The Clinical Lab Technician performs laboratory procedures designed to assist physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. These procedures include physical, chemical or microscopic analyses of body fluids and tissues. Proficiency in these skills is achieved through practice in College laboratories and affiliated clinical laboratories in the community.

Training includes both manual and automated experiences. High school courses in biology, chemistry and mathematics are strongly recommended for those planning to enter this program. Students satisfactorily completing this program may choose to transfer to earn a baccalaureate degree in medical technology or biological sciences. 

This program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. (NAACLS, 5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720, Rosemont, IL  60018)

The number of students in the program is limited on the basis of clinical facilities available. Upon completion of this program, the graduate is eligible to take the New York state examination for certification as a Clinical Laboratory Technician and national board examinations. Graduation from the Clinical Lab Technician program does not guarantee admittance to the state certifying examination.  Individuals who have prior convictions, felony or misdemeanor, exclusive of parking violations, are advised to contact the New York State Board of Clinical Laboratory Technology for advice on legal limitations for certification.

The Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree is awarded upon completion of the requirements for this program.

Students who successfully complete the A.A.S. degree in Clinical Lab Technician will be prepared to:

• Collect, process and analyze biological specimens and other substances;

• Perform analytical tests of body fluids, cells and other substances;

• Recognize factors that affect procedures and results, and take appropriate actions within predetermined limits when corrections are indicated;

• Monitor quality control within predetermined limits;

• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance of equipment and instruments or refer to appropriate sources for repairs;

• Apply principles of safety;

• Demonstrate professional conduct and interpersonal communication skills with patients, laboratory personnel, other health care professionals, and the public; 

• Recognize the responsibilities of other laboratory and health care personnel and interact with them with respect for their jobs and patient care; 

• Apply basic scientific principles in learning new techniques and procedures;

• Relate laboratory findings to common disease processes;

• Recognize and act upon individual needs for continuing education as a function of growth and maintenance of professional competence.

Courses should be selected in consultation with an advisor.  

Students who experience a break of more than three semesters between their first MLT course and MLT 207/208 may need to repeat one or more MLT courses or take qualifying examinations. Contact the program chairperson.

Program Outcomes

 

First Semester

Course No.	Descriptive Title	Credit Hours
AHS 100	Allied Health Introductory Seminar	1
BIO 105	General Biology I	4
CHE 121	General Chemistry I	4
MAT 118	Elementary Statistics	3
MLT 105	Clinical Hematology	4
TOTAL		16

Second Semester

Course No.	Descriptive Title	Credit Hours
BIO 106	General Biology II (a)	4
ENG 101	Composition I	3
CHE 122	General Chemistry II (a)	4
CIS 111	Computer Systems and Applications	3
MLT 101	Clinical Microbiology (a)	4
TOTAL		18

Third Semester

Course No.	Descriptive Title	Credit Hours
BHS 103	Social Problems in Today's World	3
ENG 102	Composition II	3
MLT 106	Immunohematology/Serology (a)	3
MLT 202	Parasitology/Body Fluids (a)	3
MLT 203	Clinical Chemistry (a)	4
TOTAL		16

Fourth Semester

Course No.	Descriptive Title	Credit Hours
MLT 204	Clinical Chemistry II (a)	3
MLT 207	Externship I (a) (c)	4
MLT 208	Externship II (a) (c)	4
Free Elective (b)		3-4
TOTAL		14-15
	TOTAL CREDIT HOURS	64-65

a. A grade of C or better in a previous course is required. See course description for details.

b. Read a full discussion of the free elective requirement. The subject area for Clinical Lab Technician includes all courses labeled MLT, BIO, CHE.

c. Criminal background checks and drug screens are required for clinical placement.