2019-2020 Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Medical Laboratory Technician Associate of Science


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The Medical Laboratory Technician Associate of Science program prepares students for employment as a MLT working in a clinical medical laboratory. Medical laboratory technicians (MLTs) perform a wide variety of routine laboratory procedures and work in both public and private laboratories serving the health care sector.  Completion of prerequisite 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, immunohematology, and urinalysis. They also will learn to operate and maintain clinical laboratory equipment.

Graduates of the program qualify for State of California/ Department of Public Health, Laboratory Field Services-approved MLT certification examinations sponsored by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) Board of Certification or by the American Association of Bioanalysts (ABB) Board of Registry to become California licensed medical laboratory technicians.

Completion of the following courses with a grade of “C” or better is required prior to submission of an application to the MLT Program: BIO 15 Microbiology, BIO 113 Human Anatomy and Physiology, CHEM 108 Introduction to General, Organic, and Biochemistry, and MATH 205 Math for the Associate Degree or Math 253 Intermediate Algebra.

Successful completion of courses will require that a grade of “C” or better be achieved. When a student fails to achieve a “C” or better in any course, the student will be given the opportunity to repeat the failed course once on a space available basis. If a student receives a second grade of less than a “C” in any Medical Laboratory Technology course, that student will be dropped from the Medical Laboratory Technology Program and will not be eligible for re-entry into the Saddleback College Medical Laboratory Technology program. A student may not enter Clinical Experience until all courses are completed with a grade of “C” or better.

Program Student Learning Outcomes


Students who complete this program will be able to:

  • Perform analytical testing in various areas of the clinical laboratory including clinical chemistry, microbiology, hematology, immunology, immunohematology, coagulation, and urinalysis, and related areas.
  • Practice established safety procedures and communicate effectively and professionally with patients, laboratory personnel, and other members of the health care team.
  • Participate in continuing education activities to maintain and improve professional competencies within the community as defined by the California Laboratory Field Services.
  • Demonstrate preparation for applicable State of California approved certification exam.

Total Units for the Major: 54-56


*Course has a prerequisite, corequisite, limitation, or recommended preparation; see course description.

Associate of Science Degree


Complete a minimum of 60 units including the total number of units described above and the General Education requirements with an overall GPA of 2.0 to qualify for the Associate of Science degree. A minimum of 12 units must be completed at Saddleback College.

General Education Requirements for Associate Degrees


Refer to the Graduation Requirements  or to the CSU-GE and IGETC patterns in this catalog for specific courses which meet general education requirements. Refer to ASSIST.org and to the transfer institution’s catalog for transfer requirements.

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