Medical Lab Technician | Western Technical College

Programs

Medical Lab Technician

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Associate Degree

Program Number: 

105131

Credits: 

64.00
Financial Aid Eligible

Typical Start: 

Fall

Turn your interest in biology and chemistry into a career in healthcare. As a medical laboratory technician, you will have an important role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and conditions by collecting and analyzing blood, identifying microorganisms from diverse specimens, conducting microscopic and chemical examinations, and performing blood bank procedures such as cross-matching blood. You will also gain hands-on skills through clinical laboratory experiences in area labs.

Graduates are eligible to take a national certification exam through the American Society for Clinical Pathologists’ (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC). Passing the exam is not required for graduation.

Program-specific courses are held in the Health Science Center, a shared facility located a few blocks from the La Crosse main campus. Check our maps page for specific location information.

To view the Medical Lab Technician program’s required disclosure on professional licensure, please click here.

NAACLS Outcome Measures
For information about Western’s Medical Lab Technician program’s student outcomes, please click here.

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Estimated Program Costs

Estimated Program Cost

Medical Lab Technician

This program will cost about $11,400* based on tuition and basic program fees. There may be additional fees for books, materials, and testing. For more information on tuition costs, visit the Tuition Page.

* Tuition and fees are subject to change.
Graduation Employment Stats

Graduation Employment Stats

Western conducts a follow-up survey of all grads six months after graduation to find out if they are employed in a job related to their program, how much they are making, and where they are employed.

Survey information is not currently available for this program. Please contact an Admissions Coach or call 606-785-9200 for more information.

Career Opportunities

Medical Lab Technician (MLT)
Clinical Laboratory Technician
Phlebotomist

Program Outcomes

  • Living responsibly
  • Refining professionalism
  • Cultivating passion
  • Practice laboratory safety and regulatory compliance
  • Collect and process biological specimens
  • Monitor and evaluate quality control in the laboratory
  • Apply modern clinical methodologies including problem solving and troubleshooting according to predetermined criteria
  • Correlate laboratory results to diagnosis of clinical conditions and/or diseases
  • Perform information processing in the clinical laboratory
  • Model professional behaviors, ethics, and appearance

Admission Requirements

College Requirements

Application
$30 Application Fee
High School or GED/HSED Transcript

Additional Requirements

To enroll in the Medical Laboratory Technician program, first apply for admission to the College, then read the program’s Technical Standards and complete a background check.  You can find links to these documents below.  In addition, you must complete Developmental (or College) Biology and Developmental (or College) Chemistry with a grade of “C” or better.  The last step for admission to the program will be to complete an Intent to Enroll form. Please see the details below.

  • Medical Laboratory Technician Technical Standards
  • Background Check
  • Complete one year of High School or one term of Developmental or College Biology
  • Complete one year of High School or one term of Developmental or College Chemistry
  • Contact the Welcome Center to make an appointment to complete your Intent to Enroll Form. Prospective or returning students should meet with an Admissions Coach. Current students should meet with a Health and Public Safety College Advisor.
  • If COVID vaccines are required by a clinical partner, you will be notified.

Software and Technology

Most of Western’s classes require the use of a personal computer or laptop, standard software, internet access, and other technology-related items.

If you do not have a personal computer or laptop, or if the one you have does not meet the following criteria, resources may be available. Submit a Student Resource Request using our online form.

Computer/Laptop Hardware

  • Smartphones are not recommended for completing assignments.
  • Chromebooks are not recommended due to issues with installing software that is needed for classes, such as Office 365.
  • Web camera with microphone (usually built into newer laptops or can be purchased separately) is necessary for online participation.

Software Needs

For detailed specifications, please review Technology and Software Recommendations for Most Classes on Western’s IT Knowledgebase.

Campus Resources

Need Assistance?

  • Contact the Learning Commons! The staff are happy to answer questions, provide individualized assistance, and direct you to other supports as needed.

Accreditation

This program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119, phone 773-714-8880.

NAACLS Outcome Measures

Additional Information

Our Health and Public Safety programs are required to report additional information to prospective students, including certification exams, licensure, program completion rates, etc. You can find this information in the documents below:

Program Contact

Karen Christenson
Program Chair, Medical Laboratory Technician
608-789-4740
ChristensonK@westerntc.edu

Transfer Agreements

Viterbo University
Website

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