Medical Laboratory Technology, A.A.S.

Students must be accepted into the Medical Laboratory Technology program before they can register for MLAB courses. 

This degree path is designed for career entry.  Some four-year institutions may accept credits for transfer into a bachelor’s degree program.

Program Requirements - Students may be required to take additional Learning Support courses based on the the institutional placement process which extends the number of semesters required to complete the degree.  Courses cannot be used more than once to satisfy program requirements. 

*Biology and Math courses must have been completed no more than five years prior to the start of the program.

²Humanities/Fine Arts Requirement - Select from ART 1035, ART 2000, ART 2020, ENGL 2160, ENGL 2860, HUM 1010, HUM 1020, MUS 1030, PHIL 1030, PHIL 1040, PHIL 2200, THEA 1030. Literature Options: ENGL 2055, ENGL 2130, ENGL 2235, ENGL 2310, ENGL 2320.

Requirements for Graduation Include:

1. Earn 25% of total program credits in residence at Columbia State.
2. Earn a GPA of at least 2.0 in program courses.
3. Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
4. Take the Exit Exam required by Columbia State.

Students and advisors should run a degree audit using Degree Works in ChargerNet each semester to confirm classes are applicable to the program of study.

For more information contact:
Lisa Harmon, at lharmon4@columbiastate.edu or 931.540.2706
Health Sciences Division at HealthSciences@columbiastate.edu or 931.540.2599 or 931.540.2600
Detailed information is also available via www.columbiastate.edu/medlab

The Medical Laboratory Technician possesses the technical skills necessary to perform routine testing in the areas of hematology, serology, coagulation, clinical microbiology, clinical chemistry, blood banking, and urinalysis in clinical laboratories of hospitals, clinics, and physician offices under the supervision of a physician and/or medical technologist.

The medical laboratory technician has diverse and multi‐level functions in the areas of collecting, processing, and analyzing biological specimens and other substances, principles and methodologies, performance of assays, problem solving, troubleshooting techniques, significance of clinical procedures and results, principles, and practices of quality assessment, for all major areas practiced in the contemporary clinical laboratory.

Accreditation

The Columbia State MLT Program has been awarded continuing accreditation (10 years, April 19, 2024) with the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119, and phone (773)714-8880. The associate degree earned, along with the NAACLS certification of the Columbia State MLT Program, enables MLT graduates to qualify for testing with certifying bodies such as the American Society of Clinical Pathologists Board of Registry, resulting in the credentials of MLT (ASCP) and/or with the American Medical Technologist thus giving them an MLT (AMT).

Certificate to Operate

The Columbia State MLT Program has been granted an operating license to conduct and maintain a School for Training Medical laboratory Personnel in the Specialty of Medical Laboratory Technician from the Tennessee Medical Laboratory Board in Nashville, Tennessee. The Board is located at: Metro Center Complex, 665 Mainstream Drive, 2nd Floor, Nashville, TN 37243. (615) 532-1945.

Guidelines concerning program requirements, standards, and additional program information are available in the Medical Laboratory Technology Applicant Handbook located online at www.columbiastate.edu/medlab.

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Columbia State Community College MLT Program is to produce knowledgeable, competent, compassionate, professional Medical Laboratory Technicians.

Fulfillment of the MLT Programs Mission will be based on the following goals and outcomes based on student achievement.

Goal 1: Students will demonstrate knowledge consistent with the pathology of the field.

1.1 Students will recognize a pathology and the corresponding test results.
1.2 Students will communicate tests results to diverse healthcare team members.
1.3 Students will apply knowledge to laboratory skills required in a clinical setting.

Goal 2: Students will demonstrate competence in the field of Laboratory Medicine

2.1 Students will perform laboratory testing with precision and accuracy.
2.2 Students will perform practice lab competency testing with precision and accuracy.
2.3 Students will comply with safety and governmental regulations.
2.4 Students will possess basic entry-level skills of a Medical Laboratory Technician.

Goal 3: Students will emulate the professional standards of the laboratory field.

