Medical Laboratory Technician
The Medical Laboratory Technician program prepares students to work under supervision of a medical technologist, pathologist or other qualified physician in a medical laboratory. A technician performs tests that aid in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. This program offers students the opportunity to take two semesters of study at Northeast Iowa Community College and a summer term plus one semester at Hawkeye Community College (HCC) in Waterloo, Iowa before completing the 24-week clinical internship. NICC is an academic affiliate of the Medical Laboratory Technician program at HCC.
Paying for the Program
Out-of-State Tuition & Fees: $6,216*
Career Outlook
Estimated annual salary range for Health Sciences graduates based on EMSI. Salary range represents 10th percentile - median annual wage for related occupations within a 100-mile radius from the center distance between Calmar and Peosta Campuses.
Potential Careers
- Clinical Research Assistant
- Laboratory Technician
- Medical Laboratory Assistant
- Specimen Processor
- Apply for admission.
- Apply for admission at Hawkeye Community College.
- Submit official high school, high school equivalency and/or college transcripts to the Admissions Office of the campus you plan to attend.
- Complete ACCUPLACER® reading and writing assessment and ALEKS® math assessment for course placement. Assessments may be waived based on previous college coursework or submission of valid ACT®, ACT Compass® or ALEKS® test scores. ACCUPLACER® scores are valid for three years, and ALEKS® scores are valid for 18 months.
Program Admission Requirements
The health sciences programs have additional admission requirements including background checks, health records and training requirements. Please review these requirements for program admission.
Current physical and immunization records are required prior to the start of the clinical laboratory courses. You may also be required to complete a criminal record/child and adult abuse registry check for some clinical affiliations. A positive report may prevent you from attendance in clinical and completion of the program. You may be required to take preparatory courses in math, biology and chemistry prior to entering college courses. Students are subject to meeting all clinical requirements established by HCC.
Fall
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO:168 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I w/Lab | 4.0 |
| CHM:110 | Intro to Chemistry | 3.0 |
| CHM:111 | Intro to Chemistry Lab | 1.0 |
| HSC:114 | Medical Terminology | 3.0 |
| MLT:101 | *Intro to Lab Science | 2.0 |
| SPC:112 | Public Speaking | 3.0 |
Spring
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO:173 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II w/Lab | 4.0 |
| BIO:183 | Microbiology | 3.0 |
| BIO:184 | Microbiology Lab | 1.0 |
| ENG:105 | Composition I | 3.0 |
| MLT:120 | *Urinalysis | 3.0 |
| PSY:111 | Intro to Psychology OR | 3.0 |
| SOC:110 | Intro to Sociology | 3.0 |
Summer
Summer session and second year are completed with Hawkeye Community College (HCC).
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MLT:110 | *Fundamental Lab Techniques | 3.0 |
| MLT:130 | *Hematology | 3.0 |
| MLT:250 | *Clinical Microbiology | 4.0 |
Fall
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MLT:230 | *Advanced Hematology | 3.0 |
| MLT:233 | *Hemostasis and Thrombosis | 2.0 |
| MLT:240 | *Clinical Chemistry I | 7.0 |
| MLT:252 | *Parasitology | 1.0 |
| MLT:260 | *Immunohematology I | 4.0 |
| MLT:270 | *Immunology and Serology | 2.0 |
Spring
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MLT:285 | *Clinical Practicum: Chemistry | 4.0 |
| MLT:287 | *Clinical Practicum: Hematology | 4.0 |
| MLT:288 | *Clinical Practicum: Microbiology | 4.0 |
Summer
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MLT:283 | *Clinical Practicum: Urinalysis | 1.0 |
| MLT:284 | *Clinical Practicum: Immunohematology | 2.0 |
| MLT:286 | *Clinical Practicum: Immunology and Serology | 1.0 |
| MLT:291 | *Lab Survey and Review | 1.0 |
*Course taken through HCC.
Fall term 1: Students may take BIO:163 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology at Hawkeye in place of BIO:168 at NICC.
Spring term 2: Students may take BIO:113 Biology of Organisms or CHM:132 Fundamentals of Organic and Biochemistry at Hawkeye in place of BIO:173 at NICC.
To graduate from this program, students must complete all required coursework with a "C-" grade or above and earn a minimum 2.0 grade point average. This Associate of Applied Science degree is awarded from Hawkeye Community College.
Upon completion of the prescribed curriculum, the student is awarded an AAS degree from HCC and is eligible for the national board examination through the American Society of Clinical Pathology. The Medical Laboratory Technician program at HCC is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS).
The Medical Laboratory Technician program at Hawkeye Community College, of which NICC is an academic affiliate, is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Services (NAACLS), a non-profit organization that independently accredits clinical laboratory science programs.
NAACLS
5600 N River Rd, Suite 720
Rosemont IL 60018-5119
773.714.8880
Certification/Licensure
Graduates are eligible to take the national certification exam from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Essential requirements for Medical Laboratory Technicians are provided so that potential applicants can independently evaluate their own ability to fulfill the expected requirements of a Medical Laboratory Technician. See Essential requirements on Hawkeye Community College's website.
The Medical Laboratory Technician program currently has transfer opportunities in place with Allen College. Students are encouraged to speak with representatives at their intended transfer institution to verify that their planned courses at NICC will meet requirements.
Laura Menke, R.N., A.D.N., B.S.N., M.Ed.
Dean of Allied Health
- Email: menkela@nicc.edu
- Phone: 844.642.2338, ext. 2498
- Location: Peosta