Western Technical College
Published on Western Technical College (https://www.westerntc.edu)

Home > Medical Lab Technician

Medical Lab Technician

  • Associate Degree
Medical Lab Technician Image

Program Number: 

105131

Program Credits: 

65.00

Estimated Total Cost: 

$10,669.75

Typical Start: 

Fall
Financial Aid Eligible

Are you intrigued by biology and chemistry, with a passion for healthcare? Consider turning your interests into a fulfilling career as a medical laboratory technician. In this role, you play a crucial part in the healthcare system by conducting clinical laboratory tests that aid in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and medical conditions.

Your responsibilities as a medical laboratory technician encompass a wide range of analyses, spanning from waived and point-of-care testing to complex diagnostic procedures covering major medical laboratory areas such as hematology, clinical chemistry, immunohematology, microbiology, serology/immunology, coagulation, molecular diagnostics, and other emerging technologies. As the primary analyst, you'll make specimen-oriented decisions and hold vital responsibilities in information processing, training, and quality control monitoring wherever medical laboratory testing is conducted.

Graduates are eligible to take a national certification exam offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathologists' (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC). It's important to note that passing this exam is not a graduation requirement, but it can significantly enhance your credentials and career prospects in the field of medical laboratory technology.

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 [1] for specific location information.

To view the Medical Lab Technician program’s required disclosure on professional licensure, please click here [2].

NAACLS Outcome Measures
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119
Phone: 773-714-8880

For information about Western’s Medical Lab Technician program’s student outcomes, please click here [3].

Medical Lab Technician 2021, 2022, & 2023 Graduation Employment Stats

Graduates18
Graduates Responding9
Employed in Related Occupation9
Employed in Non-related Occupations0
Seeking Employment0
Continuing Education0
Not in Labor Market0

Salary Data - Related Employment

Part TimeFull Time
Responding17
Average Hours Per Week3239
Average Hourly Wage$27.50 $26.05
Hourly Wage Range$27.50 $24.00-$27.73
Average Annual Salary

Respondents in Related Occupations

  • Medical Laboratory Scientist, Medical Lab Tech Float, Medical Lab Technologist

Career Opportunities

Medical Lab Technician (MLT)
Clinical Laboratory Technician
Phlebotomist

Program Outcomes

  • 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: 

Yes

Application Fee: 

$30 Application Fee

Transcript: 

High School or GED/HSED Transcript

Program Specific Requirements

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. 

  • Medical Laboratory Technician Technical Standards [4]
  • Background Check [5]
  • 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
  • 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 [8].

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

  • Western uses the Blackboard Learning Management System. Some courses may use Zoom or Microsoft Teams to meet and work virtually. Visit our website for guidance on how to access and use these tools [9].
  • Office 365 (available to download for free once you have a student email)
  • Recommended web browsers: Chrome or Firefox

For detailed specifications, please review Technology and Software Recommendations for Most Classes [10] on Western’s IT Knowledgebase.

Campus Resources

  • Western has several computer labs available. Visit our website to find open hours and locations on the La Crosse campus [11]. Or find information on how to access resources on our Regional Locations web page [12].
  • The Learning Commons has computers, webcams, and microphones available for in-house use. Our librarians recommend checking your local public library for computer access on the weekends. Staff members can also provide information on free, off-campus Wi-Fi spots. Contact them at LearningCommons@westerntc.edu [13] or call 608-785-9198.

Need Assistance?

  • Contact the Learning Commons [14]! The staff are happy to answer questions, provide individualized assistance, and direct you to other supports as needed.

Accreditation

This program has been awarded continuing accreditation by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences [15], 5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119, phone 773-714-8880.

NAACLS Outcome Measures [3]

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 Handbook [16]

Program Contact

Karen Christenson
Program Chair, Medical Laboratory Technician
608-789-4740
ChristensonK@westerntc.edu [17]

Courses

Western offers most courses in a 7-week format, but course length can vary. There are two 7-week sessions in each term, so courses listed below may not be taken at the same time. See www.westerntc.edu/7-weeks [18] for more information.

