Associate in Science/Associate in Applied Science

Medical Laboratory Technology (2220)

THIS IS A LIMITED ACCESS PROGRAM. Medical laboratory technicians are detectives in the battle against illness and disease. Through diagnostic laboratory testing, they play a pivotal role in the diagnosis of such diseases as anemia, leukemia, heart disease, diabetes and infections.

Medical laboratory professionals have unlimited choices of practice settings: hospitals, reference laboratories, clinics, business and industry. Areas of scientific exploration open to students are the immune system, cell marker technology and cancer research. In the clinical area, drug testing, therapeutic drug monitoring and biogenetics are a few of the specialties with openings. For a qualified laboratory professional, the possibilities are as limitless as the imagination.

Expected Job Growth: 19 - 37% through 2010, according to the Department of Labor.

Starting Salary: $20 - 32,000 for day shift
Average Salary: Typically between $26,800 - $33,700

Certification and Licensing
Graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification exams and to be licensed through the State of Florida, Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel, Department of Health.

Accreditation
This limited access program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) at 8410 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 670, Chicago, Illinois 60631-3415 (773.714.8880).

Application Procedure

Students may find it difficult to work during the professional phase of the program due to clinical demands. Students will be expected to perform in a professional manner during the campus and clinical phases and must have excellent coordination skills.

Students must earn a grade of C or better in the medical laboratory courses and complete all campus-based courses with a grade point average of 2.0 or better before entering the clinical phase of their education. Placement in the clinical practicum phase of the program is on a space available basis; a GPA-ranked waiting list will determine placement should space become limited for reasons beyond the control of the program. MLT 1022C must be completed or in progress prior to submitting an application to the program.

While there are no specific entry dates, course sequencing is best achieved by starting in the Fall term. Most classes are offered in the evening.

Applicants must:

1. Interview with the program director.
2. Complete the program application.
3. Enroll in MLT 1022C Introduction to Health Technology.
4. Submit recommendation from MLT 1022C instructor.
5. Complete the Health Occupations Test (HOT).

Curriculum

General Education Courses
**CHM 1025C Introduction to General Chemistry (4)
ENC 1101 English Composition I (3)
MAC 1105 College Algebra (3)
*Social and Behavioral Sciences (3)
*Humanities (3)

Credit hours: 16

Professional Courses
MLT 1022C Introduction to Health Technology (3)
BSC 2085C Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4)
MLT 1300C Hematology (4)
MLT 2500C Clinical Immunology (4)
MLT 1330C Hemostasis (2)
MLT 2610C Clinical Chemistry (3)
**CHM 2045C General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis I (4)
MLT 2230C Clinical Microscopy (2)
MLT 1440C Parasitology/Mycology (2)
MCB 2010C Microbiology (4)
***CGS 1060 Introductory Computer Concepts (3)
MLT 2150C Clinical Correlations (2)
MLT 2525C Immunohematology (3)
MLT 1401C Medical Microbiology (4)
MLT 2800L Clinical Practicum I (8)
MLT 2801L Clinical Practicum II (8)

Credit hours: 60

Total Credit Hours: 76

*Refer to A.S. degree General Education Requirements.
**Students who qualify may substitute CHM 2045C and CHM 2046C.
***Student may substitute HSC 1531 Medical Terminology if approved by the program chair.

Notes
You have two options in this program: the associate in science (A.S.) degree, which can prepare you for employment or transfer to a state university, and the associate in applied science (A.A.S.) degree, which is intended primarily for students who want immediate employment after graduation. If you choose the A.S. degree you must take MAC 1105, MGF 1106 or a higher level mathematics and CHM 2045C. The A.A.S. degree requires MAT 1033 or higher, and CHM 2205C or CHM 1032C. You may substitute BSC 2020C for BSC 2085C if you have prerequisite requirements. Please see an advisor to determine the option that is best for you.

IMMUNIZATIONS: Prior to contact with patients or patient specimens, students must furnish proof of childhood immunizations and Hepatitis B immunization. Contact program chairperson for additional information.

A physical exam will be required upon acceptance to the program.

Cost
Estimated cost of tuition is $4,600 (tuition rated for Florida residents, as of 7/04). Estimated cost of books, materials and fees is $1,500.