Many opportunities await those choosing careers in medicine and science. One of the most rewarding is medical laboratory technology. As members of the medical team, technicians work side by side with medical technologists and pathologists and have relatively less contact with patients. Medical laboratory technicians (MLTs) perform a great variety of scientific laboratory procedures, utilizing automated computerized instrumentation, all of which aid in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of disease.
In addition to employment in medical laboratories, graduates pursue positions in research, molecular biology, industry and veterinary laboratories, as well as medical supply and equipment sales. For additional descriptive information visit the following two national websites at www.ascls.org and www.ascp.org/bor. To explore occupations and find related career information go to www.mynextmove.gov.
The MLT program can be completed in Wenatchee or through our regional partnerships. There is also an option available to students who have previously completed a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science in the physical, chemical or biological sciences. Please use the navigation pane on the left for additional information.
Accreditation
The program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS- www.naacls.org/) 5600 N. River Rd. Suite 720 Rosemont, IL 60018-5119, 1-847-939-3597.
During the second year, courses MLT 213, 223, 233 and their associated laboratory courses (MLT 214, 224 and 234) are taught by the use of interactive TV classrooms, laboratory or audiovisual materials. (Moses Lake area students must spend additional quarters on the Wenatchee campus. Please contact Patrick Tracy, WVC Medical Lab Technology Program Director, at 509.682.6678 for further details.)
All students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 (“C” or better) in all specified program courses.
As a result of completing the MLT program, students obtain a background in general college courses and the sciences, and they develop the important technical skills required for medical laboratory employment. After graduation students are encouraged to take one of the national certification examinations, which is required by most medical laboratory employers (ASCP/BOR or NCA exams).
MLT Program Statistics
85% of WVC MLT graduates pass the ASCP board exam on the first attempt
95% of our students graduate from the program.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Faculty in the Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program have a responsibility for the welfare of the patients treated or otherwise affected by students enrolled in the MLT Program, as well as for the welfare of students in the program. In order to fulfill this responsibility, the MLT faculty and Advisory Committee established minimum Essential Functions that must be met with or without reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the program and graduate. For more information about Essential Functions, click here.
The WVC Medical Laboratory Technology Program is a limited enrollment program.The number of students accepted each year is dependent on the number of clinical sites available. The program is usually completed in eight academic quarters (two calendar years). Depending on the educational background of the entering student, fewer quarters may be required. All students are considered for admission.
During the preparatory first three quarters of the first year, the typical MLT student takes general education courses and specialized medical laboratory courses designed to provide a solid base for the second year of on-the-job training.
Students spend the second year in medical laboratory facilities that have agreed to be training centers, while simultaneously taking theoretical supporting courses. Travel to distant training facilities may be required, and work on a variety of shifts may be necessary; therefore, the use of an automobile is required.
The WVC Regional Program includes training at distant sites through agreements with Wenatchee Valley College at Omak, Big Bend Community College, the Community Colleges of Spokane,Walla Walla Community College and others. As long as current clinical training agreements continue, most regional MLT students are not required to spend any time training in Wenatchee. They can complete the entire program in their own community with the exception of students training in the Okanogan and Moses Lake areas. These students are required to do some of their training in Wenatchee. These students must take the first six-week summer quarter courses in Wenatchee (MLT 150 and 151), and other weeks in the second year as required by the respective programs. Moses Lake students are also required to attend WVC on Mondays and Tuesdays during their second year of the program.
Many opportunities await those choosing careers in medicine and science. One of the most rewarding is medical laboratory technology. As members of the medical team, technicians work side by side with medical technologists and pathologists and have relatively less contact with patients. Medical laboratory technicians (MLTs) perform a great variety of scientific laboratory procedures, utilizing automated computerized instrumentation, all of which aid in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of disease.