Medical Laboratory Technology Program

The Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) performs a variety of laboratory tests in blood banking, chemistry, hematology, immunology, microbiology and urinalysis. These professionals are dedicated, self-motivated, problem-solvers, like challenge and responsibility, are accurate and reliable, work well under pressure, communicate well, set high standards for themselves and are fascinated by science. The tests they perform may include determining a patient’s blood glucose or cholesterol level, typing and cross matching blood samples for transfusions or culturing body fluids to determine the pres¬ence or absence of infection.

Program Overview:

The MLT Program at Fairmont State offers an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree and is a component of the Community and Technical College. Preparation for a career as a Medical Laboratory Technician requires a solid foundation of biology, chemistry and math in high school as well as computer skills. In addition, it is necessary to complete both formal and clinical courses through an accredited program in medical laboratory technology. The MLT Program at Fairmont State is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 8410 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 670, Chicago, Illinois 60631-3415, phone 773-714-8880.

The MLT program is currently affiliated with several medical institutions, including:
Davis Memorial Hospital, Elkins; Fairmont Clinic, Fairmont General Hospital, and Laboratory Corporation of America, Fairmont; Grafton City Hospital, Grafton; St. Joseph’s Hospital, Buckhannon; Preston Memorial Hospital, Kingwood; Stonewall Jackson Hospital, Weston; The Washington Hospital, Washington, PA; The Institute for Transfusion Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA; and United Hospital Center, Inc. and Louis A. Johnson V.A. Medical Center; Clarksburg, WV.
Since clinical affiliates may be added or dropped at any time, a current listing is maintained in the office of the Program Director.

**Some clinical affiliates may require background clearances.

 

Employment:

Medical Laboratory Technicians work in a variety of settings. They are employed by hospitals, physician office laboratories, reference laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, research laboratories, veterinary laboratories, clinics, public health facilities, and business and industry. The National Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that by the year 2006 there will be 70,000 job openings for technicians and technologists in clinical laboratories due to growth and net replacements. 

Advancement Opportunities

The A.A.S. degree in Medical Laboratory Technology is quite versatile. Graduates of the Program may choose to continue their education and earn a baccalaureate degree in Allied Health Administration, Biology, or even Business. Some graduates choose to become a Medical Technologist. This requires earning a baccalaureate degree and having either three years of clinical laboratory experience or graduating from a NAACLS accredited program in Medical Technology.