Degree: Associate in Applied Science
HEGIS Code: 5205
Curriculum Code: 2188
Campus Location: North
Health Sciences Division
Pre-Admission Recommendations: Math I, Math II, Chemistry (or equivalent), H.S. average of 80%
Recommended High School Courses and/or Experiences: Math III, Regents Chemistry, Regents Biology
Career Opportunities/Further Education: Medical Laboratories, Private Physicians’ Laboratory, Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Environmental Laboratories, and Research Laboratories
Program Description
Rapid advances in research will continue to increase both the number and the complexity of clinical laboratory tests performed. Federal regulations and New York State licensure now require more highly-trained personnel who must meet the minimum educational standard of the associate degree. Consequently, the demand for trained medical laboratory technicians has been rising and will continue to grow in both the local and national arenas.
The modern medical laboratory technologist applies knowledge from the physical and biological sciences to the detection and management of disease. The program to train medical laboratory technicians emphasizes development of laboratory skills and characteristics essential to the health care worker. The use of state-of-the-art equipment in the analysis of blood and body fluids, as well as computerized patient data entry systems, allows the students to gain the skills necessary to perform effectively on ASCP and NCA national certifying board examinations of the medical laboratory technology professional societies.
The Medical Laboratory Technology curriculum encompasses a concentration of medical technology courses along with courses in the liberal arts, social science, sciences and mathematics. Lectures in the medical laboratory area include studies in hematology, clinical chemistry, coagulation, analysis of urine and other body fluids, serology, blood banking and microbiology. Troubleshooting and quality control procedures are integrated into the program. College laboratories provide a simulated medical setting giving students the opportunity to analyze clinical specimens using manual and automated methodologies. In the lab courses, students will use computers for data retrieval, record updating and printing reports. During the senior year, students complete laboratory rotations at five affiliated clinical laboratories: Buffalo General Hospital, Veteran’s Administration Medical Center, Sister’s Hospital, South Buffalo Mercy Hospital, Roswell Park and the Erie County Public Health Laboratories. The students may perform clinical laboratory procedures at the affiliated hospitals under the direct supervision of laboratory technologists and may not perform service work during scheduled clinical sessions.
Upon successful program completion, graduates must apply to take the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) Board of Registry National Certification Examination. Graduates passing the ASCP examination will fulfill the requirements for licensure in New York State. Graduates of the MLT program perform consistently at or above the national average on ASCP Board examinations.
MLT graduates are employed as medical laboratory technicians in private, clinical, or hospital laboratories and research institutions. Alumni of the program have also found employment as phlebotomists and quality control technicians in the food industry in biological, pharmaceutical and chemical laboratories. Other graduates transfer to four-year institutions to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology, as well as other medical fields such as Nuclear Medicine, Nursing, Biology and Pre-Med.
Admission Requirements
Admission Criteria includes:
- High school graduate or GED
- Overall high school average of 80%within the last five years
- An 80% final grade in high school general biology and chemistry
- A minimum placement test result at the Math 125 and English 110 level
- A minimum college GPA of 2.5 within the last 10 years
- Completion of all required developmental English courses
- Completion of developmental math course 007 or 013
- Minimum completion of Biology 107 or 149 and Chemistry with a lab (CH 100/101 or CH 250/251) within the last 10 years
Progression
All developmental, pre-requisites, co-requisites and MLT courses may be repeated only once if a grade below “C” or “W” is received. MLT courses are integrated and sequenced in a specific manner to enable students to attain program competencies. All required courses must be passed each semester in order to advance to the following semester.
Any two failures (grade below a “C”) or withdrawal (W) in any of the required ML courses will result in dismissal from the Medical Laboratory Technology program. Because of the critical nature of the profession, deviations from professional conduct may adversely affect the patient’s well being. Therefore, the department reserves the right to immediately remove the student from didactic, laboratory and clinical course work and/or dismiss that student from the program if the department determines that the student has acted in an unprofessional manner or if the student is unable to provide safe laboratory practices.
