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Medical Laboratory Technician

If you are someone who likes to solve puzzles, has an aptitude for science, and is fascinated by how the human body works, then the role of medical laboratory technician could be for you. A medical laboratory tech works behind the scenes, testing blood or other specimens to help doctors detect illnesses and diseases in order to determine the best course of treatment. It’s where science meets medicine and it’s a fascinating career for someone who is curious, analytical, and interested in playing a key role in saving lives through the diagnosis and prevention of disease. It’s a growing field too, as the demand for medical laboratory technicians is high and continues to increase.

Blackhawk's Medical Laboratory Technician program prepares you for an entry-level position in a clinic, hospital, or doctor’s office working in various areas of the lab such as microbiology or chemistry. There is always the opportunity for career growth, such as epidemiology, forensic medicine, and biomedical manufacturing. Many hospitals and clinics offer tuition reimbursement if you decide to pursue additional degrees. The program is full or part-time with some classes offered online, face-to-face, and within our FlexLab option. The final semester is your clinical experience where you will spend 32 hours a week in laboratories in community healthcare facilities. We offer the program at our Monroe campus in a tight-knit structure giving you the attention you need to succeed.

Tuition & Potential Earnings

Estimated Tuition Cost

$12,583

Median Wage

$61,700

Based on Lightcast Occupational Employment Statistics

Academic Plan

  • Basic Laboratory Skills
  • Phlebotomy
  • Quality Assurance Laboratory Math
  • Basic Immunology Concepts
  • English Composition 1
  • General Anatomy and Physiology
  • General, Organic and Biological Chemistry
For course credits and descriptions, visit the Blackhawk Catalog.

  • Intermediate Laboratory Skills
  • Blood Bank
  • Basic Hematology
  • Coagulation
  • Speech
  • Microbiology
For course credits and descriptions, visit the Blackhawk Catalog.

  • Introduction to Sociology
  • Introduction to Psychology
For course credits and descriptions, visit the Blackhawk Catalog.

  • Urinalysis
  • Clinical Chemistry
  • Advanced Hematology
  • Clinical Microbiology
  • Introduction to Molecular Diagnostics
For course credits and descriptions, visit the Blackhawk Catalog.

  • Quality Concepts in Laboratories
  • Advanced Microbiology
  • Clinical Experience 1
  • Clinical Experience 2
  • Clinical Portfolio
For course credits and descriptions, visit the Blackhawk Catalog.

Flexible Learning Options

Many courses at Blackhawk are offered in one or more of these formats:

  • In-Person
  • Live Online (synchronous)
  • Online Anytime (asynchronous)
  • FlexLab (in-person when it fits your schedule)

For some courses, we offer a MyEdChoice option, allowing you to choose how to attend each class session. You can switch between online and in-person formats from week to week or even day to day, depending on your needs and schedule. More Information

In Person
MyEdChoice
Hybrid
FlexLab

Get Credit For Your Experience!

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Start Your Journey to Success Today

Get in touch with an advisor to discuss program details, curriculum, credit transfer options, and financial aid opportunities.

Additional Program Information

The Blackhawk Technical College Medical Laboratory Technician Associate Degree Program is accredited through the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS), 5600 N. River Rd, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018; (773) 714-8880; info@naacls.org

A combination of fundamental laboratory techniques and clinical experience prepares graduates for work in laboratories serving the health care sector. The final semester of the program is a clinical experience in laboratories in community healthcare facilities. Students must petition to enter the clinical MLT classes, and should anticipate the possibility of traveling to complete the clinical experience. Graduates of the program qualify for the American Society of Clinical Pathologists Board of Registry certification exam for medical laboratory technicians under the direction of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.

To be admitted to the Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program, the student is required to have mandatory attendance at a Blackhawk Technical College MLT program orientation. This orientation occurs in the Summer Quality Assurance Laboratory Math Course, or is scheduled individually if necessary. High School Chemistry or College Chemistry Prep and High School Algebra or General College Math Review are required for entrance into the MLT program.

Once admitted to the program, the following requirements must be met in order to participate in the clinical experience.

  • Caregiver background check
  • Physical exam and completed personal history form on file prior to the beginning the fourth-semester clinical rotation
  • Successful completion of all program courses with a C or better.

This program is offered at the Monroe Campus.

Program Outcomes

  • Apply modern clinical methodologies, including problem-solving and troubleshooting, according to predetermined criteria
  • Collect and process biological and other specimens
  • Perform and report results of clinical laboratory tests
  • Apply laboratory results to diagnosis of clinical conditions and/or diseases
  • Communicate with colleagues and patients in a professional manner
  • Participate in training peers on technical skills
  • Monitor and evaluate quality control in the laboratory
  • Practice laboratory safety and regulatory compliance
  • Perform information processing in the clinical laboratory
  • Model professional behaviors, ethics, and appearance

Program Statistics – Graduation

  • Program's Graduation and Attrition Rates Class of 2024– 100% completion
  • Program's Graduation and Attrition Rates Class of 2023– 100% completion
  • Program's Graduation and Attrition Rates Class of 2022- 100% completion

Program Statistics – Certification

  • Program's Graduate Certification Pass Rates Class of 2024 – 50% (Those who sat for certification)
  • Program's Graduate Certification Pass Rates Class of 2023 – 60% (Those who sat for certification)
  • Program's Graduate Certification Pass Rates Class of 2022 – 87% (Those who sat for certification)

Program Statistics – Job Placement

  • Program's Graduate Job Placement Rates Class of 2024 – 100%
  • Program's Graduate Job Placement Rates Class of 2023– 100%
  • Program's Graduate Job Placement Rates Class of 2022 – 100%
Medical Laboratory Technician

Highlights

Associate Degree

68 Credits

Monroe Campus

210 Fourth Ave., Monroe, WI 53566

Potential Careers

Medical Laboratory Technician

Lab Technician

Laboratory Assistant

Clinical Laboratory Assistant

Career Pathways

A Career Pathway is a step-by-step plan designed to lead you to career success and advancement.

1

University Transfer

Earning a bachelor’s degree has never been more convenient and affordable! We offer a variety of options for students who want to achieve a four-year degree.