2022-2023 College Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 College Catalog

Medical Laboratory Technician Certificate of Achievement


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Degrees, Certificates, and Awards in Alphabetical Order

The Medical Laboratory Technician program prepares students for employment as an 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.

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.

PROGRAM ADMISSION PREREQUISITES 16-18 UNITS:

Course ID Title Units
BIO 15  * General Microbiology 5
BIO 113   Human Anatomy and Physiology 4
CHEM 108   Introduction to General, Organic, and Biochemistry 4
Required Courses:  
MLT 210   Introduction to the Clinical Laboratory Profession 1
MLT 211  * Basic Laboratory Procedures 1
PHLB 240  * and Phlebotomy 4
CWE 180  * Co-Op-Ed Phlebotomist 2
MLT 230  * Clinical Chemistry 5
MLT 232  * Clinical Microbiology 3
MLT 235  * Clinical Urinalysis 1
MLT 236  * Clinical Hematology and Coagulation 3
MLT 243  * Clinical Immunology - Immunohematology 3
MLT 242  * Clinical Chemistry Practicum 4
MLT 244  * Clinical Hematology, Coagulation, and Urinalysis Practicum 4
MLT 252  * Clinical Microbiology Practicum 4
MLT 253  * Clinical Immunology - Immunohematology Practicum 3

TOTAL UNITS FOR THE CERTIFICATE:


51

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

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Degrees, Certificates, and Awards in Alphabetical Order