Medical Laboratory Technology

Medical Laboratory Technician

The Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) Program provides quality didactic and clinical education and instruction in clinical laboratory sciences.  The program prepares its graduates to function as competent entry-level professionals in laboratory testing.  Medical Laboratory Technicians perform analytical tests on human body fluids and tissues, providing data essential for diagnosis, treatment, and management of disease or for the maintenance of wellness. Program graduates are eligible to take national certification examinations and make application for Tennessee Licensure as Medical Laboratory Technicians.

All MLT in-person courses except clinical practicums are taught at the Claiborne campus in New Tazewell, Tennessee

This program is designed for the student who does not intend to transfer to a baccalaureate

degree program.

Degree: Associate of Applied Science

Emphasis: Medical Laboratory Technology

Program Accreditation

The Walters State Community College MLT Program will apply for accreditation with the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS http://www.naacls.org), 5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720, Rosemont, Illinois 60018; (773) 714-8880. 

Certificate to Operate

The Walters State Community College MLT Program will apply for a certificate to operate with the Tennessee Medical Laboratory Board in Nashville, Tennessee located at Metro Center Complex, 665 Mainstream Drive, 2nd Floor, Nashville, TN 37243; (615) 532-3202.

MLT General Admission Requirements

Admission to the program is on a limited and competitive basis. Eligibility for admission does not imply or guarantee admission to the program.

Students will be initially enrolled in the Associate of Science in Health Sciences – MLT Path. Once a student makes application and is accepted into a selective-admissions program, they will be enrolled into that specific program.

Any student desiring to pursue an Associate of Applied Science in Medical Laboratory Technology must:

1. Apply, meet admission requirements, and be accepted by Walters State Community College.
2. Indicate AS Health Sciences - Medical Laboratory Technology as the desired major on the WSCC application form.
3. Follow college policy for advising prior to registration.
4. In order to be eligible for admission into the MLT program, students must have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale; excluding Learning Support courses).
5. Complete all required Learning Support courses no later than the end of the spring semester the year the student elects to participate in the selection process.
6. Successfully complete the following with a grade of “C” or better: ENGL 1010, MATH 1530, BIOL 2010/2011, BIOL 2020/2021, PSYC 1030, 3 hours Humanities/Fine Arts elective, COMM 2025, MLAB 1301, BIOL 2230/2231 (or CHEM 1010/1011 or higher) no later than the end of spring semester of the year the student elects to participate in the selection process for fall semester MLT class.
7. Biological science courses previously taken must have been completed within the last 10 years.
8. Attain a grade of C or better in all required MLT-degree general education courses.
9. Submit the required pre-admission test scores. See program director or clinical application for specific test information.
10. Students may not audit any MLT courses without the approval of the dean of Health Programs and/or MLT program director.

 

Any exceptions to the above policies must be approved by the Medical Laboratory Technology Admissions Committee.

 

Clinical Medical Laboratory Technology Program Application Requirements

A student who has completed the pre-clinical requirements and has met the general admission requirements is eligible to apply for admission to the clinical MLT program.  To apply for admission into the clinical MLT program, the student must complete and submit a “Request for Admission into Clinical MLT” form to the MLT department prior to May 15^th. The student must submit a current transcript from each college attended. Completion of pre-clinical requirements does not guarantee admission.

• Complete prerequisites, general education requirements and submission of required documents
• Maintain an overall 2.0 GPA (excluding Learning Support courses)
• Complete the online MLT program application by the application deadline.
• Application, documentation and results of designated admissions test must be received by the health programs department no later than May 15 of the year the student elects to participate in the selection process for the fall semester MLT class.
• Must be 18 years old by the application deadline as published on the program webpage.

 

Selection and Notification to the Clinical Medical Laboratory Technology Program

1. Selection of each class will be made by the Admissions Committee whose membership may consist of:
   1. MLT Program Director
   2. MLT Director of Clinical Education
   3. MLT Medical Director
   4. MLT Advisory Board Committee Members
   5. Dean of Health Programs
   6. Vice President for Academic Affairs (ex officio)
2. The Admission Committee will rank each student on the basis of predetermined criteria (see website for published ranking tool). The criteria include but are not limited to:

 

1. 1. Designated Admissions test optional or ACT composite score of 19 or greater (test scores must be less than 5 years old)*.
   2. Overall college GPA.
   3. First grades earned in required sciences and MLAB 1301.
   4. Number of successfully completed courses beyond those required for admission to the clinical MLT program.
   5. Current medical profession licensure/certifications.
   6. Submission of MLT program application by the deadline.

