Medical Laboratory Assistant

The Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) Program prepares students to support clinical pathology teams in delivering accurate and timely diagnostic testing results. Students learn to collect, process, and prepare specimens in accordance with safety and quality standards. They also perform waived and point-of-care testing, prepare reagents, maintain laboratory equipment, and support clinical laboratory operations through inventory management, recordkeeping, and data entry in laboratory information systems.

Mission

The mission of the Medical Laboratory Sciences department (Phlebotomy, Medical Laboratory Assistant, and Medical Laboratory Technician programs) is to graduate competent and ethical laboratory professionals equipped with the foundational knowledge and technical skills required for immediate career entry. The program is dedicated to supporting the overarching mission of Malcolm X College by providing high-quality, rigorous health science education. We are committed to preparing students to demonstrate the precise clinical skills and professional behaviors essential to the modern diagnostic laboratory.

About

Medical Laboratory Assistants are the essential gatekeepers of the lab. They handle the critical "pre-analytical" phase, ensuring every medical sample is collected, prepared, and tracked perfectly before testing begins.

The MLA’s primary responsibilities fall into four key areas:

• Specimen Collection: MLAs are often the face of the lab, interacting directly with patients. They verify identities, ease anxiety, and collect blood and non-blood specimens for diagnostic testing.
• Sample Processing: Once collected, MLAs determine the clinical destination for the samples and prepare the samples to be tested. They use centrifuges to separate blood components and carefully split (aliquot) specimens into smaller tubes for different testing departments, ensuring sample integrity is never compromised.
• Data Informatics: MLAs use Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) to log patient data, input physician test orders, and generate tracking barcodes to eliminate the risk of patient mix-ups.
• Lab Maintenance & Safety: MLAs keep the clinical laboratory running efficiently and safely. They sterilize workstations, calibrate basic equipment, monitor storage temperatures for sensitive reagents, restock inventory, and strictly follow OSHA guidelines for disposing of biohazardous waste and needles.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: MLAs act as a bridge between the lab and the rest of the facility. They collaborate daily with nurses, physicians, and other healthcare workers to clarify ambiguous test orders, manage urgent ("STAT") requests, and report critical sample issues like clotting or contamination.

The MLA blends hands-on clinical care with meticulous data entry and safety coordination. By ensuring that laboratory technicians and scientists receive pristine, accurately labeled samples, MLAs provide the foundation for reliable test results and high-quality patient care.

 Program Approval

The Medical Laboratory Assistant Program is approved by the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

In addition to institutional accreditation, the Medical Laboratory Assistant program is pursuing specialized accreditation. Students should be aware that the standards for Medical Laboratory Assistant program are established by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018-5119
Telephone: (773) 714-8880
Website: https://www.naacls.org

Occupational Overview 

Employment opportunities for MLAs are found in healthcare settings such as hospitals, medical centers, outpatient laboratories, physician offices, diagnostic and reference laboratories, and public health facilities. Medical Laboratory Assistants’ minimum job functions include sitting and standing for prolonged periods, frequent walking and reaching (including overhead, repetitive, and extended movements), and strong communication, auditory, and visual skills. Attention to detail, organizational ability, and clear written communication are essential. Individuals must also be able to lift, push, or pull up to 30 pounds.

Medical Laboratory Assistants may be exposed to chemicals, biohazardous materials, blood and body fluids, infectious diseases, fumes, noise, and occasionally cold environments. In addition, a Medical Laboratory Assistant:

• Collects, labels, processes, and transports specimens following established safety and quality standards
• Performs waived and point-of-care testing in accordance with regulatory guidelines and institutional procedures
• Prepares reagents and supplies and ensures proper storage and handling of materials
• Sets up, operates, and maintains laboratory equipment, reporting malfunctions as needed
• Manages specimen inventory, tracks supplies, and maintains accurate laboratory records
• Enters patient and test data into laboratory information systems with accuracy and attention to detail
• Assists with maintaining a clean, organized, and safe laboratory environment
• Adheres to standard precautions, infection control practices, and quality assurance protocols
• Supports departmental policies, procedures, and continuous quality improvement initiatives
• Communicates effectively with laboratory staff, healthcare providers, and patients using professional interpersonal skills

Length of Course/Program Schedule

The Medical Laboratory Assistant Program consists of a structured curriculum totaling 16 credit hours. The 16-week (one semester) program includes required coursework designed to build competency in laboratory techniques, specimen collection, and communication within healthcare environments.

 

Courses

MED LAB 100: Medical Laboratory Techniques

MED LAB 113: Phlebotomy Techniques

MED LAB 201: Medical Laboratory Assistant Skills

Students must also demonstrate professional interpersonal and communication skills that are essential for interacting with diverse patient populations, co-workers, and other healthcare professionals. To meet this criteria, students must complete one of the following courses:

 

PSYCH 201: General Psychology Or SPEECH 202: Interpersonal Communication

 

MLA Clinical Externship

The Clinical Externship is a requirement of the Medical Laboratory Assistant program at Malcolm X College. This immersive experience transitions you from the simulated campus lab into an actual clinical work environment at one of our partner healthcare affiliates. Under the supervision of clinical professionals, you will refine your technical skills and adapt to the pace of a functioning diagnostic laboratory.

 

To accommodate the rigorous training required while maintaining academic balance, the clinical externship is structured as follows:

·         Duration: 10 Weeks.

·         Weekly Commitment: Every Friday for 8 hours per day.

·         Total Clinical Hours: 80 Hours.

·         Department Rotations: Students will rotate through phlebotomy, the Core Lab, and possibly a specialized areas such as Clinical Microbiology, depending on the clinical site. The specific order of these rotations is determined by the affiliate laboratory’s schedule.

Students must complete 100 unaided specimen collections and 100 clinical experience hours. Students will meet these requirements at their clinical externship, MLA laboratory, and Malcolm X College Virtual Hospital.

Frequency of Admission

Admission to the Medical Laboratory Assistant Program is offered in the Fall and Spring semesters.

Applications for Fall admission will generally open in March.
Applications for Spring admission will generally open in October.

Medical Laboratory Assistant Certification

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to sit for the following certification exams:

• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT), Certified Medical Technologist (CMLA)

 Program Admission Requirements

Applicants must:

1. Be admitted to Malcolm X College
2. Be at least 18 years of age.
3. Be eligible to take English 101
4. Have college level math eligibility
5. Complete the Special Admissions Application for the Medical Laboratory Assistant Program
6. Submit official/sealed high school transcript or GED certificate directly to Malcolm X College
   1. High school diplomas will not be accepted
   2. GED certificate must indicate date of completion
7. Submit official/sealed college transcripts from institutions outside of City Colleges of Chicago directly to Malcolm X College
   1. All college transcripts from colleges/universities attended outside City Colleges of Chicago are required to be sent to Malcolm X College Office of Registrar Services or mxregistrar@ccc.edu from the specific college/university. We do not have access to transcripts submitted to other City Colleges of Chicago.

All students are required to undergo a criminal background check. Students with a positive background check that contains disqualifying convictions may be prohibited from being placed at a clinical site, sitting for certification examinations, and securing future employment. The program’s Work Based Learning Coordinator will provide instructions to obtain the criminal background check at the New Student Orientation session.

For additional information, please refer to Section 25 (225 ILCS 46/25) of the Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Submitting Application within Student Portal (my.ccc.edu )

• Under “My Academic Plan”
• Within “Academic Planning”
• Click “Selective Application”

Academic Catalog

Medical Laboratory Assistant, Basic Certificate