Medical Laboratory Technology

Associate of Applied Science

A candidate for the Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Laboratory Technology must follow the required procedure for admission to the College and, in addition, is required to:

1. Contact the MLT faculty to schedule an interview and a career interest/options guidance session. (Prospective MLT students who lack a strong science background may also be required to complete BIOL 1107K before progressing further than MLTS 1101.) It is highly recommended that most, if not all, pre-requisites be completed prior to starting the MLTS major field courses, but at least MATH 1111 and BIOL 2252K.
2. Apply and be accepted to Dalton State College and meet all regular A.A.S. degree admission requirements.
3. Procure a physical examination form from the MLT department after being accepted into the program, have a personal physician complete it, and forward the completed form to the MLT program director before the clinical practicum begins.  Students will be required to have up to date immunizations and obtain a TB skin test once accepted into the program.  Additional requirements, after acceptance in to the MLT program,  will involve a background check and drug screen at the students cost. (Information distributed in MLTS 1101, Introduction to Health Sciences/Phlebotomy.)
4. Satisfactorily complete all chemistry requirements and clinical courses before beginning clinical practicum at an affiliated hospital.
5. Become acquainted with policies pertaining to college and hospital regulations as set forth in the MLT Student Handbook.
6. Achieve a 2.5 GPA on general education courses.

Students must complete all learning support, MATH 1111 and BIOL 2252K prior to entering MLT major courses. It is HIGHLY recommend that all pre-req’s be completed before entering MLT major courses. It is highly recommended that students take BIOL 1107K and BIOL 2251K prior to enrolling in the BIOL 2252K based on Science background.

Assignment to affiliated hospitals is determined by the MLT faculty. Students are required to purchase liability insurance and appropriate uniforms for clinical practicum once accepted into the MLT Program. Clinical facilities used by the program may require students to submit to background checks and drug screenings before they are allowed in the facility. Based on the information obtained, these facilities can refuse student access. Failure to be accepted into clinical facilities may jeopardize the student’s ability to complete the program.

MLT Technical Essentials

These are the essential non-academic requirements of the MLT Program, “that the student must master to successfully participate in the program and become employable.”

MLT students must be able to meet the following essentials:

1. Ability to read and write legibly.
2. To see through a microscope accurately, to differentiate colors/stains/special stain reactions.
3. Possess manual dexterity.
4. Good communication skills.
5. Be mobile, able to stand long hours, lift 20-30 lbs.
6. Hear within normal range with/without corrective devices (able to hear bells, buzzers, warning devices, and timers).
7. Must possess organizational skills and be able to prioritize.
8. Work/respond in stressful/emergency situations.

Medical laboratory technologists and technicians typically do the following:

• Analyze body fluids, such as blood, urine, and tissue samples, and record normal or abnormal findings
• Study blood samples for use in transfusions by identifying the number of cells, the cell morphology or the blood group, blood type, and compatibility with other blood types
• Operate sophisticated laboratory equipment, such as microscopes and cell counters
• Use automated equipment and computerized instruments capable of performing a number of tests at the same time
• Log data from medical tests and enter results into a patient’s medical record
• Discuss results and findings of laboratory tests and procedures with physicians
• Supervise or train medical laboratory technicians

Both technicians and technologists perform tests and procedures that physicians and surgeons or other healthcare personnel order. However, technologists perform more complex tests and laboratory procedures than technicians do. For example, technologists may prepare specimens and perform manual tests that are based on detailed instructions, whereas technicians perform routine tests that may be more automated. Medical laboratory technicians usually work under the general supervision of medical laboratory technologists or laboratory managers.

Technologists in small laboratories perform many types of tests; in large laboratories, they generally specialize. The following are examples of types of specialized medical laboratory technologists:

Blood bank technologists, or immunohematology technologists, collect blood, classify it by type, and prepare blood and its components for transfusions. 

Clinical chemistry technologists prepare specimens and analyze the chemical and hormonal contents of body fluids. 

Cytotechnologists prepare slides of body cells and examine these cells with a microscope for abnormalities that may signal the beginning of a cancerous growth. 

