Medical Lab Technician
- Associate Degree
Program Number:
Program Credits:
Estimated Total Cost:
Typical Start:
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 [1] for specific location information.
For information about Western’s Medical Lab Technician program’s student outcomes, please click here [2].
To view the Medical Lab Technician program’s required disclosure on professional licensure, please click here [3].
Medical Lab Technician 2019-2020 Graduation Employment Stats
| Graduates | 12 |
| Graduates Responding | 3 |
| Employed in Related Occupation | 2 |
| Employed in Non-related Occupations | 0 |
| Seeking Employment | 0 |
| Continuing Education | 0 |
| Not in Labor Market | 1 |
Salary Data - Related Employment
| Part Time | Full Time | |
|---|---|---|
| Responding | 1 | 1 |
| Average Hours Per Week | ||
| Median Hourly Wage | ||
| Hourly Wage Range | ||
| Median Annual Salary |
Respondents in Related Occupations
Career Opportunities
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:
Application Fee:
Program Specific Requirements
To enroll in the Medical Laboratory Technician program, first apply for admission to the College, then read the program’s Essential Functions and complete a background check. You can find links to these documents below. In addition, you must complete the prerequisites for General Anatomy and Physiology 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 Essential Functions [4]
- Background Check [5]
- General Anatomy and Physiology Prerequisites
- One year of High School or one term of Developmental or College Biology
- One year of High School or one term of Developmental or College Chemistry
- Contact the Welcome Center to make an appointment with a Health & Public Safety College Advisor [6] to complete your Intent to Enroll form.
COVID-19 Vaccination Status
COVID-19 vaccination is not required to attend classes at Western Technical College, however your clinical site now requires proof of completion of COVID-19 vaccination to attend their sites. To prevent any interruption in your clinical/practicum/field classes, we are now requiring you to provide us with your COVID-19 vaccination proof to enter this program.
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 is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences [15], 5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119, phone 773-714-8880.
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
The following list is not the official course list for this program. It is intended to give students an idea of what coursework will be required.
Current students should use the MyWestern [18] self-service portal when registering for class.