Medical Laboratory Technology, Associate in Science

Program Overview

Medical laboratory technicians have an important impact on patient care from behind the scenes. They perform and report laboratory testing on blood and other body fluids, and work in hospitals, clinics and commercial medical laboratories. If you have a love of science, are detail oriented, technically inclined, and can follow established procedures, you have the skills to be a successful medical laboratory technician.

iHealth@NECC’s Medical Laboratory Technology Associate Degree in Science program will prepare you to enter the clinical laboratory as an entry level medical laboratory technician. Through classroom learning and clinical experiences, you will learn how to perform and report laboratory testing on blood and other body fluids in the various departments within the clinical laboratory – hematology, chemistry, microbiology and immunohematology (blood bank). You will be taught how to recognize and interpret normal and abnormal laboratory results, how to resolve abnormal results, and how to troubleshoot quality control and analyzer problems. You will also learn how to draw blood (phlebotomy).

Career Opportunities

Graduates can work in hospital settings, clinics and commercial medical laboratories. You can also specialize in one area of the laboratory. You also can transfer to pursue a bachelor degree. Upon completion of the program, you will seek certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Registry (ASCP-BOR).

Accreditation

The Medical Laboratory Technology Program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119, Phone: 773-714-8880.

Graduation Certification Rates (PDF)

Program Requirements

Starting in the fall of 2014, any student enrolled in an associate degree program who is new to NECC and has no academic history at the college, must take at least one course designated as intensive in each of NECC’s six core academic skills in order to graduate. In most cases, the program’s core required courses include these intensive courses. Plan to see an advisor for more complete information about this graduation requirement.

The Medical Laboratory Technology Program has additional admission requirements. See the Admission Criteria Packet below:

• 2016 Medical Laboratory Criteria Packet (PDF)
• 2016 Medical Laboratory Criteria Packet (for high school seniors only) (PDF)
• 2016 Medical Laboratory Technology Criteria Packet- College Applicants Advanced Standing (PDF)

Technical Standards

• Medical Laboratory Technology Technical Standards (PDF)

Students who attend the Medical Laboratory Technology Program through iHealth@NECC will complete most of their course work in online courses and come to our Lawrence campus one or two days a week for in-class meetings and laboratory sessions. The program is presented through a series of lecture, laboratory and hospital/clinic internship experiences.

Program science courses must be completed within five (5) years prior to the anticipated start date of the program to count towards completing an associate degree. In order to progress in the program, a grade of “C” or better is required in each Medical Laboratory course and in the sciences (Anatomy & Physiology I & II, and Microbiology). Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in order to graduate. A minimum of 70 credits are required for graduation.

Drug screening

Students enrolled in this academic program may be required to pass a drug screening analysis.

CPR

Students are required to be CPR Certified at the Health Care Provider/Professional Rescuer level prior to the start of clinical courses.

Health

Students are required to complete a health evaluation, including the Hepatitis B immunization series, prior to final acceptance in the Program.

Student Professional Liability Insurance

Students are required to carry professional liability insurance. The premium is to be paid at the time of course registration.

CORI/SORI/CHRI

Students interested in participating in this program may be required to undergo a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, a Criminal Records Central Repository (CHRI) check, and a Sex Offender Record Information (SORI) check. For more information, visit the CORI/SORI/CHRI page on the NECC website.

Northern Essex Community College is committed to the success of every student. Students with legal issues in their background will meet with a committee as part of the CORI/SORI/CHRI process and will receive guidance and counseling throughout the review of their records. NECC personnel make every effort to help students prepare for careers in their chosen field. Students are encouraged to seek assistance and support.

Handbook

Medical Laboratory Technology Student Handbook (PDF)

Required Courses

Electives Students must complete all electives

Program Notes

Recommended Course Sequence Medical Laboratory Technology Associate Degree

Year 1

Fall

Spring

Summer

Year 2

Fall

Spring

Summer