Become a Medical Lab Technician with Training from MGCCC
The Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) program prepares individuals to work in a medical laboratory under the supervision of a medical laboratory scientist or pathologist and/or other physicians. If you want to work in the healthcare field but without much direct patient contact, you may be a great fit for a career in MLT. Lab professionals work behind the scenes but contribute up to 70% of the information physicians use to make diagnostic decisions.
Program Overview
MGCCC’s Medical Laboratory Technology program prepares individuals to work in a medical laboratory under the supervision of a medical laboratory scientist or pathologist and/or other physicians. Included are routine laboratory procedures and tasks in the areas of hematology, bacteriology, immunohematology, chemistry, parasitology, immunology and urinalysis. This program is 22 months duration and is offered in affiliation with local hospitals. The clinical laboratories are recognized as extended campuses of the college. Graduates of this program will be awarded Associates of Applied Science Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology and are eligible to sit for national certification examinations.
The college is assisted and advised by a Medical Laboratory Technology Advisory Committee composed of pathologists, medical laboratory scientists and technicians, college administrators and instructors. The Medical Laboratory Technology – Associate Degree Program is nationally accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS). 5600 N. River Road Suite 720 Rosemont, IL. (773) 714-8880. Website: www.naacls.org
The MLT curriculum program at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College also includes a 30-hour technical certificate option. Graduates who successfully earn the technical certificate may qualify to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMLA) exam offered by the American Medical Technologist (AMT). Medical Lab Support Assistants play an essential role in healthcare. Assisting other medical laboratory professionals, they are responsible for sampling, testing, measuring, recording, and analyzing specimens in cooperation with the rest of the hospitals, clinics, corporate laboratories and other medical testing facilities. This certificate emphasizes laboratory entry-level skills to include safety standards, infection control, quality assurance, and healthcare communication.
What Students Learn
- How to draw blood
- Perform lab tests including:
- Complete blood count
- Blood typing
- Antibody screen
- Microbacteria culture
- Antibotic sensitivities
- Chemical and microscopic urinalysis
- Staining procedures for blood, body fluids, and bacteria
- Pipetting
- The theoretical basis behind these procedures including application
Career Opportunities
Students successfully completing this program are prepared for employment in hospitals, medical laboratories, clinics, and industry as medical laboratory technicians. The projected job growth from 2014-2024 is 18% for medical laboratory technicians.
- Achieve a minimum Accuplacer English Placement score (Traditional Exam = 175; Next Generation Exam = 502)
- Achieve a minimum Accuplacer Math Placement score (Traditional Exam = 53; Next Generation Exam = 231)
- Review the online mandatory Pre-School of Nursing and Health Professions Orientation Session prior to completing the supplemental application for program ranking. The session can be viewed anytime and anywhere you have access to the internet. The Power Point presentation gives you valuable information on topics common to all School of Nursing and Health Professions programs at MGCCC. Even without the ability to speak directly or interact immediately with a School of Nursing and Health Professions advisor, the session speaks to frequently asked questions from program entrance to completion. In order to receive credit for viewing the session, follow the steps below. The information is approximately one (1) hour in length.To complete this requirement do the following:
- Visit Web Services.
- Select Student.
- Select School of Nursing and Health Professions Supplemental Application Orientation Session.
- In order to receive credit, you must review the entire session.
- Click survey complete so that your log-in information will be recorded in the college’s BANNER system.
- Comply with Mississippi law requiring a Criminal Background History Check with Fingerprinting through the Mississippi Department of Health. All School of Nursing and Health Professions applicants are required to obtain a clear or acceptable Criminal Background Check from the MGCCC Campus Police at HC, JC, Perkinston or the George County Campus/Center. MGCCC’s Criminal Background Check Policy (including days and times) can be viewed at School of Nursing and Health Professions Criminal Background Check Policy.
- Have a minimum cumulative (GPA) of 2.5 on college work with no grade less than “C” on any Academic Core* courses in the current MLT curriculum. (Courses may be re-taken and highest score will be used)
- Complete pre-requisite courses Anatomy & Physiology I and College Algebra prior to making application.
* Academic Core courses include: ENG 1113, PSY 1513, MAT 1313, BIO 2514, CHE 1214 or 1314, SPT 1113, and Humanities/Fine Art Elective
MLT Program Cost List
Prior to Entering Program
Criminal Background Check $65 – $80 (MGCCC Campus Police)
Program Fees
- General MGCCC Tuition and Fees
- Career and Technical Program Fee $40 per credit hour
- Pre-admission Physical Exam, Immunizations and ImmuniTrax $200 – $300
- Books: Resource fees (books) $15 per credit hour for eBooks, Purchased books $500
- Substance Testing $29 -$35 per semester
- Liability Insurance $12 -$15 per semester
- Additional purchase items, supplies $50 – $100
- Uniform, Accessories $200 – $300
- Trajecsys Report System $100
- National Board Exam Application Fee $225 – $300
Cost may be subject to change
Apply to MGCCC
Ready to apply to MGCCC and start your profession in Medical Laboratory Technology?
Apply for the MLT Program