Nov 25, 2024  
2020-2021 College Catalog 
    
2020-2021 College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Medical Laboratory Technician, AAS


Prepare for a career in medical laboratory technology through classroom study and supervised clinical experience. Learn about blood, analysis of body fluids, bacteriology, parasitology, clinical chemistry and other aspects of medical laboratory technology.

This program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

For more information on program accreditation:
NAACLS
8410 West Bryn Mawr, Suite 670
Chicago, IL 60631
(773) 714-8880
www.naacls.org

Before enrolling in this program, you must meet certain requirements.

  • This degree program requires a special program application. Students may request a program application when all prerequisites are complete. In addition, students must have completed the preparatory coursework (with grades posted) before they may begin the application process.

To participate in the clinical portion of the program, students must:

  • Obtain an Arizona Department of Public Safety Fingerprint Clearance Card.
  • Pass a urine toxicology screening exam from a certified laboratory.
  • Provide proof of immunity status to Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Hepatitis B Virus.
  • Provide proof of immunization to Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Influenza.
  • Provide proof of a two-step negative TB skin test or alternate documentation of TB status, including a chest x-ray or blood work.
  • Provide proof of health insurance coverage.
  • Provide a declaration of health from a licensed care provider.

Essential Functions

To successfully participate in the PCC MLT program and become employable in a medical facility, the student should be able to perform essential functions expected of the working professional. Some examples of these essential functions are:

  • Vision: Should possess visual acuity, color, shade and depth perception to accurately perform and interpret laboratory tests. Must be able to read computer screens, specimen/reagent labels, and warning signs.
  • Communication: Should possess the ability to clearly and accurately communicate with patients and health care professionals, and to accurately follow verbal and written instructions.
  • Physical Activity: Should be able to stand and/or sit for prolonged periods and move freely and safely through the laboratory. Should be able to grasp, sit, squat, stoop, bend, reach, push, pull, and lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
  • Manual Dexterity: Should possess sufficient hand-eye coordination to efficiently, accurately and safely operate laboratory equipment, such as pipettes, inoculating loops, precision instrumentation, and perform phlebotomy procedures.

NOTE: Students in the Medical Laboratory Technician program may be exposed to potentially infectious blood, tissues, and body fluids.

What can I do with this degree?

Career Options: Work in the clinical laboratory of a hospital, clinic, reference laboratory, blood bank, coroner’s office or in biomedical research.
Academic Options: While this program was not designed to transfer to a 4-year university, it may apply toward Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) or other programs. See Pima’s Transfer Partnerships (https://www.pima.edu/student-resources/transferring-from-pima/index.html) page to determine which universities offer BAS programs, and research how the universities may accept this program in transfer.

Department/Contact Information:

Dean: 520-206-5105

Limited Admissions Program:

Students must meet the preparatory coursework and any other prerequisites and apply to the program. Depending on available spots, students may be placed on a waiting list before starting the program. See the website or an advisor for details.

Medical Lab Tech Interest Program/Major Codes: AOA9ALA/9MLT
Medical Lab Tech Program/Major Codes: AASMLT/MLT1

Preparatory Coursework


Students must have completed the following preparatory coursework before they may begin the application process.

Subtotal: 8-16 Credits


General Education Requirements


A grade of C or better is required for graduation. Course lists for each General Education category listed below can be found in the General Education Requirements for AAS Degrees .

Communication Requirement: †


  • WRT 101   fulfills this requirement.

Arts and Humanities Requirement: 3-4 Credits


Social and Behavioral Sciences Requirement: 3 Credits


Mathematics and Science Requirement: †


  • BIO 205IN  and the Math Preparatory Coursework fulfill this requirement

Other Requirement: 3 Credits


Special Requirement


Subtotal: 9-10 Credits ¥


Subtotal: 45 Credits


Required Support Courses


A grade of C or better is required for graduation.

Subtotal: 8 Credits


Total Credits as Displayed (not including preparatory coursework): 62-63 Credits


Total Credits as Displayed (including preparatory coursework): 70-79 Credits


† Core or support course(s) fulfill this requirement.
¥ General Education requires a minimum of 15 credits. This subtotal shows the Gen Ed credits not fulfilled by core or support courses.
# Only one of these courses may be repeated one time. If a course needs to be repeated, re-entry into the remaining courses will be based on space availability.
Δ Courses with the “IN” suffix are the integrated versions of the combined lecture and lab courses. For example, MLT 100  and MLT 100LB  combined are equivalent to MLT 100IN , and together may be substituted for MLT 100IN .