Program Overview
The Medical Laboratory Technician program offered by the Alexandria Technical College is a 72-credit program. While at the college, students learn the techniques and theories necessary to work in a medical or clinical laboratory. These techniques emphasize skills in phlebotomy, body fluid analysis, hematology, chemistry, microbiology, immunology, immunohematology and molecular diagnostics. Students also learn the theories and principles behind the tests they perform and learn to correlate the results with patients’ conditions. In addition, students earn credits in general education, including anatomy and physiology, psychology, communications, chemistry and computer science, which lead to an AAS degree.
Upon satisfactory completion of the classroom training at the college, each student is assigned to an affiliating hospital for 21 credits of clinical experience. During this period the student is under direct supervision of a registered medical technologist and receives periodic supervision from the college’s Medical Laboratory Technician training staff. Graduates of the MLT program are eligible to take the examinations given by the National Certification Agency for Medical Laboratory Personnel and the Board of Registry Examination of the American Society for Clinical Pathology.
MLT graduates who pass the NCA and/or ASCP Board of Registry exam may have up to 49 semester credits applied to a major in Clinical Laboratory Science (Medical Technology) at the University of North Dakota at Grand Forks. Other universities also accept MLT credits toward a baccalaureate degree in clinical lab science.
The MLT program is accredited by National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), the accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education, and the Commission on Recognition of Post-Secondary Accreditation (CORPA). Questions regarding program accreditation may be directed to NAACLS, 5600 N River Rd, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018 or by calling 773-714-8880.
Qualifications
Persons interested in the Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program should be ranked in the upper half of their graduating class; experience in chemistry, algebra and biology is also recommended. Information regarding Hepatitis B vaccine is given to each accepted student prior to admission. Due to Minnesota legislative mandate, students are subjected to a criminal background check prior to placement in any clinical facility. Students found to have criminal backgrounds are ineligible to participate in clinical rotations and, thus, not eligible for graduation. The traits necessary for successful completion of the program are outlined in the functional expectations document. This is sent to interested persons.