withdraw from the MLT program in good academic standing (grade "C" or better in all completed curriculum courses and GPA of 2.25 or higher)
- Students who are dismissed from the MLT program due to a grade "D" or lower in any MLT academic course, with a GPA at time of readmission request of 2.25 or higher
Students Ineligible for Readmission:
- Students who are dismissed from the MLT program due to a grade "D" or lower in any clinical MLT course (MLT 102 and MLT 295)
- Students who are dismissed from the MLT program due to inappropriate conduct and/or violations of the College's academic integrity policy, clinical code of conduct, moral/ethical standards, professional standards or performance standards.
Process for Readmission Consideration:
In order to be considered for Program readmission, the applicant must:
- Successfully complete all MLT Program prerequisite requirements.
- Submit a letter to the Program Director requesting a readmission to the Program.
- Have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.25 for all college classes
- Successfully complete a comprehensive written exam. The exam content will include current material from courses which the student previously completed.
- Repeat previously completed courses as recommended by Program faculty. Curriculum analysis is conducted annually, and course content may change to ensure Program alignment with the ASCP exam Content.
The results of the written exam, as well as the student's prior academic progress, will be evaluated by faculty to determine the student's potential for success in the program and semester placement. MLT courses are offered chronologically and only once a year, therefore a readmission date will be based on the semester in which the courses are being offered. The program must be completed within three (3) academic years after a student's initial enrollment. Readmission is not guaranteed and is dependent upon available space.
Students seeking readmission into the MLT Program must contact the Program Director in writing at least 6-12 months prior to start of the requested entering semester.
Program of Study and Graduation Requirements:
To qualify for the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree as a medical laboratory technician, a student must complete 63 credit hours as prescribed, attain a grade point average of 2.0 or better, and earn no grade below "C" in each MLT course and in each science course.
Course Sequence:
Semester 1
| Course Number and Name | Prerequisites and Corequisites | Credits | Gen Ed Req. |
|---|---|---|---|
| MLT 102 - Phlebotomy | 4 credits | ||
| ENGL 101 - English Composition I or ENGL 101H - English Composition I (Honors) | 3 credits | Writing/Research/Info Lit 1 | |
| BIOL 108 - Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology or BIOL 109 and BIOL 110 Anatomy and Physiology* | For BIOL 109, BIOL 106 or high school biology and chemistry within 10 years For BIOL 110 , BIOL 109 with a "C" or better | 4 credits | Scientific Reasoning |
| FNMT 118 - Intermediate Algebra | FNMT 017 or FNMT 019 completed or FNMT 118 (or higher) placement | 3 credits | Quantitative Reasoning |
| CHEM 110 - Introductory Chemistry or CHEM 121 - College Chemistry I | For CHEM 121, CHEM 110 with a "C" or better and FNMT 118 | 4 credits |
Semester 2
| Course Number and Name | Prerequisites and Corequisites | Credits | Gen Ed Req. |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIS 103 - Introduction to Information Technology | 3 credits | Technological Competency | |
| MLT 155 - Clinical Hematology | BIOL 108 or BIOL 110 which may be concurrently* and MLT 102, which may be taken concurrently | 4 credits | |
| ENGL 102 - The Research Paper or ENGL 102H - The Research Paper (Honors) | ENGL 101 with a grade of "C" or better | 3 credits | Writing/Research/Info Lit 2 |
| CHEM 118 - Introduction to Biochemistry or CHEM 122 - College Chemistry II | For CHEM 118: CHEM 101, CHEM 110 or CHEM 121 with a grade "C" or better. | 4 credits | |
| BIOL 241 - Principles of Microbiology | BIOL 106 or BIOL 108 or BIOL 109 or BIOL 123 with a grade "C" or better | 4 credits |
Summer 1
| Course Number and Name | Prerequisites and Corequisites | Credits | Gen Ed Req. |
|---|---|---|---|
| MLT 205 - Immunohematology and Immunology | BIOL 108 or BIOL 109 and BIOL 110 and MLT 155 | 4 credits |
Semester 3
| Course Number and Name | Prerequisites and Corequisites | Credits | Gen Ed Req. |
|---|---|---|---|
| MLT 225 - Clinical Chemistry | BIOL 108 or BIOL 109 + BIOL 110, CHEM 110 and CHEM 118 or CHEM 121 and CHEM 122, MLT 205 + FNMT 118 (all with a grade "C" or better) | 4 credits | |
| MLT 245 - Clinical Microbiology | BIOL 241, CHEM 110 and CHEM 118 or CHEM 121 and CHEM 122 MLT 205 (all with a grade "C" or better) | 4 credits | |
| SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology or SOC 101H - Introduction to Sociology (Honors) or GEOG 103 - Introduction to Human Geography | 3 credits | Cultural Analysis and Interpretation |
Semester 4
| Course Number and Name | Prerequisites and Corequisites | Credits | Gen Ed Req. |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL 115 - Public Speaking or ENGL 116 - Interpersonal Communication or ENGL 117 - Group and Team Communication or ENGL 118 - Intercultural Communication or AH 116 - Therapeutic Communication | ENGL 101, which may be taken concurrently | 3 credits | |
| MLT 265 - Current Topics in Medical Laboratory Sciences | MLT 225 and MLT 245 (both with grade "C" or better) | 3 credits | |
| MLT 295 - Clinical Practice | MLT 225 and MLT 245 and MLT 265, which may be taken concurrently | 6 credits |
Minimum Credits Needed to Graduate:
63*Students in this program must take either BIOL 108 or both BIOL 109 & BIOL 110. Students who choose the two-semester 109 & 110 sequence should take BIOL 241 in the summer between the second and third semester.
