Clinical Laboratory Technician
- AAS - Career Program
- Department of Biology
Get results in the lab — and in your career — by becoming a lab tech
Monroe Community College offers the only clinical laboratory technician associate degree program in the Rochester area.
This two-year degree program, housed in the biology department, offers outstanding career training in lab tech skills and technologies. You'll get a practical, hands-on education in medical laboratory procedures, while gaining valuable field experience in various clinical lab settings.
The clinical lab tech associate degree program enables you to:
- Develop clinical lab tech skills
- Pass professional licensing exams
- Add work experience and references to your resume
- Compete for medical lab technician and clinical lab technician jobs
To get started on your clinical lab technician associate degree, contact the admissions office at (585) 292-2200 or admissions@monroecc.edu.
Develop In-Demand Skills for the Lab Tech Work Force
The clinical laboratory technician AAS degree provides you with a practical education in medical laboratory procedures. You'll have coursework in math, data recording, laboratory analysis, medical computer applications, and written/oral communication.
In addition, the clinical/medical lab technician associate degree covers medical subjects such as:
- Hematology
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Serology
- Clinical chemistry
- Urinalysis
While earning your associate degree, you'll train to be a clinical laboratory technician in many types of laboratory settings, including hospitals, reference testing labs, and nonprofit organizations such as the Red Cross.
Please Note: Due to the competitive nature of the clinical laboratory technician program, most students will complete several required courses before beginning the four-semester sequence of clinical laboratory technician courses. Read our admissions requirements and contact the admissions office to learn more.
CLINICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN
A.A.S. Degree - Career Program
Department:Biology
School(s): Health Sciences & Physical Wellness
MCC Program Code: CL01
Description
This program is designed to prepare Clinical Laboratory Technicians (also known as Medical Laboratory Technicians) to perform clinical laboratory testing in rapidly changing and dynamic healthcare delivery systems. The CLT graduate will possess entry level competencies to perform, evaluate, correlate, and assure accuracy and validity of laboratory results. The program includes instruction in the principles and practice of hematology/hemostasis, diagnostic microbiology, immunohematology/transfusion medicine, immunology/serology, clinical chemistry, phlebotomy, histology, laboratory operations, and urine and body fluid analysis, as well as clinical laboratory safety and regulation, and interpersonal communication skills. Clinical experience is provided at local clinical laboratories. Graduates of the program can expect a favorable job market with increasing needs and growth opportunities.
Fall admission only.
The program is recognized by the New York State Education Department as licensure qualifying. Graduates are eligible for state licensure as Certified Clinical Laboratory Technicians. The program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 N. River Rd, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018; www.naacls.org. Graduates of this program are also eligible to sit for the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) exam.
The program of study must be completed within five years of matriculation. Students need to successfully complete any TRS or ESL courses prior to enrollment in the program. A minimum grade of C is necessary in all required biology (BIO), chemistry (CHE) and clinical laboratory technician (CLT) courses for continued matriculation in the program. The Clinical Laboratory Technician program is a high demand, competitive program. Readmission to the program is not automatic and is dependent on several factors. Students seeking readmission to the program (or seeking admission after unsuccessful attempts in a clinical lab program at another college) should contact the CLT Program Director for information. Readmission, if approved, is always on a space available basis and is only allowed once. A student who fails to achieve a C in the clinical rotation course is not eligible for readmission to the program. Part time study is available but must be coordinated with the CLT Program Director.
Completion of medical requirements, including clearance of existing health problem(s), tuberculosis testing, vaccinations, and the ability to meet essential functions (physical and mental demands) of the program is required for admission and continuation in the program. Student must provide proof of current health insurance to participate in clinical rotations. Students are required to purchase liability insurance from the College for the clinical rotations the final semester.
Program Learning Outcomes
1.Perform clinical laboratory analyses following established protocols.
2.Explain the methodologies of common clinical laboratory tests.
3.Correlate clinical laboratory tests with human health or disease.
4.Display professional behavior appropriate for clinical settings.
5.Communicate effectively in a variety of ways appropriate for clinical situations.
Employment Potential
For related jobs: Career Coach
Occupational Resource: https://www.onetonline.org
Requirements for Program Entrance
MCC Mathematics Level 9 Placement OR MTH 165 (or higher) with a grade of C or better and high school (or college) Biology with a grade of C or better. High school Chemistry is recommended. Note that a Chemistry prerequisite is required if student chooses to take the BIO 144/145 sequence, CHE 124, or CHE 151. Current students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher within the past seven years. Admission to this program is Fall semester only.
Competitive admission. Please contact the Admissions Office regarding current admission criteria and/or geographic limitations.
Distribution Requirements | Credit Hours |
---|---|
FIRST SEMESTER: (Fall) 17-18 Credit Hours | |
BIO 134 Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology I (grade of C or higher required) OR BIO 144 Human Anatomy and Physiology I (grade of C or higher required) # + | 3-4 |
CHE 124 General, Organic, and Biochemistry (grade of C or higher required) OR CHE 145 Preparation for General College Chemistry (grade of C or higher required) OR CHE 151 General College Chemistry I (grade of C or higher required) + | 4 |
CLT 100 Introduction to Medical Laboratory Technology (grade of C or higher required) | 1 |
ENG 101 College Composition OR ENG 200 Advanced Composition | 3 |
MTH 160 Statistics I | 3 |
PHL 255 Professional Ethics for Science and Medicine | 3 |
Total | 17-18 |
SECOND SEMESTER: (Spring) 15-16 Credit Hours | |
BIO 135 Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology II (grade of C or higher required) OR BIO 145 Human Anatomy and Physiology II (grade of C or higher required) # + | 3-4 |
BIO 148 Fundamentals of Biology and Inheritance (grade of C or higher required) | 3 |
CLT 110 Specimen Procurement and Processing (grade of C or higher required) | 1 |
CLT 201 Immunology (grade of C or higher required) | 3 |
CLT 202 Serological Techniques (grade of C or higher required) | 1 |
CLT 204 Clinical Microbiology I (grade of C or higher required) | 4 |
Total | 15-16 |
THIRD SEMESTER: (Summer) 3 Credit Hours | |
CLT 130 Body Fluids and Urinalysis (grade of C or higher required) | 2 |
CLT 150 Histology Techniques (grade of C or higher required) ** | 1 |
Total | 3 |
FOURTH SEMESTER: (Fall) 14 Credit Hours | |
CLT 205 Clinical Microbiology II (grade of C or higher required) | 2 |
CLT 210 Clinical Chemistry (grade of C or higher required) | 4 |
CLT 220 Immunohematology (grade of C or higher required) | 4 |
CLT 230 Hematology and Coagulation (grade of C or higher required) | 4 |
Total | 14 |
FIFTH SEMESTER (Spring): 13 Credit Hours | |
CLT 240 Molecular Diagnostics (grade of C or higher required) | 1 |
CLT 250 Clinical Rotations (grade of C or higher required)** | 7 |
CLT 260 Medical Laboratory Technology Seminar (grade of C or higher required) | 2 |
SPC 141 Interpersonal Speech Communication | 3 |
Total | 13 |
TOTAL CREDITS | 62-64 |
+ Please consult with an advisor to choose the correct courses for your future plans.
** Students must have reliable transportation to clinical affiliates. Students must be available for full-time study during the final semester; rotations may be day or evening shift.
Revised 4/11/24