Medical Laboratory Technician
Medical Laboratory Technician
Subject Area: Health Sciences
Award: Associate of Applied Science
Minimum Credits: 29 plus Hawkeye Community College coursework
Location: Calmar, Peosta
Entry: Fall
Description
The Medical Laboratory Technician program offers students the opportunity to take two semesters of study at Northeast Iowa Community College, a summer term and one semester at Hawkeye Community College (HCC) in Waterloo before completing the 24-week clinical internship. NICC is an academic affiliate of the Medical Laboratory Technician program at HCC.
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.
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.
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Enrollment Process
- Applicants must complete applications for both NICC and HCC. Apply for admission at NICC.
- 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.
In addition to the College admission procedures outlined, applicants must apply for admission at Hawkeye Community College.
Program Admission
The health sciences programs require 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.
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Academic Requirements
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 HIT:140 Medical Terminology 4.0 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 session and second year are completed with Hawkeye Community College (HCC).Summer 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.
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Employment Information
With an annual income range of $30,303 - $40,843 and a projected growth of 5.0%, the career outlook for Medical Laboratory Technician graduates is growing.
Source: 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. Growth rate based on projections from 2017-2021.Future Ready Iowa is an initiative led by the governor to build Iowa’s talent pipeline by meeting the goal of 70 percent of all Iowans to have a two- or four-year college degree, industry recognized certificate or other credential that meets employer need by 2025. Northeast Iowa Community College has the programs necessary to meet this goal.
Employers of Graduates
(from Hawkeye Community College)
Allen Memorial Hospital, Waterloo, IA
Mercy Hospital, Iowa City, IA
Mercy Medical Center - North Iowa, Mason City, IA
United Clinical Labs, Dubuque, IA
Wheaton Franciscan Hospitals, Waterloo, IASample Job Titles
Assistant, Laboratory
Clinical Research Assistant
Histological Aide
Laboratory Assistant, Blood and Plasma
Laboratory Technician
Laboratory Worker
Medical Laboratory Assistant
Pathologist Assistant
Specimen Processor -
Additional Information
Certification/Licensure
Graduates of this program may take a national certification examination. Because of the increased demand for laboratory services, certified workers are needed in hospital laboratories, clinics, physicians’ offices, public health agencies, research institutions and the armed forces. Upon graduation, you may also continue your education at a four-year institution to become a medical technologist.
Essential requirements for MLTs are provided so that potential applicants can independently evaluate their own ability to fulfill the expected requirements of an MLT. See Essential requirements on Hawkeye Community College's website.
Accreditation
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).
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Transfer Information
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.
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Contacts
Laura Menke
Dean of Allied Health
563.556.5110, ext. 498
menkela@nicc.edu