As a component of the profession of Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLT) are health-care professionals skilled in the performance of laboratory procedures, which aid in the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and maintenance of the health of the patient. They perform a variety of procedures using intricate and sophisticated instrumentation. As a component of the profession of Medical Laboratory Technicians [also known as Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS)], MLTs are vital members of the health-care team and contribute significantly to the delivery of quality health care. With the influx of new laboratory procedures, knowledge, and instrumentation, there is an increasing need for MLTs. The student contemplating the profession should possess such personal attributes as interest in the sciences, self-motivation, dedication, discipline, a strong desire to help people, and must have high moral, academic and ethical standards. Technical standards include manual dexterity and visual acuity (normal color vision).
The Medical Laboratory Technician program is a two-year program fully accredited by:
National Accrediting Agency of CLS
5600 N. River Rd., Suite #720
Rosemont, IL 60018
Phone: 773-714-8880
Fax: 773-714-8886
The program prepares students for employment as technicians in hospital laboratories, physicians’ offices, and other types of clinical laboratory facilities. The curriculum is designed to develop well-rounded individuals and is not limited to the technical skills of the profession. Courses are intended to develop the educational, cultural and social needs of the student.
Courses are provided in the natural sciences, behavioral sciences, liberal arts and in the clinical laboratory sciences (which include a clinical practicum at area hospital laboratories). Faculty of Southern University at Shreveport work closely with the affiliated hospitals to ensure the quality and standards of education are maintained.
Program Entrance Requirements
Admission into the program is competitive and based on selected entrance criteria:
- Program applications are available in the Program Director’s office or at www.susla/MLT/page in February.
- Medical Laboratory Technician has two admission dates. July 15th for Fall admission and April 30th for Summer admission.
- Must have taken the HESI exam before applying to the program.
- Have completed 12 credit hours at SUSLA prior to admission to the clinical program. There are specified prerequisite courses.
- College transcript(s)
- Brief narrative of letter intent
- Three (3) letters of reference
- GPA of 2.5 or better
- Interview with the MLT Interview Committee
- A $200.00 entrance fee is required upon admissions in the clinical phase of Medical Lab Technician
- Applicants must be 18 years of age and be in sufficient mental and physical health to meet the minimum clinical performance standards.
Technical Standards or Essential Functions
Medical Laboratory Technician students must have abilities and skills as follows:
- Observation The applicant/student should be able to characterize color, odor, clarity and viscosity of biologicals, reagents or chemical reaction products. Therefore, the student must possess functional use of the senses of smell, vision and somatic sensation.
- Communications The applicant/student must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively orally and in writing with all members of the healthcare team. The student must have the ability to read and comprehend written material in order to correctly and independently perform laboratory test procedures.
- Psychomotor Skills The applicant/student must possess gross and fine manual dexterity sufficient to handle specimens or reagents and phlebotomy equipment and perform analytical procedures requiring the use of small, delicate tools, equipment and instruments. The applicant/student must possess vision and dexterity which allows him/her to focus and view specimens using a binocular microscope.
- Intellectual/Conceptual and Cognitive Abilities The applicant/student must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize, integrate and apply information. The applicant/student should be able to use sufficient judgment to recognize and correct performance and problem solve unexpected observations or outcomes of laboratory procedures.
- Behavioral and Social Attributes The applicant/student must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his or her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, and the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the performance of laboratory testing. Candidates must also be able to tolerate taxing workloads, function effectively under stress, adapt to a changing environment, display flexibility and function independently in the face of uncertainties or problems that might arise.
- Ethical Standards The applicant/students must demonstrate professional demeanor or behavior and must perform in an ethical manner in dealing with peers, faculty, staff and patients.
- Academic Performance The applicant/student must be able to obtain relevant information from lectures, seminars, laboratory sessions or exercises, clinical laboratory practicums and independent study assignments.
Note: Reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities will be considered on an individual basis, but a candidate must be able to perform in an independent manner. There will be no discrimination in the selection of program participants based on race, creed, color, gender, age, marital status, national origin, or physical or mental disability, providing mandatory standards can be met.
Program Length
Southern University at Shreveport Medical Laboratory Technology Program is a full time two- year (five semesters) degree program which culminates in an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree.
During the second year of the program students should prepare themselves as well as their family members to make the commitment for the length of the Program. Each student would be expected to be in class and/or clinical Monday through Friday for approximately 6-8 hours per day. Each student’s level of preparedness will determine the amount of time required to complete the Program.
Program Progression
In order to successfully progress through Medical Laboratory Technician program, the student must at a minimum:
- Complete pre-requisite courses before progressing in the program with a 70% “C” or higher
- Be enrolled in MLTC courses at the same time.
