Medical Laboratory Technology, AAS

Program Start Date: Fall term
Minimum Program Length: 90 academic weeks; 6 consecutive terms, day; 76 credits
Program ID:  AAS.MLT
Curriculum Code: 35205

Program Description

Medical laboratory technology students work as medical investigators analyzing blood, urine, spinal, other body fluids, and tissues to aid the physician diagnose, treat, and monitor disease processes in patients. Students have less patient contact than many other health science students.

Practical Experience

Students gain interpersonal and technical skills by completing a nine-month clinical rotation in affiliated hospitals, physicians’ offices, and clinics.

Professional Opportunities

Medical laboratory technicians work in hospitals, physicians’ offices, veterinary clinics, private and research laboratories, and industrial laboratories. Medical laboratory technicians may also work as technical representatives and salespersons for medical supply companies.

Unique Aspects

A criminal background investigation (CBI) and drug testing are required at student expense for each Health and Human Services student who has been accepted into a Spartanburg Community College curriculum program of study. For more information, please visit the Criminal Background Investigations and Drug Testing information section of the SCC webpage.

Students perform blood collection techniques, examine specimens under a microscope, culture microorganisms, and operate complex digital medical equipment and computers. Graduates are eligible to apply to take the national certification examination to become certified Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLT). The Medical Laboratory Technology Program is accredited by:

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
600 N. River Road, Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018
(773) 714-8880
NAACLS Website (http://www.naacls.org)

EEDA Career Cluster

Health Science

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate proper procedures for the collection, processing, and analysis of biological specimens.
2. Perform routine clinical laboratory tests in Chemistry, Hematology/Hemostasis, Immunology/Immunohematology, Microbiology, and Point of Care Testing.
3. Perform and monitor Quality Control, and Preventative Maintenance recognizing factors which interfere with analytical tests and to take appropriate actions.
4. Correlate laboratory test results with patient diagnosis and treatment.
5. Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior consistent with current academic and clinical standards.
6. Demonstrate their ability to speak publicly, listen actively, and respond effectively.

Prerequisites

• One unit HS biology or equivalent
• One unit HS chemistry or equivalent

The Medical Laboratory Technology program is a two-year full-time Associate in Applied Science degree program offered at the Giles (Main) SCC campus.  The program consists of six semesters and is divided into two phases.  Phase I (prerequisites) includes the general education courses that must be completed prior to applying for Phase II which includes the Medical Laboratory Technology professional curriculum.  Completion of Phase I does not guarantee progression to Phase II of the program.  Upon successful completion of all Phase I courses, qualified students may apply for acceptance into Phase II of the program.  A selective ranking system is used that includes the grades earned in Phase I, attendance of an information session, and the grade point average related to the Phase I courses. 

The first semester is designed for completion of Phase I (prerequisites) general education courses required for submission of an application to Phase II (professional curriculum).  Phase II (professional curriculum) is designed to be completed in semesters 2-6.