Medical Laboratory Technology

Employment as a Medical Laboratory Technician

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 little 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 Web sites at www.ascls.org and www.ascp.org/bor.

Overview of the WVC Medical Laboratory Technology Program

Wenatchee Valley College offers two routes by which a student may obtain an associate of technical sciences degree in medical laboratory technology (MLT). Training is available (1) on the main campus in Wenatchee, or (2) in the regional areas for distant students. Both routes are accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Students may contacts NAACLS directly at http://www.naacls.org/

The WVC Medical Laboratory Technology Program is a limited enrollment program, which means that only a limited number of students will be accepted each year. 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.

Acceptance into the MLT Program: For those who have all of the courses completed, as listed in the suggested course sequence for fall, winter and spring of the first year, acceptance takes place near the start of each quarter, but the last opportunity for acceptance occurs each year during spring quarter.

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, Columbia Basin College, 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.

However, all students training in the Okanogan and Moses Lake areas 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. (See individual regional program course sequence.)

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. See specific BBCC page which follows.)

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).

For more information about the MLT program contact Amy Olson, Educational Planner, at (509) 682-6844.

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