The Medical Laboratory Technology AAS program at Raritan Valley Community College provides students with the foundation in clinical laboratory sciences required for entry into the healthcare field as a medical laboratory technician and prepares students to function effectively as a member of a medical laboratory team. Through a combination of classroom, laboratory, and clinical experiences in clinical microbiology, clinical chemistry, hematology, immunology, immunohematology, and urinalysis, students will learn how to perform diagnostic laboratory tests used in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. The program will prepare students to take the national MLT(ASCP) certification exam.
The program is composed of two segments – the MLT Pre-Clinical Program that consists primarily of 100-level General Education foundation courses and the MLT Clinical Program that includes 100 and 200-level clinical laboratory courses and clinical rotations.
Students interested in pursuing the MLT Clinical Program will initially enroll in the AS in Health Science degree as Pre-MLT majors. Students must complete the MLT Pre-Clinical Program requirements in order to become eligible to apply for selective admission to the MLT Clinical Program. The MLT Clinical Program requires full-time attendance, and students are only admitted to the program for a July start. The MLT Clinical Program will run from July through June. During this time, students must be available to take classes during the day and have reliable transportation to all clinical sites. In some cases, clinical rotations may be scheduled during the evening or overnight shifts. A minimum grade of ‘C’ is required in each MLTC course for continued matriculation in the MLT Clinical Program.
All Pre-Clinical Program Requirements or equivalent transfer credit must have a minimum grade of ‘C’ and must be completed prior to the application deadline. Science and Math courses (BIOL, CHEM, MATH) must be taken no more than ten years prior to application for the MLT Clinical Program. A cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required, including courses transferred from a previous institution. Applicants who have not completed MLTC 100 prior to the application deadline will be allowed to take the course in the first year of the Clinical Program if accepted into the program.
Applicants are required to take the Accuplacer exam prior to the application deadline. Admission to the MLT Clinical Program is conditional based on completion of medical requirements. Applicants are required to complete a background check, drug screen, and color-blindness test and to submit proof of required immunizations. Readmission within two years, if approved, is always on a space available basis and is only allowed once.
The College has applied for accreditation by NAACLS:
The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
5600 N. River Road
Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018-5119
Phone: 847-939-3597
Once accredited, graduates of the MLT program will be eligible to sit for the Board of Certification examination. The granting of a degree from Raritan Valley Community College is not contingent upon the passing of the certification examination.
Graduates are able to:
- collect and process biological samples using standardized laboratory practices
- accurately perform analytical testing and correlate the test results with human health
- comply with state and federal regulations governing clinical laboratories
- demonstrate effective communication as a member of a medical laboratory team
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