Immunology technologists examine elements of the human immune system and its response to foreign bodies. 

Microbiology technologists examine and identify bacteria and other microorganisms. 

Molecular biology technologists perform complex protein and nucleic acid tests on cell samples.

Like technologists, medical laboratory technicians may work in several areas of the laboratory or specialize in one particular area. For example, histotechnicians cut and stain tissue specimens for pathologists, that are doctors that study the cause and development of diseases at a microscopic level.

Technologists and technicians often specialize after they have worked in a particular area for a long time or have received advanced education or training in that area.

Work Environment

Medical laboratory technologists operate sophisticated laboratory equipment such as microscopes and cell counters.

Prospective MLT students:

Application Process:

1. Meet all regular A.A.S. degree admission requirements for the college.
2. Satisfactorily complete all general education courses prior to starting the MLT major career courses.
3. Achieve a 2.5 GPA on general education courses and maintain "80" or better in MLT major courses.
4. The MLT faculty will contact applicant to schedule an interview (May) and a career interest/options guidance session. (Prospective MLT students who lack a strong science background may also be required to complete BIOL 1107K and BIOL 2251K.)
5. Submit program Health Career Data Sheet Technical Evaluation Form. Submission Deadline April 1 each year for Fall admission. Interviews set up May, before Fall semester.
6. Become acquainted with policies pertaining to college and hospital regulations as set forth in the MLT Student Handbook once accepted into the MLT program. 

Once accepted into the MLT program, students are required to procure a physical examination form from the MLT department and have a personal physician complete it (distributed in the MLTS 1101 course), and forward the completed form to the MLT program director before the clinical practicums begin.  Students are required to submit a background check and drug screen prior to attending any clinical portion at any clinical affiliate (once accepted into the program). Additional costs for the student include requirements for malpractice insurance, uniform(s), and name tag.

All admissions documents (including Health Career Data Sheet, background check results, drug screening results) must be received by the program director prior to enrollment in the MLT major course beyond MLTS 1101.  Admission documents deadline is APRIL 1 for a fall cohort.  Extensions of application documents deadline are made on a situational basis.

Students meeting the MLT requirements are not guaranteed admission to the Medical Laboratory Technology program. Program enrollment is limited (12-15) and competitive. Those students meeting MLT requirements and completing all program admission assessments and documents will be evaluated by the faculty of the MLT program with the most qualified students being selected.

The MLT program is a full-time commitment consisting of class and practicum Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. for clinical practicum (mainly) for 3 semesters once starting the MLT major courses.  Any change in the scheduled courses must be approved by the MLT faculty.  (Example: failure to proceed as scheduled due to course failure or extended illness.)   Students who fail a MLT course (make less than a "B", which is a score less than an 80) may repeat the course only once. Students who fail a MLT course a second time or who fail two MLT courses, make less than a "B"= 80 within a  single or one semester will not be eligible for continuation of the program.

Applicants will be ranked by points using information the applicant provides to the MLT Program. Ranking will be based on GPA, Completion of MLTS 1101 (not required) and grade in the MLTS 1101 course, Course Grade(s) for Math/Science General Education courses, Course Grades for Non-Science/Math General Education courses,  additional courses completed with grades of B or higher (up to limit of 4 courses: Biology, Chemistry, Math and Reference Score). Selection is based on total qualifying score in rank order from the highest until admission quota is reached.

All documentation must be submitted to be included in the point system by application deadline.  All information is kept confidential.

The DSC Medical Laboratory Program is an accredited and approved program by NAACLS (National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences): 5600 N. River Rd.
Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119

Phone Number: 847.939.3597, 773.714.8880, 773.714.8886 (FAX) info@naacls.org
http://www.naacls.org

The DSC MLT Program Outcome

Program outcomes for the Medical Laboratory Technology Program placement of graduates in the workforce; the pass rate for those that sit for the ASCP registry and graduation rate. An acceptable placement for a graduate is if they begin working as a Medical Technologist/Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) or continue on with their education after completion of the MLT program. Target for program is 75%. A total of 6 MLT A.A.S. students graduated in December 2022 (January 1 -December 31, 2022). The job placement of these graduates was 100% either part-time or full time employment within 3-6 month after graduation. The Dalton State College MLT students achieved 100% pass rate for first time test takers (national pass rate 78%) with a minimum program score of 515 compared to the national minimum score of 483.  Graduation rate for 2022; number of students midpoint 6; number of students graduated 6; graduated 100% for DSC MLT program.

