Phlebotomy, Medical Lab Assistant (MLA) and Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) are excellent ways to start your career in healthcare!聽 These programs are also a great way to start your education if you are headed to medical school, especially pathology.
- Phlebotomy: Phlebotomists are a vital part of the healthcare team. Every test starts with the sample collection. Phlebotomists draw blood according to policy and procedures to ensure a good sample, every time. They work closely with the medical laboratory team as well as other healthcare departments such as nursing, surgery, and clinical staff in outpatient settings. Phlebotomy is a great way to get introduced to many areas within a hospital and outpatient setting while gaining patient bedside experience.
- 9 credit Certificate. Completed in one semester: two 8-week sessions including an internship.
- No pre-program requirements, just enroll in the courses in correct sequence, as indicated on the program guide.
- Start working as a phlebotomist in as little as 10 weeks after starting the program.
- Medical Lab Assistant (MLA): Medical laboratory assistants work closely with the phlebotomy and laboratory technicians and scientists. The MLA processes samples and prepares them for testing. MLAs may also perform simple to perform screening tests and quality control as well. MLAs communicate with members of the healthcare team outside of the laboratory, such as physicians and nurses, to order tests and problem solve.
- 13 Credit Certificate. Earn your MLA in two semesters. Phlebotomy certificate completed the first semester and MLA the second semester.
- Three of the courses on the MLA program guide will count towards your MLT degree, so if you complete MLT later, you will have less courses to take.
- MLA courses (1610 and 1612) are completed in one semester and include a three-week clinician practicum.
- Earn your Associates of Science as a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT): MLTs perform complex laboratory testing and apply clinical theory and critical thinking to ensure the accuracy of laboratory results on blood and other body fluid samples. The results provided by the MLT aid physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. After graduation, you can work in a clinical hospital laboratory, or a related field such as research or a reference laboratory. MLT is a great way to gain laboratory skills if you are interested in pre-med or research.
- 67 credit AAS degree. Program starts Fall semester only.
- Complete pre-program requirements plus 3 semesters of program coursework and one semester of clinical internship.
- Sit for the MLT board exam upon graduation. Our program has maintained a 100% pass rate on the ASCP BOC exam for the past 10 years.
- Job placement is 100% for MLT student graduating from 91涩漫 for the past 5 years. Most students get hired where they complete their clinical internship.
- Earn your Bachelor of Science as a Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS): MLS perform testing similar to MLT but often will perform more complex testing as well as work in leadership roles. MLS often specializes in specific areas of the laboratory such as microbiology, immunohematology, chemistry or hematology.
- After earning your MLT degree, complete the online MLS program through transfer to SCSU or other online MLT to MLS program.
- MLS base pay is $7-9 more per hour than MLT
- MLS qualify for specialist roles in the lab as well as supervisor positions.
- First step in advancing their careers in the laboratory or related fields.
- If you already have a bachelor鈥檚 degree, you are eligible to sit for the MLS board exam after working as an MLT for one year! See MLS route 2
Many scholarship opportunities available including 91涩漫s own $500 MLT scholarship (2nd year students only), Education to Employment Opportunities, education reimbursement for those working 24hrs/week at most local hospitals, Work study available for most students.
Want more information on career laddering in the medical laboratory field?
Contact your advisor in Student Services or:
Crystal Schmidt, Laboratory Programs Director
