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MLT (Medical Lab Technology)

Medical Laboratory Technology at NC

Name of Department: Medical Lab Technology

Name of Department Chair/Program Director: Evelyn Glass

Navarro College offers a two-year Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) program leading to an Associate in Applied Science degree. The MLT program includes both practical and theoretical experience in hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, parasitology, mycology, urinalysis, immunology, and immunohematology. Clinical courses included in the program provide hands-on experience in various hospital and clinic laboratories in the surrounding area. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certification exam for medical laboratory technician. Successful completion of exams allows graduates to practice as a Medical Laboratory Technician.

What is a Medical Lab Technician/Clinical Laboratory Technician?

Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLT’s) are vital healthcare detectives, uncovering and providing laboratory information from laboratory analysis that assist physicians in patient diagnosis and treatments, as well as in disease monitoring or prevention (maintenance of health). MLTs use sophisticated biomedical instrumentation and technology, computers, and methods requiring manual dexterity to perform laboratory testing on blood and body fluids. Laboratory testing encompasses such disciplines as clinical chemistry, hematology, immunology, immunohematology (blood bank), and microbiology. Accurate laboratory data is needed to aid in detecting cancer, heart attacks, diabetes, infectious mononucleosis, and identification of bacteria or viruses that cause infections, match blood for transfusions, as well as in detecting drugs of abuse.

The role of the MLT requires an understanding of scientific principles and theories, the ability to perform a wide variety of laboratory procedures with accuracy, the ability to analyze data for accuracy and the ability to detect and correct problems. In addition, MLTs consult with other members of the healthcare team. Medical laboratory technicians have an associate degree in Medical Laboratory Technology.

Program Approval and Accreditation

The Medical Laboratory Technology Program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) located at 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL, 60018. NAACLS phone number is (733) 714-8880. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the following national certification examinations for medical laboratory technicians: American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP), American Medical Technologist (AMT).

See which states this program meets licensure/certification requirements »

Effective September 1st 2017, HB 1508 amends the Texas Occupations Code Section 53 that requires education providers to notify you a potential or enrolled student that a criminal history may make you ineligible for an occupational license upon program completion.

The following website provides links to information about the licensing process and requirements. https://www.naacls.org/

Should you wish to request a review of the impact of criminal history on your potential MLT Certification prior to or during your quest for a degree, you can visit this link and request a “Criminal History Evaluation.” https://www.naacls.org/Students.aspx

This information is being provided to all persons who apply or enroll in the program with notice of the requirements as described above, regardless of whether or not the person has been convicted of a criminal offense.

Additionally, HB 1508 authorizes licensing agencies to require reimbursements when a student fails to receive the required notice.

Mission

The Navarro College Medical Laboratory Technology Program supports and subscribes to the purpose, mission and philosophy of Navarro College.

Our Quest

The Medical Laboratory Technology Program is dedicated to preparing students for successful careers as medical laboratory technicians, to providing hospitals, clinics, and patients with laboratory professionals who possess the competencies of the profession, and who use knowledge, truth and wisdom in the deliverance of patient care.

Our Vision

Through visionary leadership, outstanding teaching, and high quality services, the Navarro College Medical Laboratory Technology Program will serve the educational needs of the students by providing the skills required to perform laboratory procedures and a sound foundation of knowledge that will enable graduates to use critical thinking skills to make appropriate decisions in the collection, handling, and analysis of data so that accurate pathology of disease and diagnosis can be determined. The program will provide the educational background that will also allow graduates to succeed in a bachelor of science Medical Laboratory Science program and to play leadership roles in the field of laboratory medicine.

Our Purpose

The Navarro College Medical Laboratory Technology Program is dedicated to inspiring students to commit themselves to a high level of intellectual rigor and personal integrity. Students are encouraged to become acquainted with and to support professional organizations, to attend seminars and workshops and to adopt an attitude of continuous learning. The program serves a culturally diverse pool of students from the community, the rural service districts, adjoining urban areas, and the larger global community.

Philosophy

The Navarro College Medical Laboratory Technology Program is dedicated to providing the resources, support, and encouragement necessary for students to meet the entry level competencies of the profession.

The program considers the emotional needs of the student by providing a caring environment, and by advising students of college services that will better enable them to achieve their goals. Student professional standards are emphasized and evaluated. The Medical Laboratory Technology program is committed to maintaining its standards through self-appraisal, through input from laboratory professionals making up the Advisory Committee, employer and graduate evaluations, and through accreditation.

Goals

The goal of the Medical Laboratory Technology Program is to:

provide the students with qualities and competencies that insure success in the field of laboratory medicine as a medical laboratory technician
to provide the educational background that will allow students to continue their education and to pursue a degree in medical laboratory science (MLS)
to provide the community with qualified laboratory personnel that will enhance the health care system of the community