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Medical Lab Technology

About the program

A flexible, hybrid path to success

Many opportunities await those choosing careers in medicine and science. One of the most rewarding is the medical laboratory technology (MLT) field. As members of the medical team, technicians work side by side with medical technologists and pathologists and have relatively less contact with patients. MLTs perform a great variety of scientific laboratory procedures, utilizing automated computerized instrumentation, all of which aid in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of disease.

In 2021, 100% of MLT students graduated and found employment, and 90% of students passed the BOC exam. 

As a result of completing the MLT program, students obtain a background in general college courses and the sciences, and they develop the important technical skills required for medical laboratory employment. After graduation students are encouraged to take one of the national certification examinations, which is required by most medical laboratory employers (ASCP/BOC).

Available remotely at regional sites 

The MLT program can be completed in any of our regional sites:

  • Wenatchee
  • Omak
  • Walla Walla
  • Moses Lake
  • Lewiston, ID/Clarkston, WA
  • Pendleton, OR
  • NEW: Colville
  • NEW: Port Angeles

Learn more on the regional sites page.

Program overview

First year

During the preparatory First-Year, the typical MLT student takes general education courses and specialized medical laboratory courses designed to provide a solid base for the Second-Year of on-the-job training.

Second year

Students spend the Second-Year in medical laboratory facilities that have agreed to be training centers, while simultaneously taking theoretical supporting courses. Travel to distant training facilities may be required, and work on a variety of shifts may be necessary; therefore, reliable transportation is required.

Second-year courses MLT 150, 213, 223, 233 are taught on-campus or by the use of Zoom (videoconference) for distant students. Their associated laboratory courses MLT 151, 214, 224 and 234 are taught in the student lab on-campus or online for distant students. For that reason, students must have an up-to-date computer and internet access. Courses MLT 210, 220, 230 and 240 are clinicals and take place in clinical laboratories. Students generally rotate to a new clinical location every quarter and therefore students must be willing to travel to these locations. Although every effort is made to place students in clinicals in their communities, this cannot be guaranteed.

All students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 (“C” or better) in all specified program courses.

Students need to be aware that conviction of certain crimes may prevent completion of the clinical course requirements of the program and may also prevent future licensing and employment in the field.

Additional employment opportunities

In addition to employment in medical laboratories, graduates pursue positions in research, molecular biology, industry and veterinary laboratories, as well as medical supply and equipment sales. For additional descriptive information visit the following two national websites at http://www.ascls.org/ and http://www.ascp.org/. To explore occupations and find related career information go to www.mynextmove.org.

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 North River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119 (1.847.939.3597).

Program Statistics

  2021 2022 2023
Graduate 100% 67% 100%
Find Employment 100% 100% 83%
Pass BOC Exam 90% 100% 100%

 

Limited Enrollment

The WVC MLT Program is a limited enrollment program. The number of students accepted each year is dependent on the number of clinical sites available. The full program (including First-Year coursework) can be completed in eight academic quarters (two calendar years), depending on the educational background of the entering student. The timeline for completing First-Year coursework may vary. All students are considered for admission.