The Medical Laboratory Technician program prepares students for employment as an MLT working in a clinical medical laboratory. Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLT) perform a wide variety of routine laboratory procedures and work in both public and private laboratories serving the health care sector.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
The MLT program is a two-year curriculum leading to the Associates in Science degree in Medical Laboratory Technician. Completion of pre-requisite courses will be required prior to entering the program. The program course of study is a combination of instruction in principles of laboratory theory and techniques as well as clinical experience at affiliated medical laboratories. Students learn to perform routine laboratory procedures in phlebotomy, microbiology, clinical chemistry, hematology, coagulation, immunology, and urinalysis. They also will learn to operate and maintain clinical laboratory equipment.
Graduates of the program qualify for state licensure examination administered by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) Board of Certification to become state licensed medical laboratory technicians. Once licensed, MLTs can work in both private and public diagnostic laboratories, forensic labs, veterinary labs, and biomedical research laboratories.
MLT PROGRAM INFORMATION
Information Sessions
There are no information sessions at this time.
For more information, please email the MLT Program Assistant.
Program Resources
- MLT Road Map (must be taken in sequence) - Revised April 2021
- MLT Tuition & Fees
- MLT Program Handbook
- Medical Lab Technician Associates Degree Catalog Description & Information
- Medical Lab Technician Certificate of Achievement Catalog Description & Information
STARTING THE MEDICAL LAB TECH PROGRAM
- Apply to and be admitted into Saddleback College - Apply here.
- Students must have earned at least a High School Diploma (must be 18 years or older) or a GED may apply to this program.
- It is strongly recommended that students schedule an appointment to speak with a Paris Peck in the Counseling Office before enrolling in the MLT program. To do so, visit the Counseling website at https://www.saddleback.edu/counseling.
- Students may enroll in the prerequisite courses, semester 1, and semester 2 MLT courses without applying for the program.
- Students must complete the online MLT Student Application prior to Semester 3, before beginning the clinical training experience.
The application window for Fall 2022 is now CLOSED.
Our next application widow will be held in May 2023.
Check back for specific dates.
APPLYING TO THE MLT PROGRAM
- Applications are accepted once a year for Fall entry into the MLT program.
- Students must use the Submittable MLT Application link to set up an account and apply. The link will be active during the application window. You will receive most of the program-related communications from the Saddleback Submittable account so once you have applied, check emails regularly.
- Students enrolled in the MLT 242 and MLT 244 courses are required to obtain the following clearances before participation in the Clinical Training Experience:
- Mandatory Health Assessment Requirements
- Physical Advisory Statement and Instructions
- Back Ground Check / Drug Screening order instructions
- Professional Behaviors Release
- Liability Insurance - HPSO
- FERPA Release
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Card:
- Must be through the American Heart Association (No other Providers).
- We offer the class at Saddleback College titled HSC 222- Basic Life Support/CPR for Health Care Providers.
- You may also take it at a 3rd party site. We suggest http://www.lifelinecpr.com/.
- Copy of your current Medical Insurance Card
- See the Clinical Practicum Requirements page for details.
STUDENTS WITH PRIOR COURSEWORK
Prior Degree/Coursework
- Coursework from a prior accredited school may be considered for course substitution through the petition process.
- Students wishing to submit a petition can schedule an appointment with the Counseling Office to discuss specific questions and educational goals.
- To do so, visit the Counseling website at https://www.saddleback.edu/counseling
Foreign Transcripts/Coursework
- Students with foreign transcripts will need to have the transcripts evaluated and translated by NACES (http://www.naces.org/members.html).
- It is recommended that you make an appointment with a Saddleback Counselor who will help determine if your classes fulfill the prerequisites for the MLT Program.
- All official NACES- evaluated transcripts must be submitted to the Saddleback College Office of Admissions and Records upon application.
IMPORTANT LINKS
Medical Lab Technician Certification
Visit these websites to learn about eligibility requirements for each credential, as well as important information about the exam process.
- ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) - This website outlines eligibility requirements for each credential, as well as important information about the exam process.
- California Department of Public Health/Laboratory Services - CDPH has approved the following certifying organizations for the medical laboratory technician licensure examination:
- American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB) certification for medical laboratory technician is approved by the Department for medical laboratory technician licensure as of January 1, 2003.
- American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certification for medical laboratory technician is approved by the Department for medical laboratory technician licensure as of June 1, 2003.
NOTE: Applicants who are certified before the above dates must re-take the certifying examination.
Labor Market Information
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual national wage for clinical laboratory technicians was $57,800 in May 2021. For wage data, the median wage is the wage in the middle, where half of the workers earned below this level, and half earn above this level. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $30,280, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $79,340.
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292010.htm
California Labor Market Information
In California, the annual mean wage for clinical laboratory technicians is $68,450. This wage estimate is calculated with data collected from employers in metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas in California.
ttps://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ca.htm
Professional Organizations
Student membership in one or more of these associations is encouraged to enhance your professional and personal growth.
ASCP- American Society of Clinical Pathologists. Upon certification, registrants retain "lifetime" certification through a Certification Maintenance Program (CMP). Registrants may become members and obtain the Journal LABMEDICINE™. Student membership is available and offers free registration in most education workshops.
www.ascp.org
ASCLS-The American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science is the national professional society dedicated to representing the profession of Medical Technology through improvement of the status of its members; promoting programs of continuing education; research and development; and advancing the ideals of Medical Technology. Membership provides a subscription to the Journal CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE.
www.ascls.org
AMT- The American Medical Technologists is a professional society for health professionals. Students may join at a reduced rate and are entitled to receive the official publication of AMT, and AMT events. https://americanmedtech.org/
FACULTY & STAFF
Hency Chu, PhD, MLS
Program Director
Christina Williams MHA, H (ASCP)
Associate Faculty
Thy Nguyen, MLS (ASCP)
Associate Faculty
Laura Rutman
MLT Program Assistant
949-582-4701