Medical laboratory technicians and technologists search for clues to the absence, presence, extent and causes of disease. They must be accurate, dedicated, and highly skilled in the use of the investigative tools available in the laboratory.

As part of a team of laboratory professionals, the Medical Laboratory Technician can make a difference in the course and outcome of a disease process. Other members of the team include a physician who specializes in laboratory medicine (pathologist), medical technologists (Bachelor of Science degree), cytotechnologists, histotechnologists, and various support personnel, such as phlebotomists (“blood-drawers”).

The goal of the MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY program is to equip you with entry-level job responsibilities. Enrolling in the program offers you the opportunity to complete the necessary education for job entry upon graduation with an Associate in Applied Science degree. The MLT Program is accredited by NAACLS, which assures a high quality education that allows you to complete a national certification examination after graduation. You are not required to take these examinations but since most employers prefer to hire certified personnel, students are strongly encouraged to sit for one of these examinations. KCC students have had a high rate of success in these exams over the last 5 years.

1. An Honorable Profession: As a health care professional, the MLT is recognized as a contributor to the overall improvement of the quality of life within our community.
2. Personal Reward: Knowing that your knowledge and skills make a significant difference in the health of other persons can provide great job satisfaction.
3. Demand: Statistics show many current employers indicate a distinct shortage of qualified laboratory personnel, particularly MLTs. The current national supply of program graduates will be unable to fill the available positions.
4. Compensation: A new MLT can expect a salary in the $27,000-$30,000 per year range, and employers of MLTs traditionally offer good benefit packages. Experienced MLTs earn more as they advance in their profession.
5. Career Flexibility: An MLT acquires skills applicable to a wide variety of fields beyond the clinical laboratory such as chemical, pharmaceutical and food science research, manufacturing quality control, forensic science, and computer applications.
6. Career Ladder: An MLT can easily work an associate's degree into a bachelor's degree through a variety of transfer programs. The ease of transfer, plus the benefit of a vocational program and a nationally recognized credential, make the program in medical laboratory technology particularly attractive to the student who desires the stepping stone approach to attaining career objectives.
7. Dynamic Workplace: The MLT works in an environment where technological advances occur regularly. Because of this, the job never becomes stale or boring.
8. Technological Advances: A position in medical laboratory technology puts you in touch with the latest in "high tech" equipment such as lasers, optics, biotechnology, and computerized electronics.
9. Teamwork: The MLT is an important member of the health care team. Working on the investigative end of the process, the MLT provides the data necessary for a physician to diagnose and properly treat a patient.
10. Training: In as little as two years, a student can acquire all of the skills necessary to become a certified MLT.
    

The KCC Medical Laboratory Technology Program offers you a high quality education with small classes, a well equipped student laboratory, diverse clinical education sites and knowledgeable instructors who care about your success.

The on-campus Medical Laboratory Technology laboratory is very well equipped for student practice of laboratory techniques. Because most Medical Laboratory Technology classes have relatively small numbers of students, there is significant one-on-one time spent with the instructors for teaching and feedback.

There is no housing on campus. Students from out-of-town who do not plan to commute live in apartments in the city or in private homes. Information regarding housing can be obtained from the Academic Advising department on campus (Ext. 2605). Current housing lists are also made available at the time of the orientation session in the summer for students accepted into the program.

Financial Aid information may be obtained by writing or calling the Financial Aid office on campus (Ext. 2617). For an estimate of program costs, check the information on page 9 of this information packet.

The Medical Laboratory Technology Program at Kellogg Community College is a two year Associate Degree program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS, 8410 West Bryn Mawr, Suite 670, Chicago, IL 60631, (773)714-8880).

In accordance with requirements for accreditation, program coursework includes:

1. General education and related science courses, which prepare the student with necessary basic skills in writing and communication and provide a natural and social science foundation upon which other courses in the program build.
2. Professional technical courses in Medical Laboratory Technology designed to train the student to work with laboratory equipment and techniques and to provide a thorough background of theory and rationale upon which to base decisions and judgments.
3. A professional clinical course in which the student applies knowledge and gains practice in laboratory skills, learning and working under the close supervision of experienced medical technologists and technicians. This course, taken the last semester of the program, is an 18-week, full-time experience rotating through all areas of a clinical laboratory.