General Description of the Program
The Medical Laboratory Technology Training program prepares students for employment in clinical laboratories, industry, and biotechnology as a Medical Laboratory Technician, Laboratory Assistant, or Research Technician/Associate. The entire program is designed for students to master the competencies, skills, and knowledge required in this profession. The curriculum prepares individuals to perform clinical laboratory tests and procedures in chemistry and urinalysis, hematology, microbiology and immunology. These procedures may be used to provide essential assessment of health, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
Coursework emphasizes mathematical and scientific concepts related to:
- Specimen collection
- Laboratory testing and procedures
- Quality assurance and quality control
- Reporting/recording and interpreting findings involving tissues, blood, and body fluids
The program recognizes the importance of professional standards and ethical obligations critical to health care professions. Development of professional competence, personal growth and effective patient care are integrated into each part of the curriculum.
The MLTT program has recently been awarded initial accreditation for 2 years by NAACLS (National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences) effective September 2015. It is also approved by the California Department of Public Health Laboratory Field services (LFS approval number ML007) effective September 1, 2010. This allows recent graduates who started the program in the Fall 2013 and beyond to sit for a national certification exam and become licensed both nationally and in the state of California. For MLT graduates who started the program earlier than Fall 2013, they can take the state exam for California licensure.
For more information about the program, please consult the student handbook.
What kind of work can I do as a certified MLT?
Below is a description of what procedures medical laboratory technicians can legally do according to the California Business and Professions Code Section 1260-1275.
- Medical Laboratory Technician Scope of Practice:
- (b) A licensed medical laboratory technician may perform clinical laboratory tests or examinations classified as waived or of moderate complexity under CLIA, and may report the test results. However, a licensed medical laboratory technician shall not perform microscopic analysis or immunohematology procedures. The medical laboratory technician shall work under the supervision of a licensed physician and surgeon or a baccalaureate, masters, or doctoral level person licensed pursuant to this chapter. The supervision shall be required during the entire time a medical laboratory technician performs clinical laboratory tests or examinations.
What happens after I earn my certificate?
Graduates of the Medical Laboratory Technician Program may be eligible to take examinations given by the Board of Registry of Medical Technologists of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) or the American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB) to obtain a California License through Laboratory Field Services Personnel Licensing of the California Department of Public Health. Employment opportunities for both licensed and unlicensed MLT graduates include clinical laboratories in hospitals, physician's offices, industry laboratories and research facilities. MLT’s in San Diego area earn between $ 49,973 and $72,381 according to salary.com.
Program Outcome | San Diego Miramar College (sdmiramar.edu)
Current Director: Charles Vasquez CLS email cvasquez@sdccd.edu