Consistent with the philosophy of the College, the Medical Laboratory Technician curriculum combines science and technical courses with a liberal arts foundation to prepare graduates for entry into the field of medical laboratory technology.  The student-focused curriculum provides an emphasis on liberal arts studies and includes courses in general and medical laboratory sciences and a structured clinical practicum.
    Medical Laboratory Technicians perform routine laboratory analyses which aid physicians by providing information used for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.  The program offers the necessary academic and clinical instruction that prepares students for employment as members of the healthcare delivery team.  Graduates may find employment in hospital laboratories, physician offices, private/reference laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, or industrial laboratories.  
    An integral part of the program is a 25-week clinical rotation at an affiliated hospital laboratory.  Students receive hands on experience working with certified technicians and technologists in the clinical laboratory setting.

Students will complete their clinical rotations at one or more of the following clinical affiliates:
DuBois Regional Medical Center, DuBois, PA
Nason Hospital, Roaring Spring, PA
J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital, Huntingdon, PA
Winder Medical Center, Windber, PA
Brookville Hospital, Brookville, PA
Punxsutawney Area Hospital, Punxsutawney, PA
Elk Reginal Medical Center, St. Mary's, PA (Limited)

The Medical Laboratory Technician Program is accredited by:

NAACLS: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
5600 N. River Road, Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018
Phone: (773) 714-8880
Fax: (773) 714-8886
www.naacls.org

Prerequisites and requirements for entering the Associate Degree Medical Laboratory Technician Program:
    1.        For acceptance at the freshmen level:  
            a.        Complete work equal to standard high school course with satisfactory
                    achievement (grade of “C” or better) in Algebra and Chemistry within the
                    previous five years.
            b.    SAT score (combined total of verbal and math portions) of 900 or above (or
                    comparable ACT score).
            c.        Incoming students are placed in Educational Enrichment courses based on
                    their SAT or ACT scores.  
            d.    Complete all required Educational Enrichment courses with a minimum of
                    “C” prior to program acceptance.
    2.        Complete all general education course work with a grade of “C” or better.
    3.        Students are required to submit a completed health form including medical
            history, physical examination and immunization, and lgG antibody lab titers                               indicating immunity for rubella, rubeola, mumps, and varicella. Students must             comply with all health requirements as outlined on the form.  
            Clinical experience will not be permitted without the completed health form.  
            Health forms are obtained from the Health Services Department and returned
            to the Health Services Department where the results are kept confidential.
    4.        Students are required to have a current clear urine drug screen, submit to a
            criminal record check and have a child abuse history clearance.
    5.        Students in a Health Studies Division curriculum are assessed a one-time fee
            to cover incidental expenses connected with your program’s clinical education.
            American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR certification (Adult,
            Child, Infant and AED), urine drug screening and TB testing are included in
            this fee and will be available through Health Services at specified times only.  
            One criminal background check, one child abuse clearance (if required) and
            one urine drug screen are included in the fee.  If additional criminal back
            ground checks, child abuse clearances or urine drug screens are required, the
            student is responsible for any additional cost.
    6.        Students are required to have a current American Heart Association
            Healthcare Provider CPR Certification (Adult, Child, Infant and AED).
    7.        Students are responsible for their own transportation and incidental expenses
            related to participating in clinical practicum education.

Essential Functions

All Medical Laboratory Technician students at Mount Aloysius College must submit a completed Health Form. This form can obtained from the Health Services office and includes information on family and personal health history, a physical examination and clinical evaluation completed by a qualified health care practitioner and documentation of immunizations and titers.

The practice of Medical Laboratory Technology requires that a person have certain essential technical abilities and skills in order to effectively perform the necessary competencies required of Medical Laboratory Technicians. The following is a list of essential functions that applicants for admission must possess:

• Gross and Fine Motor Skills: The ability to use hand(s) with coordination and the ability to maneuver small objects with fingertips
• Physical Mobility: The ability to move in and around the laboratory; the ability to maneuver in patient care areas for the purpose of performing the phlebotomy procedure
• Physical Strength and Endurance: The ability to stand and sit for extended periods of time; the ability to lift and handle laboratory equipment and supplies
• Visual Acuity: The ability to read procedures, computer screens and labels; the ability to distinguish colors, distinguish clear from cloudy and the ability to see objects through a microscope
• Auditory: The ability to hear information and instructions that are communicated verbally
• Communication: The ability to receive and convey information by way of reading, writing and speaking in the English language*
• Adaptability: The ability to accurately and safely perform assigned tasks under stressful conditions

Students who do not meet these minimum essential functions will not be able to satisfactorily complete the clinical requirements. Reasonably accommodations may be available but all adaptive equipment and associated costs are the responsibility of the student. Any questions should be directed to the Medical Laboratory Technician Program Director.

*The inability to communicate in the English language does not preclude an individual from practicing as a Medical Laboratory Technician. At this time, the clinical sites utilized by the Mount Aloysius College Medical Laboratory Technician Program cannot reasonably accommodate students who communicate in languages other than the English language.