Program Goals

Goals and Competencies of the MLT Program

Preparing a student for employment in a clinical laboratory setting. The MLT program prepares the graduates to:

• Meet eligibility requirements for national certification examinations.
• Perform routine laboratory procedures in many departments of a clinical lab
  with accuracy and precision.
• Recognize normal and abnormal test results and take necessary action with critical values.
• Perform and interpret basic quality control procedures and take corrective action when necessary.
• Operate and maintain basic laboratory equipment.
• Recognize and adhere to safety policies.
• Demonstrate sound work practices and ethical behavior when interacting with faculty, staff, students, patients, co-workers and other health care personnel.

Respond to community workforce needs and train competent personnel.

• With direction from the MLT Advisory Committee develop and update curriculum to meet the urgent shortage of personnel.
• Maintain standards of practice in laboratory education for the region. 

Respond to educational needs of personnel currently working in the field.

• Provide updating and cross training opportunities for laboratory personnel.
• Prepare personnel trained in other countries to meet requirements for US national certification examinations.

Prepare MLT Program students for career-entry competency in:

• Collection and processing biological specimens for analysis.
• Performing analytic tests on clinical specimens including body fluids,
  cells, and tissues.
• Recognizing factors that influence and affect procedures and results, and taking appropriate actions within set limits when corrections are indicated.
• Monitoring and performing quality control within set limits.
• Performing preventive maintenance on laboratory equipment or instruments, as well as taking corrective actions and making necessary repair services as needed.
• Demonstrating professional conduct and interpersonal communication skills with patients, co-workers, health care professionals, patients, public and customers.
• Recognize the role, scope of practice and responsibilities of laboratory and health care personnel.
• Interacting with respect and concern for the best possible outcome for the patient, and respecting the confidentiality of all patient information.
• Applying basic scientific principles and theory, as well as being able to learn new techniques and procedures.
• Relating laboratory findings to clinical significance and many common diseases.
• Maintaining continuing education as a function of growth within the clinical laboratory profession.