Medical Laboratory Technician

Associate Degree

68 Credits

Monroe Campus

Flexible Learning Options

Explore MyEdChoice classes. You can attend in-person or online because this option allows you to choose how you attend each class and does not lock you into one format. Learn more about all of our flexible class options here.

Several classes in this program are offered in one or more of the following formats:

What You’ll Learn

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.

BTC’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.

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Estimated Program Costs & Potential Earnings

68 Credits

$12,305

Paying For College

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Median Wage

$59,200

*based on EMSI Occupational Employment Statistics

Potential Careers

Medical Laboratory Technician
Lab Technician
Laboratory Assistant
Clinical Laboratory Assistant

Career Pathway

Previous education and work experience could qualify for Credit for Prior Learning saving you time and money. Find out more about what may apply to this program.

Medical Laboratory Technician

Blackhawk has more than 70 college and university transfer agreements. Learn more.

Additional Program Information

Accreditation

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.

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the Medical Lab Technology (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 BTC 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.

Information Meetings

Information Meetings
Students are strongly advised to attend a program information meeting prior to registering for program courses. Topics included in these meetings include:

College application and admission
Financial aid
Course registration
Health requirements and background check
Classes and schedules
Program policy and procedure

For more information on program information meetings, contact (608) 329-8206.

Program Outcomes and Statistics

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 2022 – 100% completion
Program's Graduation and Attrition Rates Class of 2021 - 100% completion
Program's Graduation and Attrition Rates Class of 2020 – 100% completion

Program Statistics – Certification

Program's Graduate Certification Pass Rates Class of 2022 – 87% (Those who sat for certification)
Program's Graduate Certification Pass Rates Class of 2021 – 100% (Those who sat for certification)
Program's Graduate Certification Pass Rates Class of 2020 – 81% (Those who sat for certification)

Program Statistics – Job Placement

Program's Graduate Job Placement Rates Class of 2022 – 100%
Program's Graduate Job Placement Rates Class of 2021– 100%
Program's Graduate Job Placement Rates Class of 2020 – 100%

Wage Information and Non-Traditional Occupation

Wage Information

Non-Traditional Occupation

This program may lead to a non-traditional occupation for males. Visit the Non-Traditional Occupations page to learn more.

Medical Laboratory Technician

Flexible Learning Options

What You’ll Learn

Career Pathway

Additional Program Information

Accreditation

Admission Requirements

Information Meetings

Program Outcomes and Statistics

Wage Information and Non-Traditional Occupation

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