MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN

Associate of Applied Science Degree
Darius Y. Wilson
(901) 333-5407

The Medical Laboratory Technician is an essential member of the health care team, providing laboratory tests used in the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of disease, and the maintenance of health.

This program is designed to give students both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in a variety of laboratory procedures. Students in the program spend the final six months of the second year rotating through clinical laboratories of area hospitals. During this period, the program calendar will differ from the school calendar. Students accepted into the program must remain in sequence and complete all courses on schedule.

This Medical Laboratory Technician program is licensed by the State of Tennessee Department of Health Medical Laboratory Board-Facilities Health Related Boards and is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 8410 West Bryn Mawr Suite 670, Chicago, IL 60631 (773) 714-8880. Program graduates are eligible to take national certification examinations and make application for Tennessee licensure as medical laboratory technicians.

The Medical Lab Technician clinical sites: Methodist University Hospital, Memphis Pathology Lab, LeBonheur Children's Hospital, Baptist Memorial Hospital, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Methodist Germantown, Regional Medical Center, and Lifeblood.

Policies and Requirements

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for consideration for admission, the applicant must have:

  1. Degree admission status at Southwest
  2. Completed the following prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of "C":
    1. A college level English course or BIOL 1010
    2. BIOL 1110 or BIOL 2010
    3. MLT 1110
  3. Be eligible to enroll in a college level mathematics course
  4. Successfully completed any science course attempted and required for the degree
  5. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
  6. Submitted the following materials to the Admissions Office by the established deadline: July 1 (fall semester admission); or November 1 (spring semester admission):
    1. Application for Special Admission Programs
    2. Official transcript(s) of all college work attempted and/or completed at college(s) or university(ies) other than Southwest Tennessee Community College (mailed directly from releasing institution)

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Advanced Standing Admission

Students who have completed all of the prescribed first year courses except MLT 1110 and/or MLT 1500 may be considered for admission to the program, with advanced standing, depending upon availability of space. Advanced standing applicants must fulfill the regular program admission requirements. Admission is competitive, with preference given to students who exceed the minimum requirements.

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Selection Criteria

The MLT Admission Committee ranks applicants according to the following criteria:

  1. College-Level GPA x 2
  2. Required prerequisite course GPA x 2
  3. Admission/Readmission essay x 1

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Retention Policy

In order to retain a position in the program, the student must:

  1. Meet the Technical Standards for the Medical Laboratory Technician Program.
  2. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0.
  3. Earn a minimum grade of C in all MLT courses required for the degree. Any student who fails to meet this requirement in any of the above courses will be dismissed from the program.
  4. Complete the following courses prior to enrollment in the second year MLT courses:
    1. College level chemistry: 4 hours prior to enrollment in Medical Biochemistry
    2. Microbiology: 4 hours prior to enrollment in Medical Microbiology
  5. Remain in sequence and on schedule for enrollment in Clinical Assignments I and II and Clinical Seminar.
  6. Submit a medical record/physical examination showing freedom from any communicable disease, drug or alcohol addiction, and evidence of emotional and physical fitness for performing professional duties prior to clinical assignment.
  7. Criminal background checks may be a requirement at some affiliated clinical rotation sites at the student's expense. Based on the results of these checks, an affiliated clinical site may determine to not allow your presence at their facility. This could result in your inability to successfully complete the program requirements. A criminal background check may preclude licensure, certification, and/or employment. Other licensure and/or certification agencies may require that background checks be submitted using one of their designated vendors, which may differ from the vendor recommended by Southwest Tennessee Community College.

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Malpractice Insurance

Students are required to purchase malpractice insurance when registering for initial Clinical Assignment.

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Readmission Policy

Students withdrawing from the program or dismissed for academic reasons may be considered for readmission under current admission policy, based on space availability. The Admission Committee will review the student's transcript to identify courses to be retaken. Due to the rapid change of technology in the field of laboratory medicine, no more than two years may elapse between completion of any MLT second year didactic course and the beginning of the clinical assignment courses. Students desiring readmission must submit a written request to the MLT Program director 30 days prior to the first day of registration for that term.

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Program Costs

In addition to tuition and lab fees, students may have additional cost ranging from $400 to $800 to include uniforms, duty shoes, physical examinations, laboratory tests, immunizations, graduation, certification and licensure fees.

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