Graduation Rates:

MLT Graduation Rates

Year	# of Students (Midpoint)	# of Students Graduated	% Graduation Rate
2020-2021	8	8	100
2021-2022	6	6	100
2022-2023	8	8	100

Certification Rates:

MLT Certification Rates

Year	# of Graduates	# of Graduates Taking Certification Exam	% Certification Pass Rate
2020-2021	8	8	100
2021-2022*	6	6	100
2022-2023*	8	NA	NA

* No students have sat for the certification at the time of report. Graduates have 18 months to take the certification exam after completion of program in the state of Georgia.

Job Placement Rates:

MLT Job Placement Rates

Year	# of Students (Midpoint)	# Employed in Field (within 3-6 months)	% Job Placement Rate
2020-2021	8	8	100
2021-2022	6	6	100
2022-2023*	8	8	100

*All students had job offers and employment after completion of the MLT Program.

MLT PROGRAM PROSPECTIVE STUDENT SCHEDULE:

Any learning support courses must be completed prior to beginning pre-requisite courses.

MLTS 1101(Fall II) is required prior to beginning MLT major courses (Spring II). It is highly recommended that students take BIOL 1107K and BIOL 2251K prior to enrolling in the BIOL 2252K. Based on Science background, BIOL 1107K and BIOL 2251K may be necessary.

Option 1 Beginning Freshman

(Student must have permission to take BIOL 2252K without the BIOL 2251K pre-req.)

Fall I
ENGL 1101	English Composition I	3
MATH 1111	College Algebra	3
POLS 1101	American Government	3
HIST 2111	United States History to 1877	3
or HIST 2112	United States Hist since 1877
Spring I
ENGL 1102	English Composition II	3
COMM 1110	Fundamentals of Speech	3
CHEM 1211K	Principles of Chemistry I	4
BIOL 2252K	Anatomy and Physiology II	4
*permission from MLT faculty to exempt BIOL 2251K pre-req for BIOL 2252K

Option 2 Beginning Freshman

 (Taking BIOL 2251K as pre-req)

FALL I
ENGL 1101	English Composition I	3
MATH 1111	College Algebra	3
POLS 1101	American Government	3
HIST 2111	United States History to 1877	3
or HIST 2112	United States Hist since 1877
SPRING I
ENGL 1102	English Composition II	3
COMM 1110	Fundamentals of Speech	3
CHEM 1211K	Principles of Chemistry I	4
Recommend students that desire to pursue a Bachelor's degree take CHEM 1212K
BIOL 2251K	Anatomy and Physiology I	4
*May also need to take BIOL 1107K to prepare for BIOL 2251K
FALL II
BIOL 2252K	Anatomy and Physiology II	4
MLTS 1101	Intro to Health Sci/Phlebotomy (MLTS 1101 with permission of the Program Director. Must successfully complete the BIOL 2252K before progressing to other MLT major courses or may be dismissed from program or put on wait list to progress through the program)	3

MLT courses after completion of pre-req’s courses

Students must complete all learning support and all pre-req’s prior to beginning  MLT Major courses beyond MLTS 1101.  MLTS 1101 is required prior to beginning MLT major courses. It is highly recommended that students take BIOL 1107 and BIOL 2251K prior to enrolling in the BIOL 2252K based on Science background.