3.1 Students will abide by the ASCP Code of Professional Behavior.
3.2 Students will adhere to medical facility guidelines.
3.3 Students will adopt positive working attitudes aligned with facilities mission and goals.
3.4 Students will respond appropriately to healthcare team members.

Goal 4: Graduates will contribute to the needs of the Medical Laboratory field.

4.1 Admitted students will successfully complete the MLT Program.
4.2 Graduates will pass a nationally recognized laboratory exam resulting in certification.
4.3 Graduates will obtain employment as Medical Laboratory technicians.
4.4 Graduates will express satisfaction with the educational experience.
4.5 Employers will express satisfaction with graduates as entry-level MLT’s.

The MLT program mission and goals are consistent with the college’s mission and goals. Achievement of the goals is monitored annually via the Outcomes Assessment plan.

Admission Requirements

1. Meet all college general requirements for admission as a degree-seeking student (as stated in the catalog) and be admitted to the college.
2. See “Programs with Special Admissions Requirements,” in the college catalog.
3. Complete all required Learning Support courses by the end of the fall semester prior to the year in which admission is sought.
4. Have earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale for academic subjects. The high school GPA is used for students who have earned less than 12 college credit hours. An applicant who has not earned 12 credit hours of college level credit that has no high school GPA must have an average standard score of at least 450 on the GED^® or 45 on the HiSET^®.
5. Prospective students are encouraged to contact the program director to arrange an in-person or virtual meeting to discuss the Med Lab program and careers.  Open information sessions may be posted on the Med Lab program web site. Official program orientation/screening sessions are conducted on the first day of the MLAB 1301 Intro to Medical Laboratory class in January (Spring semester).  Only students who can complete all general education courses listed in the first two semesters of the curriculum outline by the end of the spring semester are permitted into the MLAB 1310 Practicum I course.  Students enrolled in MLAB 1301 will receive all paperwork, including the program application, and a full explanation of the program and profession.  Students will be selected from the MLAB 1301 course to begin the program and core MLAB classes summer semester.
6. All program application requirements must be completed before February 28. This includes the autobiography provided at orientation, the completed program application, and documentation of review of the MLT Applicant Handbook.
7. Before beginning the MLT program, all students are expected to have the following abilities upon which the program can build:
   1. Vision: Able to read and interpret charts, graphs, and labels: read and interpret instrument panels and printouts; discriminate colors, hue, shading or intensity and clarity; read microscopic material and record results.
   2. Speech and Hearing: Able to communicate effectively and sensitively to assess non-verbal communication; adequately and accurately transmit information; follow verbal or written communication; have clarity of speech especially if English is not one’s first language.
   3. Motor Functions: Possess all skills necessary to carry out diagnostic procedures; manipulate tools, instruments, and equipment, perform phlebotomy safely and accurately; travel to a clinical site for clinical experience.
   4. Behavioral Requirements: Possess the emotional health required for full utilization of applicant’s intellectual abilities; be able to recognize emergencies and take appropriate action.
   5. Physical Requirements: Able to complete fine repetitive hand movements; twist and bend; handle flammable and infectious materials; handle hazardous chemicals and electrical equipment; lift ten (10) pounds; maintain prolonged sitting or standing positions; maintain concentration with distracting noises and close proximity to fellow workers; tolerate unpleasant odors; work in buildings either above or below ground level; work in an environment without windows; perform keyboarding.
   6. Critical Thinking: Able to perform complex interpretative testing appropriately and accurately.
   7. Professionalism: Able to maintain a professional attitude and appearance as described in the MLT Student Manual.
8. In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, students are encouraged to register with the office of Counseling/Disability Services for assistance with requests for accommodations. It is the student’s responsibility to provide appropriate documentation voluntarily and confidentially regarding the nature and extent of a disability. Students requesting accommodation are (strongly) encouraged to contact the office of Counseling/Disability Services at the beginning of the semester. Students may contact the director of counseling at 931.540.2857.
9. Completed college credit for Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II, Microbiology, and the required college level math course (Elementary Statistics) must be within the past five years and have a grade of “C” or better to count toward the MLT degree or the course(s) must be repeated.