 

3. Transfer Students - Individuals who have attended other colleges and desire to transfer into the WSCC MLT program will be considered on an individual basis. Transfer requests should be directed to the MLT program director. Transfer students must meet the same standards and criteria as others desiring to pursue an associate degree in Medical Laboratory Technology at WSCC. A student may be required to audit a designated MLT course.
4. Transfer and Returning Students - Credit for MLT courses must have been earned within the last five years to be considered, unless a waiver is granted by the MLT program director. Credit for Biological science courses must have been earned within the past 10 years to be considered.
5. WSCC and transfer students selected for the fall semester will be notified in writing and/or email.
6. Students notified of admission into the MLT program must return the following by the date specified on the form:
   1. a signed and dated acknowledgment of the Drug/Alcohol Abuse Policy and consent forms.
   2. a comprehensive health examination with documentation of required immunizations or titers showing immunity.
7. Students who do not respond or who do not plan to attend will have their positions filled by other applicants selected by the MLT program director from the list recommended by the Admission and Progression Committee.
8. Students not selected for admission may reapply for admission.
9. Contact the MLT program director for additional information.

 

*ACT RESIDUAL and pre-assessment exams can be scheduled through the counseling and testing office at WSCC.

Health and Physical Considerations for MLT Students

Because the college seeks to provide in as much as possible a reasonably safe environment for its health career students and their patients, a student may be required, during the course of the program, to demonstrate their physical and/or emotional fitness to meet the essential requirements of the program.  Such essential requirements may include freedom from communicable diseases, the ability to perform certain physical tasks, and suitable emotional fitness.  Any appraisal measures used to determine such physical and/or emotional fitness will be in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, so as not to discriminate against any individual on the basis of disability.

Students are strongly encouraged to carry a personal health insurance policy, which is required by a majority of clinical affiliation sites.

 

Criminal Background Checks and Drug Screen

Criminal background checks and drug screening are a requirement at affiliated clinical sites used for training in healthcare related programs. Based on the results of these checks, an affiliated clinical site may determine to not allow your presence at their facility.  This would result in your inability to successfully complete the requirements of the program. Students will be responsible for the costs of the background check. Additionally, a criminal background may preclude certification with licensure or employment. More information is available from your program director.

 

Progression/Retention Policies

To remain in good standing once admitted to the MLT program, the student must:

1. Adhere to all WSCC, MLT program, and clinical agencies policies.
2. Earn a “C” or better in each MLT course and maintain a 2.0 GPA overall.
3. Satisfactorily complete the theory, clinical and skills requirements of each MLT course, including exhibiting safe and competent clinical behavior as defined by written criteria given to each MLT student. A grade of “F” in any course will deny the student the ability to continue in the program.
4. Demonstrate professional, ethical, and legal conduct.
5. Maintain professional liability insurance.
6. Maintain CPR certification.
7. Submit to a drug test if requested by the office of Student Affairs, Dean of Health Programs or director of the MLT Program at any time during the program. Refusal to submit to a drug screen and/or a positive drug test is grounds for immediate dismissal.
8. Most clinical affiliates require drug screening. Refusal to submit to a drug screen and/or a positive test is grounds for immediate dismissal.
9. Individuals who have been convicted of crimes other than minor traffic violations could be ineligible for MLT licensure in the State of Tennessee, even though they have successfully completed the Medical Laboratory Technology Program. (See Criminal Background Check Requirement in the Health Programs portion of the catalog.)
10. Complete a comprehensive health examination and submit the required form to the director of the MLT program by the designated date.

Readmission Policies

A student who has earned a “D” or “F” in a medical laboratory technology course or who has withdrawn from the program may apply for readmission under the following considerations:

1. To be considered for readmission to the MLT program after academic failure or withdrawal by the end of the first semester, a student will be required to proceed through the regular selection and acceptance procedures along with all other candidates for the following year.
2. A student who withdraws or is unsuccessful academically after the first semester must complete the following: (a) a written request to the MLT program director for consideration of readmission; (b) attend a readmissions committee hearing to be scheduled by the committee. The MLT program director will respond in writing and will provide the student with date, location, and time of readmission hearing.
3. Readmission committee is composed of the MLT academic faculty and faculty from other Health Programs.
4. First-time students will be given priority in clinical rotation placement. Second-time (readmitted) students will be placed in clinicals when space is available. This may mean a delayed graduation date. Every effort will be made to place all students in clinicals during scheduled times.
5. If a student is readmitted to the MLT program, auditing of designated MLT courses, successful completion of skill testing, and laboratory practicals may be required.
6. A student must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 to be considered for readmission.
7. Any student is allowed only two attempts to complete the MLT program.
8. A student repeating a MLT course must repeat both the theory and clinical components of the course.
9. Students who are dismissed for reasons associated with academic misconduct or code of ethics violations will not be considered for readmission.
10. Students who have experienced a clinical failure in a healthcare program or were dismissed due to unethical, unprofessional and/or illegal conduct are not eligible for admission.

Completion of this program does not guarantee employment. The applicant should realize relocation may be necessary in order to obtain employment.