Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT)

Associate Degree Program (358P) - Harrisburg

A medical laboratory technician searches for basic clues to the absence, presence, extent, and causes of diseases. This skilled individual is responsible for performing laboratory tests efficiently and accurately for high-quality patient care.

Great brochure about the career from www.ASCP.org

About the Program - curriculum and costs
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (pdf)

Admission Criteria and Essential Qualifications (pdf)

Program Accreditation
Who to Contact

Description of Occupation - Medical laboratory technicians have the technical expertise necessary to perform a wide variety of routine and specialized tests on patient specimens to help the physician in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. The medical laboratory technician must be able to read charts and graphs, discriminate colors, read instrument scales, observe microscopic cells and organisms, and record results with accuracy and detail; communicate effectively and sensitively in order to elicit information; assess non-verbal communication and be able to transmit the information to all members of the health care team; manifest all of the skills necessary to carry out diagnostic procedures, manipulate instruments and equipment; perform phlebotomy safely and accurately; demonstrate the emotional health required for full utilization of their intellectual abilities; and be able to recognize emergency situations and troubleshoot when problems occur or results don’t make sense, and be able to take the appropriate action. Medical lab technicians may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens and potentially hazardous materials.

Medical laboratory technicians are vital members of the health care team and play an important role in the collecting of information necessary to care for the ill or injured patient. Laboratory work frequently deals with life and death situations; therefore, the medical laboratory technician must demonstrate the qualities of accuracy, dependability, responsibility, dedication, and self-motivation.

Places of Employment and Outlook - There are more jobs for laboratory personnel than qualified individuals to fill the positions. Future long-term employment looks bright. Medical laboratory technicians are employed by acute care facilities, large physicians' office practices, independent laboratories including research, business and industry, and veterinary offices.

Salary Ranges for Geographical Area - $35,800 median salary in Pennsylvania 2007

Educational Advancement - The program is designed to lead directly to an occupation. Some graduates may pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in biology or chemistry and later obtain a master's degree in a related field of study in order to go into research, teaching or management. Franklin University offers a BS in Healthcare Management and Shippensburg University offers a BS in Healthcare Administration. Immaculata University offers an accelerated BA in Health Care Management (classes in accelerated format and held at HACC's Lancaster Campus).