Completion of all items listed above establishes eligibility for consideration for admission into the MLT Program but does not imply or guarantee program admission.

Students who are admitted to the program are required to submit the following clinical access clearance items before the first day of clinical assignment.  If the documentation is not completed prior to the first day of clinical assignment, students will not be permitted to attend clinical practicum.

1. Health Requirements: All MLT students must submit evidence of good health by returning a completed Physical Examination form. Forms are given to the student upon acceptance into the program. All students must have a:
   1. Documented negative TB skin test and/or chest x-ray yearly. TB skin tests must be within three months of the start of the program.
   2. Evidence/documentation for: (Vaccine or titer based on clinical partner requirements)
      1. Rubella
      2. Varicella zoster (chicken pox)
      3. Rubeola titer
      4. Tetanus/diphtheria booster within the past ten years.
      5. Hepatitis B
      6. Seasonal current Influenza immunization
      7. Any other immunization required by clinical partners (or faculty approved exemption, if offered).
2. CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) Requirements: All admitted students must submit evidence of current BLS (Basic Life Support) certification. This certification must include on-ground/live competency components, 100% online is not acceptable.  At a minimum, the training course must comply with American Heart Association (AHA) standards. Inclusion of two-person CPR and AED (Automatic Electronic Defibrillator) use is required. AHA HeartCode^® blended learning with skills evaluation by an AHA Instructor is acceptable.  BLS classes are available through numerous providers and are periodically offered by Columbia State through the Workforce and Continuing Education office. Certification must be maintained continuously for the duration of enrollment.
3. Malpractice insurance is required for all MLT clinical practicum courses. A group policy is available.  The fee is assessed annually as a part of the registration fees.
4. Health insurance is required. Students must provide evidence of health insurance coverage before clinical assignments may begin.
5. Criminal background checks and routine drug screens are required at most affiliated clinical training sites as a condition of participation in clinical education. Based on the results of these tests, an affiliated clinical site may determine to not allow your presence at their facility. This could result in the inability to successfully complete the requirements of a specific course and the program. More information is available from the program director.
6. Attend an educational session related to the benefits of the Hepatitis B vaccine and, if not already immunized, complete the vaccination series.  Students must provide results of a titer documenting levels of HepB immunity to program or institutional officials.

Admissions Procedures

1. Submit the following to the Admissions office.
   1. Completed Application for Admission to the College.
   2. Official college transcripts from all colleges previously attended.
   3. High school transcripts or High School Equivalency Diploma - HSE (GED^® or HiSET^®).
   4. ACT or SAT exam results or appropriate testing scores/learning support.
2. Attend the Introduction to Medical Laboratory class orientation.
3. Submit completed program application forms received at the preliminary interview/orientation.
4. If an applicant does not meet the admission criteria, he/she will be notified in writing. If the applicant wishes to complete his/her file and application to establish eligibility for consideration the following year, remaining requirements must be submitted, and the program director must be notified of the intent in writing.

Continuation Requirements

To continue in the MLAB Program, students must meet the following academic requirements:

1. Earn a “C” or higher in each MLAB course and each required math and science course.
2. Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 after admission and prior to enrollment as well as during each term of enrollment in the program.
3. Maintain professional conduct as outlined in the MLT Student Policy Manual.
4. Enroll in all required general education courses during (or before) the semester listed in the curriculum outline.
5. Submit annual TB skin test results to the Health Sciences Records Clerk’s office in the William R. Walter Bldg. on the Columbia campus.
6. Maintain evidence of uninterrupted medical insurance coverage in designated program/institutional offices.

Any student who does not meet the continuation requirements is academically ineligible to continue in the Medical Laboratory Technology Program.  Exiting the MLAB program does not prevent a student from continuing other courses at the college but does prohibit registration for MLAB courses.

Academic Advising

Although educational decisions are primarily the student’s responsibility, academic advising is important for helping every student make the best possible course choices.  Faculty are available to students and maintain regular office hours for consultation and advising.  Students are assigned an advisor by mid-term of the first semester of enrollment.  Students have access to the What-If Analysis in Degree Works.  The audit indicates the courses remaining toward degrees or certificates.