Phlebotomy Certificate Program
The Phlebotomy Certificate consists of one course: MLT 102 – Phlebotomy. MLT 102 is a one-semester course that includes two hours of lecture, three hours of student lab, and eight hours of clinical rotation per week in a hospital laboratory or outpatient facility. The Phlebotomy Certificate is approved by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).* Students who successfully complete the Phlebotomy Certificate are eligible to take the PBT (ASCP) Certification exam. Students are not required to take the certification exam to receive the Phlebotomy Certificate.
* 5600 N. River Road
Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018
773-741-8880
www.naacls.org
Admission requirements are:
- High school diploma or general education diploma (GED).
- ENGL 101 and FNMT 019 or FNMT 017 placement.
- Results of a physical examination, immunizations, including Hepatitis B and a current Quantiferon TB test.
- Verification of medical insurance is mandatory.
- The student must present a negative criminal record check, child abuse clearance and drug screening prior to entering the program.
- Acknowledgement of Core Performance Standards for Health Care Career Programs and physical demand analysis.
Applicants must be 18 years of age on or before the first day of the semester in which they begin the Phlebotomy Certificate.
Application process:
Current Community College of Philadelphia students who plan on applying to the Phlebotomy Certificate program and meet the eligibility requirements should complete the program application by following these steps
- Step one: Login to MyCCP
- Step two: Click on the "Student" tab
- Step three: Click on the "Allied Health/Nursing Application Forms" under "Electronic Forms" on the top, right-hand side of the page
- Step four: Select your program of interest - Phlebotomy
- Step five: Complete and submit the form*
*The document package should include:
- A completed application, a health form (to include test results and vaccination records), and a photo of the insurance card should be uploaded under step #5 in order to submit the form.
Students will be notified via email about acceptance into the course. Only accepted students will receive further instructions on obtaining the remaining paperwork via CastleBranch.com. Do not start obtaining clearances until you get accepted into the program.
Seats are limited and fill quickly, and it is in the best interest of a student to apply early. The final admission will be granted to the students who submit all the mandatory paperwork via CastleBranch.com before the due date on the application (on a first-come, first-registered basis). Students will be able to register online only after they complete the majority of tasks on the Castlebrach.
The seats are limited to 24 students for the fall and spring semesters and 12 students for the Summer I semester. Students in the AAS MLT program and Medical Assistant certificate receive reserved seats in the class because this class is required for their graduation.
* 5600 N. River Road
Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018
773-741-8880
www.naacls.org
For your info applications release/deadline dates are
| Semester | Applications release date | Deadline for submission |
| Fall | First Monday in March | First Monday of August |
| Spring | Third Monday in September | First Monday of December |
| Summer I | Third Monday in January | First Monday of April |
| Summer II | First Monday of February | First Monday of June |
Dismissal from the Phlebotomy Certificate
The Curriculum coordinator reserves the right to dismiss any student:
- who fails to observe the regulations of College and its clinical affiliates,
- whose skills, attitude and behavior are viewed as inconsistent with professional standards,
- whose general conduct is detrimental to the College and its clinical affiliates,
- whose attendance at the clinical site is unacceptable,
- who does not meet the competency requirements of the Phlebotomy Certificate.
Readmission Policy:
Students who withdraw from the Phlebotomy Certificate in good standing may apply for readmission only once. Students dismissed from the Phlebotomy Certificate due one of the reasons stated above may not reapply to the course/program.
General Education Requirements:
All general education requirements necessary for graduation are met through the courses in the program as indicated above. Students who wish to take courses that differ from the general education courses indicated above must complete a course substitution request form. To access the form, login to the MyCCP portal, and in the Student tab, under Electronic Forms, click on the Records and Registration Forms link, then choose Request For Course Substitution Of Graduation Requirement link. A more detailed explanation of the College's general education requirements is also available.
1 Students in this program must take either BIOL 108 or both BIOL 109 & BIOL 110. Students who choose the two-semester 109 & 110 sequence should take BIOL 241 in the summer between the second and third semester.
For More Information, Contact:
The Division of Math, Science and Health Careers, Room W1-1, 1700 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130, Telephone (215) 751-8430; or the College Information Center (215) 751 8010.