FALL II
MLTS 1101	Intro to Health Sci/Phlebotomy	3
MLTS 1105	Serology/Immunology	3
BIOL 2252K	Anatomy and Physiology II (and/or General Chemistry)	4
Any pre-req's required: All pre-req's must be completed by the end of the semester enrolled in the MLTS 1101 course and acceptance in the MLT program prior to proceeding forward in the MLT major courses.
SPRING II
MLTS 1103	Hematology/Coagulation I	3
MLTS 1118	Instrumentation/Computer Appli	3
MLTS 2218	Microbiology	4
MLTS 1190	MLT Clinical Practicum I	1
MLTS 1107	Clinical Chemistry	4
FALL III
MLTS 1104	Hematology/Coagulation II	3
MLTS 1106	Blood Bank	3
MLTS 1112	Urinalysis/Parasitology	3
SPRING III
MLTS 1191	MLT Clinical Practicum II	1
MLTS 2290	MLT Clinical Practicum III	12
SUMMER III
MLTS 2291	MLT Clinical Practicum IV	4

Transfer students: (Students that have all pre-req’s/general educational courses)

MLT courses after completion of pre-req courses

Students must complete all learning support and all pre-req’s prior to beginning  MLT Major (Spring II)  courses beyond MLTS 1101.  MLTS 1101 is required prior to beginning MLT major courses     It is highly recommended that students take BIOL 1107 and BIOL 2251K prior to enrolling in the BIOL 2252K based on Science background.

FALL II
MLTS 1101	Intro to Health Sci/Phlebotomy	3
All pre-req's must be completed by the end of the semeseter enrolled in the MLTS 1101 course and acceptance in the MLT program prior to proceeding forward in the MLT major courses.
SPRING II
MLTS 1103	Hematology/Coagulation I	3
MLTS 1118	Instrumentation/Computer Appli	3
MLTS 2218	Microbiology	4
MLTS 1190	MLT Clinical Practicum I	1
MLTS 1107	Clinical Chemistry	4
FALL III
MLTS 1104	Hematology/Coagulation II	3
MLTS 1106	Blood Bank	3
MLTS 1112	Urinalysis/Parasitology	3
SPRING III
MLTS 1191	MLT Clinical Practicum II	1
MLTS 2290	MLT Clinical Practicum III	12
SUMMER III
MLTS 2291	MLT Clinical Practicum IV	4

For more information contact:
 

Tyra Stalling, BSMT, MLS (ASCP), M.S.H.S

Program Director of Medical Laboratory Technology and Phlebotomy

Dalton State College

650 College Drive

Dalton, Ga. 30720

tstalling@daltonstate.edu

706-272-2508

Or

Marcela Armenta, MLS (ASCP)

Education Coordinator of Medical Laboratory Technology and Phlebotomy

Dalton State College

650 College Drive

Dalton, Ga. 30720

marmenta@daltonstate.edu

706-272-4512

 

MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY

Associate of Applied Science

This degree requires proof of computer literacy.

General Education
BIOL 2252K	Anatomy and Physiology II	4
CHEM 1211K	Principles of Chemistry I	4
COMM 1110	Fundamentals of Speech	3
ENGL 1101	English Composition I	3
ENGL 1102	English Composition II	3
HIST 2111	United States History to 1877	3
or HIST 2112	United States Hist since 1877
MATH 1111	College Algebra	3
POLS 1101	American Government	3
Major Field Courses
MLTS 1101	Intro to Health Sci/Phlebotomy	3
MLTS 1103	Hematology/Coagulation I	3
MLTS 1104	Hematology/Coagulation II	3
MLTS 1105	Serology/Immunology	3
MLTS 1106	Blood Bank	3
MLTS 1107	Clinical Chemistry	4
MLTS 1112	Urinalysis/Parasitology	3
MLTS 1118	Instrumentation/Computer Appli	3
MLTS 1190	MLT Clinical Practicum I	1
MLTS 1191	MLT Clinical Practicum II	1
MLTS 2218	Microbiology	4
MLTS 2290	MLT Clinical Practicum III	12
MLTS 2291	MLT Clinical Practicum IV	4
Physical Education
PHED Activity Elective		1
Total Hours		74

• Successful completion of all MLTS major field courses with a “B” (80) or better is required.
• MLTS major field courses can be repeated a maximum of one time.
• All general education courses must be completed prior to starting MLT major field courses.
• All MLT major field courses must be completed prior to entering MLTS 2290 and MLTS 2291

This program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences which is sponsored by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists and the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Scientists.

N.A.A.C.L.S.
8410 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 670
Chicago, IL 60631
(773) 714-8880