Department Notes
- Lab coats must be worn and all safety protocol followed in all laboratory courses
- Students are responsible for providing transportation to off campus clinical sites utilized for clinical laboratory training
- Students must carry student liability insurance
Graduation Requirements
- Students must complete all MLT courses within a four-year limit
- Students must have achieved an overall QPA of 2.0
Graduates of the MLT Program are eligible to sit for the ASCP Board Examination/Licensing Examination. As needed, consultation with the New York State Education Department is suggested for details regarding the legal limitations to licensure in New York State.
Essential Functions
In order for the student to perform the essential functions of the clinical laboratory science profession, the following technical standards are required of students entering the MLT Associate in Applied Science degree program.
Vision:
The Medical Laboratory Technician student must be able to read charts and graphs, discriminate colors, read instrument scales, observe microscopic materials and record results.
Speech and Hearing:
The Medical Laboratory Technician student must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively and be able to share information with other members of the health care team.
Fine Motor Functions:
The Medical Laboratory Technician student must manifest all the skills which would enable sample collection, performance of diagnostic procedures on clinical samples and manipulation of instruments and equipment.
Psychological Stability:
The Medical Laboratory Technician student must demonstrate the emotional health required for full utilization of the applicant’s intellectual abilities. The student must be able to handle stress and take appropriate actions when emergency situations arise.
Accreditation
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) 8410 West Bryn Mawr Avenue Suite 670 Chicago, Illinois 60631 (773) 714-8880 http://www.naacls.org.
NAACLS Accreditation guidelines require that a procedure be established for determining that the applicant’s or student’s health will permit them to meet the technical standards of the program.
Health Science Report Form:
A pre-admission physical examination including an immunization report is required to be submitted, for any student in the Health Sciences Division, to ensure that matriculated students are in good physical and mental health and capable of completing the program requirements as well as providing immunization records. The immunization report strongly recommends that students entering the MLT program receive immunization against Hepatitis B. Students need to be tested annually for TB and should have a tetanus vaccination within the last 10 years. MLT students must be compliant with the college immunization requirements as well. The department requires that this specific health information be on file before students begin in core laboratory coursework. The immunization record is required to be current in order for the student to participate in clinical rotations. The college reserves the right to deny progression in the MLT program when students have incomplete or unacceptable physical exam reports.
Program Competencies
Upon graduation with an Associate in Applied Science degree in Medical Laboratory Technology, the graduate will be able to:
- Perform all of the routine tests in a modern clinical laboratory or research facility
- Identify direct causes of technical or instrumental problems and make appropriate corrections using preset strategies
- Collect and prepare human samples for analysis. Store and transport samples using appropriate preservation methods. Specimens may include blood, urine and other body fluids.
- Following prescribed procedures, perform routine analytical tests in chemistry, hematology/hemostasis, immunology, immunohematology and microbiology
- Calculate the results of tests performed if necessary
- Operate equipment or instruments necessary for routine analytical tests. Recognize instrument malfunction and take appropriate action.
- Prepare reagents and media according to prescribed procedures
- Perform, record and evaluate all quality control procedures required for the tests assayed
- Recognize abnormal or unusual test results and follow institutional procedures for reporting critical values
- Report results in writing, orally or by computer
- Perform and record routine instrument checks and maintenance procedures
- Observe established safety measures
- Maintain the work area in clean, orderly condition
- Participate in continuing education
- Perform related work as assigned
- Demonstrate behavior consistent with acceptable professional conduct standards such as appearance, quality of work, quantity of work, human relation skills, leadership skills, written and verbal communication skills
Scholarships:
- American Society of Clinical Laboratory Science
- American Society of Clinical Pathologists
(Additional scholarship information is on file in the MLT Department Office, room B 613, North Campus)
Curriculum
Total Degree Credits: 71.5
Students should be advised to successfully complete the following before matriculation into the department: CH 100/101 or HS Chemistry, BI 107 or HS Biology, Liberal Arts elective MT 006/007 or 013
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