The Medical Laboratory Profession

Laboratory tests play an important part in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of many diseases in modern medical practice. The laboratory professionals who carry out these tests are medical technologists (bachelor’s or master’s degree level) and medical laboratory technicians (associate degree level). They work under the direction of pathologists and other physicians or scientists. Medical laboratory workers perform a wide range of tests and laboratory procedures that require a high level of skill. They examine and analyze blood, body fluids and other specimens using precision instruments, such as microscopes and automated analyzers. They look for bacteria, parasites and other microorganisms; analyze the chemical content of fluids; match blood for transfusions; and test for drug levels in the blood to show how a patient is responding to treatment. They also prepare specimens for examination, count cells and look for abnormal cells in blood and body fluids. They may work in several laboratory areas, such as hematology, clinical chemistry, blood banking, microbiology or molecular diagnostics, or specialize in just one.

Program Mission

Nassau Community College is dedicated to high quality, low-cost education and career preparation to meet the needs and interests of the community it serves. Consistent with this, the Medical Laboratory Technician program’s mission is to prepare competent medical laboratory technicians with the entry-level knowledge, skills and attitudes that are required to fulfill current and future professional and leadership roles in laboratory medicine and healthcare. 

Program Description

The Medical Laboratory Technician program is a two-year curriculum leading to an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree. It offers technician-level education for those career-oriented students interested in employment as medical laboratory technicians and laboratory or research aides. The curriculum consists of courses in the humanities, behavioral sciences, mathematics, basic sciences and specialized clinical courses. All students are exposed to the methods and applications of routine medical laboratory procedure, including the detection of errors and quality control. The program combines coursework at the College with off-campus clinical education at an affiliate hospital or clinical laboratory. Upon successful completion of the program, students will be eligible to take the New York State licensure exam for Certified Clinical Laboratory Technicians. Students will also be eligible to take national certification exams given by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and the American Medical Technologists (AMT).

Program Goals

The program strives to:

• Provide students with the knowledge and skills needed for entry-level performance as clinical or medical laboratory technicians.
• Provide educational and hands-on experience in all areas of the clinical laboratory.
• Promote ethical conduct and the development of respect and compassion towards patients being diagnosed and undergoing treatment.
• Facilitate the development of professional behaviors, including communication skills, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Insure a well-rounded liberal arts education as well as the professional expertise in medical laboratory technology.
• Encourage upward mobility through formal and informal continuing education.
• Improve the quality of patient care and service through the education and training of competent medical laboratory technicians.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the Medical Laboratory Technician Program will be able to:

• Competently perform laboratory procedures in all areas of the clinical laboratory (i.e. Hematology, Coagulation, Urinalysis, Phlebotomy, Serology, Microbiology, Chemistry, and Immunohematology)
• Correlate laboratory results with disease states
• Interpret test results and cite sources of error
• Demonstrate professional behaviors, such as appropriate appearance, ethical conduct and effective communication skills
• Be eligible to take national certification exams as Medical Laboratory Technician and for licensure in New York State as Certified Clinical Laboratory Technician

Accreditation

The MLT program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL, 60018; 773.714.8880; www.naacls.org.

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ADMISSIONS INFORMATION

High School Academic Requirements

• Two years of mathematics
• One year biology
• One year chemistry
• Grades 75 and above

The student must take the NCC placement test given by the College's Office of Admissions prior to applying. If the NCC placement examination indicates a need for remediation in English, mathematics, or reading, remediation must be completed before entering the MLT program.

Non-Academic Requirements or Technical Standards

• Sight, hearing and speech within normal limits.
• The fine motor coordination to manipulate tools, instruments and laboratory equipment in a safe and accurate manner.
• The emotional health required to work in an environment that might include exposure to agents of disease and to be able to recognize emergency situations and take appropriate actions.

All applicants are required to arrange for an interview with an MLT program faculty member.* For information, call the Allied Health Sciences Department Office at 516.572.9640.

*Students must meet the Academic and Non-Academic requirements to be eligible for admission. For qualified students, recruitment and admission shall be nondiscriminatory with respect to race, ethnicity, creed, sex, age, disabling conditions (handicaps), and national origins.

Admission Forms

New Students:

• Program requirements and applications for new students are available at the Admissions Office.
• New and transfer students should fill out a new Degree-Seeking application.

Current Students:

• Students must download and complete the APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION & CHANGE OF PROGRAM form. This form should only be used by currently-attending matriculated students (meaning, you have a major).
• Non-degree students must fill out a new Degree-Seeking application.

MLT Program Requirements and Guidelines

• Applicants are subject to the admission and re-admission requirements, deadlines, policies and procedures, established by the MLT Admissions Committee.
• If the NCC placement examination indicates a need for remediation in English, mathematics, or reading, remediation must be completed before entering the MLT program.
• Students must meet non-academic requirements, be of good moral character, and may be subject to criminal background checks and random drug screening.
• Students must comply with all health requirements of the NCC Department of Student Health Services and the clinical affiliates including those related to Bloodborne Universal Precautions, The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), and New York State vaccination requirements.
• Students are subject to all policies, standards and requirements published in the MLT Orientation Manual and the MLT Clinical Handbook. Both of these documents are available for review in E3211 upon request.
• A minimum grade of "C" is required in all AHS courses to qualify for advancement.
• AHS career program students are required to supply their own transportation to clinical settings.
• AHS career program students may be subject to additional fees associated with required background and/or drug testing; access to licensure examination review; site-imposed fees associated with attendance at clinical affiliates and/or additional medical exams/clearances needed to satisfy clinical site requirements.
• AHS career program students must supply their own required uniforms and any required accessories and equipment.
• Evaluation of clinical practice is based on professional competence and skill, adherence to professional codes of ethics and behavior, attitude, attendance, punctuality, appearance and ability to work with and relate to peers and other members of the health care team.

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Program Statistics

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NAACLS BENCHMARK FOR GRADUATION RATES

Three years of consecutive results of graduation rates demonstrate an average of at least 70% of students who have begun the final half of the program go on to successfully graduate from the program as calculated by the most recent three-year period.

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NAACLS BENCHMARK FOR CERTIFICATION RATES

Three years of consecutive graduate certification results demonstrate an average of at least 75% pass rate on the ASCP-BOC examinations for those who take the exam within the first year of graduation as calculated by the most recent three-year period.

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NAACLS BENCHMARK FOR GRADUATE PLACEMENT RATES

Three years of consecutive results of graduate placement rates demonstrate that an average of at least 70% of respondent graduates either find employment in the field or a closely related field (for those who seek employment) or continue their education within one year of graduation as calculated by the most recent three-year period.

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Program Faculty Members

• Sarah Monahan, MPH, MLS (ASCP), Program Director & Instructor
• Shannon Aurigema, BS, MLS (ASCP), Instructor
• Renee Chin, AAS, MLT (ASCP) Technical Assistant
• Jessica Rau, MLS (ASCP), SBB
• Gerard DeFeo, Ph.D., MLS (ASCP), CLS (NCA), Assistant Professor Emeritus, Adjunct Professor
• Tyler Cavanagh, BS, MLS (ASCP), Adjunct Clinical Instructor
• Chloe Mercedes, BS, MLS (ASCP), Adjunct Clinical Instructor