- Withdrawal from any co-requisite course prior to the college official withdrawal date will result in withdrawal from all other MLTC courses regardless of the current grade in the course.
- Students who fail a MLTC course are required to retake all MLTC courses upon readmission even if the student has passed the MLTC course with a 70% “C” or higher. Student may be granted permission to audit any MLTC course that they may have passed with a 70% “C” or higher with a written permission from the Program Director. The student will start the program over once readmitted. Student will be considered a first-year student and will be required to participate in the program as a first-year student.
- Achieve a minimum grade of 70% “C” in all health science courses.
- Satisfactorily meet course objectives.
Grading and Academic Requirements
This is a competency-based program. Each student is expected to successfully demonstrate competency in classroom work and in laboratory clinical skills. The syllabus for each course is published on the course web page on or before the first day of class and contains course objectives, course guidelines and the specific criteria for grade calculations. Grading criteria for each course is outlined in the course syllabi. All MLTC courses require a minimum of 70% in both the lecture and the laboratory components, even though the average of the two components may be 70% or greater. The student will be given only one attempt on the Final Laboratory Exam in each MLT course due to limited availability of specimens.
The following MLTC courses except the MLTC practicum courses use the following scale for determination of final grades:
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = 59% and below
***NOTE: All clinical practicum courses Final grades must be 75% or above to pass the course.
The following MLTC courses except the MLTC practicum courses (MLTC 247S, 248S, 249S, 250S, 251S, 252S, 253S) use the following scale for determination of final grades:
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 75-79%
D = 60-74%
F = 59% and below
Students will have to pass the Comprehensive Exit Exam that is taken in MLTC 270S to be eligible for graduation and eligible to sit for the National Exam. The student will be given three opportunities to pass the 300-400 question exam. The student will enroll in MLTC 270S in their last semester of the program. A passing score for the comprehensive Exit Exam is 70% or higher. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS!!! Failure to pass the Comprehensive Exit Exam after three attempts will result in a failing grade of “D” posted for MLTC 270S, Student will have an opportunity to come back to the program by following the readmission policy.
NOTE: Please consult with the MLT/Phlebotomy Program Director prior to making any decisions on withdrawal, assistance will be available to you in any way possible with problem areas.
It is expected that all prerequisite course work is completed prior to registering for the designated course. Program officials reserve the right to make exceptions.
The student must achieve a minimum grade of “C” in all academic course work of the degree plan (English, Math, etc.), and must meet all requirements established by the college for the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree.
Upon graduation and initial employment, the medical laboratory technician should be able to demonstrate entry-level competencies in the areas of professional practice listed below:
- Collecting and processing biological specimens for analysis;
- Performing analytical tests on body fluids, cells, and products;
- Recognizing factors that affect procedures and results, and taking appropriate actions within predetermined limits when corrections are indicated;
- Monitoring quality control within predetermined limits;
- Performing preventive and corrective maintenance of equipment and instruments or referring to appropriate source for repairs;
- Demonstrating professional conduct and interpersonal communication skills with patients, laboratory personnel, other health care professionals, and with the public;
- Recognizing the responsibilities of other laboratory and health care personnel and interacting with them with respect for their jobs and patient care;
- Applying basic scientific principles in learning new techniques and procedures;
- Relating laboratory findings to common disease processes; and recognizing and acting upon individual needs for continuing education as a function of growth and maintenance of professional competence.
Certification Eligibility
Upon completion of Program and College requirements for the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology, the graduate is eligible for the national examinations for MLT and CLT offered by the ASCP and AMT. Cost for the National Exam is $250-$275. Passing of a national certification exam is not contingent on awarding the AAS degree in Medical Laboratory Technology
Career Pathway
At career entry, the Medical Laboratory Technician will be able to perform routine clinical laboratory tests such as hematology, clinical chemistry, immunohematology, microbiology, serology/immunology, coagulation, molecular, and other emerging diagnostics as the primary analyst making specimen-oriented decisions on predetermined criteria, including a working knowledge of critical values. Communications skills will extend to frequent interactions with members of the healthcare team, external relations, customer service and patient education. The level of analysis ranges from waived and point of care testing to complex testing encompassing all major areas of the clinical laboratory. The Medical Laboratory Technician will have diverse functions in areas of pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes. The clinical Medical Laboratory Technician will have responsibilities for information processing, training, and quality control monitoring wherever clinical laboratory testing is performed. A Medical Lab Technician is prepared to work in a:
- Hospital Laboratory
- Clinic
- Physician Office Laboratory
- Reference Laboratory
- Blood Donor Laboratory
- Insurance Health Fair