This course list gives you an idea of what coursework will be required but is not the official list. Current students should use the MyWestern [19] self-service portal for academic planning.

First Term

Basic Immunology Concepts
Course Number: 10513115
Credits: 2.00
Basic Lab Skills
Course Number: 10513110
Credits: 1.00
English Composition 1
Course Number: 10801136
Credits: 3.00
Gen Anatomy & Physiology
Course Number: 10806177
Credits: 4.00
Phlebotomy
Course Number: 10513111
Credits: 2.00
Strengths Seminar
Course Number: 10890106
Credits: 1.00
Urinalysis
Course Number: 10513114
Credits: 2.00

Second Term

Basic Hematology
Course Number: 10513120
Credits: 3.00
Blood Bank
Course Number: 10513109
Credits: 4.00
Coagulation
Course Number: 10513121
Credits: 1.00
Intro to Ethics: Theory & App
Course Number: 10809166
Credits: 3.00
QA Lab Math
Course Number: 10513113
Credits: 1.00

Third Term

Intro to Biochemistry
Course Number: 10806186
Credits: 4.00
Intro to Psychology
Course Number: 10809198
Credits: 3.00
Microbiology
Course Number: 10806197
Credits: 4.00
Oral/Interpersonal Comm
Course Number: 10801196
Credits: 3.00

Fourth Term

Advanced Hematology
Course Number: 10513130
Credits: 2.00
Clinical Chemistry
Course Number: 10513116
Credits: 4.00
Clinical Microbiology
Course Number: 10513133
Credits: 4.00
Introduction to Molecular Diagnostics
Course Number: 10513170
Credits: 2.00

Fifth Term

Advanced Microbiology
Course Number: 10513140
Credits: 2.00
Clinical Experience 1
Course Number: 10513151
Credits: 3.00
Clinical Experience 2
Course Number: 10513152
Credits: 4.00
Clinical Experience III
Course Number: 10513159
Credits: 2.00
MLT Seminar
Course Number: 10513160
Credits: 1.00

Western Technical College
400 7th Street North
La Crosse, Wisconsin
54601

608-785-9200
800-322-9982


Links
[1] https://www.westerntc.edu/maps-and-parking
[2] https://www.westerntc.edu/sites/default/files/programs/documents/Professional_Liscensure_Disclosure.pdf
[3] https://www.westerntc.edu/sites/default/files/programs/documents/MLT_NAACLS_Outcome_Measures_November_2024.pdf
[4] https://na2.documents.adobe.com/public/esignWidget?wid=CBFCIBAA3AAABLblqZhD2JjtsNIdfcs4Z6IgxqrmZH5CMAN-UqhwmGvMCJT0ec9xqxzKn9iL4bxd0Khf91w8*
[5] https://www.westerntc.edu/sites/default/files/programs/documents/Viewpoint_Background_Check_Instructions.pdf
[6] https://www.westerntc.edu/admissions-coaches
[7] https://www.westerntc.edu/college-advisors
[8] https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=DniDXv9HckGZ5BpZ1xtAINzEPDqm29RGnADqdoibRwxUM0ZIV0tLRE1OS0NaOTY5U01aOFNVNDdVUS4u
[9] https://westerntc.libguides.com/blackboardforstudents/
[10] https://kb.westerntc.edu/112380
[11] https://www.westerntc.edu/computer-labs
[12] https://www.westerntc.edu/regional-locations
[13] mailto:LearningCommons@westerntc.edu
[14] https://www.westerntc.edu/learning-commons
[15] http://www.naacls.org/
[16] https://www.westerntc.edu/sites/default/files/programs/documents/MLT_Student_Handbook.pdf
[17] mailto:ChristensonK@westerntc.edu
[18] https://www.westerntc.edu/7-weeks
[19] https://mywestern.westerntc.edu/