Academic Catalog - Medical Laboratory Technician AAS

The Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program at Otero College is designed to prepare qualified laboratory professionals for entry level employment in environments such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, and private medical laboratories. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take national examinations to become certified Medical Laboratory Technicians*.

Students will prepare for a career in Medical Laboratory Technology through online/hybrid formats, classroom study, laboratory assignments and supervised clinical experience. They will complete classes in general education along with Hematology, Clinical Chemistry, Clinical Microbiology, Immunohematology/Immunology, Urinalysis, and Parasitology/ Mycology. Students will learn about analysis of blood and body fluids, quality assessment and quality control, blood banking, bacteriology, parasitology and other aspects of medical laboratory technology.

The MLT program is designed for the student to graduate with an AAS degree in 5 semesters. Three semesters will be spent at the Otero campus and two semesters will be partially spent in clinical rotations at an affiliated clinical facility. An optional Phlebotomy certificate can be obtained by enrolling in an additional summer semester.

ADMISSION PROCEDURE

The student must apply for general college admission to Otero College. Applying to Otero is free and can be completed online.

In addition the student is required to:

1. Be a graduate of an accredited high school or equivalent. Courses in biology and chemistry are strongly recommended.
2. Background check and drug screen. See the Disqualifying Offenses document for more information:
   1. Clinical facilities require students to complete a drug screen prior to participating in clinical experience. This will be arranged through the college. Please plan to follow the procedures promptly when notified.
   2. Students are required to take and pass the background check. 
3. Required necessary vaccinations: Annual influenza, Hepatitis B, Varicella, MMR, COVID-19, and DPT.
4. Colorblindness testing: this will be done in class or can be done on D2L (Desire2Learn).
5. Health Form: :  The student must submit a complete physical exam, including TB testing, before beginning clinical rotations in the second year.
6. Students are required to complete the Otero MLT/Phlebotomy Orientation course. Please see director for enrollment and instructions.

RECOMMENDED COURSES:

Courses in high school biology and chemistry are strongly recommended. It is also necessary to be at college level for Math and English.

* The Otero MLT program is accredited by the National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), their contact information is: National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) 5600 North River Road, Suite 720 Rosemont, Illinois 60018 Phone 773-714-8880, NAACLS Web address: www.naacls.org/ NAACLS Email address info@naacls.org