Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) Associate in Applied Science

The Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) Program prepares students to perform complex laboratory testing and support the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease in a variety of healthcare settings. Students develop competency in analyzing blood and other body fluids using laboratory instrumentation and standardized procedures across core disciplines such as hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, immunology, and blood banking.

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 Technicians combine scientific knowledge, technical precision, and critical thinking to produce reliable laboratory results that are essential to diagnosing and monitoring disease. Working primarily behind the scenes, MLTs analyze biological specimens and generate accurate data for disease diagnosis and treatment planning.

Their work directly impacts patient outcomes and supports the overall quality of healthcare delivery.

The MLT’s responsibilities span multiple areas of laboratory practice:

• Specimen Collection and Preparation: Collects, labels, and processes blood, urine, tissue, and other specimens, ensuring integrity and proper handling prior to analysis.
• Laboratory Testing and Analysis: Performs routine and complex testing in the clinical laboratory using manual and automated methods.
• Instrumentation and Equipment Operation: Operates, calibrates, and maintains laboratory instruments to ensure accuracy and reliability of test results.
• Quality Control and Assurance: Conducts quality checks, validates test results, and adheres to regulatory and accreditation standards to maintain laboratory excellence.
• Data Management: Accurately records, interprets, and reports laboratory data using laboratory information systems to support clinical decision-making.
• Safety and Compliance: Follows OSHA, infection control, and biohazard safety guidelines to ensure a safe laboratory environment.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Works closely with physicians, medical laboratory scientists, and other healthcare professionals to ensure timely and accurate diagnostic services.

Program Approval

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

In addition, the program adheres to standards established by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), the premier accrediting body for clinical laboratory education programs.

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 

Graduates of the Medical Laboratory Technician program are employed in hospitals, medical centers, physician offices, diagnostic laboratories, public health agencies, and research facilities. Medical Laboratory Technicians typically work in fast-paced laboratory environments and must demonstrate:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Effective communication and teamwork
• Ability to operate complex instrumentation

They may be exposed to chemicals, biohazardous materials, infectious diseases, and must adhere to strict safety and quality standards.

MLTs perform essential functions including:

• Analyzing patient samples to detect abnormalities and disease processes
• Performing laboratory testing across multiple disciplines
• Maintaining and troubleshooting laboratory instruments
• Ensuring proper specimen handling and documentation
• Upholding quality assurance and regulatory compliance

Please check the Department of Labor for statistics on current wages and occupational outlook for this profession.

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicians.htm

Length of Program/Core Courses

Learn more about the classes and program requirements in the online catalog page for MLT.

MLT Clinical Externship

The Clinical Externship is a required component of the Medical Laboratory Technician Program at Malcolm X College. This comprehensive, one-semester experience transitions students from the simulated campus laboratory into an authentic clinical laboratory environment within an affiliated healthcare facility.

Under the supervision of qualified laboratory professionals, students apply and expand their knowledge across core laboratory disciplines. This immersive experience allows students to refine technical competencies, strengthen critical thinking skills, and adapt to the workflow, standards, and expectations of a functioning diagnostic laboratory.

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

·       Duration: 16 Weeks.

·       Weekly Commitment: Monday–Friday, 8 hours per day.

·       Department Rotations: Students will rotate through urinalysis and other body fluids, hematology, chemistry, microbiology, immunology, and immunohematology. The specific order of these rotations is determined by the affiliate laboratory’s schedule.

Frequency of Admission 

Admission to the Medical Laboratory Technician Program is offered in the Fall semester only. Applications will generally open in March.

Medical Laboratory Technician Certification

Graduates will be eligible to sit for the following certification exams:

• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT), Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT)

Program Admission Requirements

Prior to being admitted to the program, applicants must:

1.      Be admitted to Malcolm X College

2.      Be at least 18 years of age by the start of the program.

3.  Have MATH 118 General Education Math eligibility 
4. Have successful completion of BIOLOGY 121 Biology I with a C or better
5. Have successful completion of ENGLISH 101 Composition with a C or better
6. Complete the Special Admissions Application for the Medical Laboratory Technician Program

7.      Submit official/sealed high school transcript or GED certificate directly to Malcolm X College

a.      High school diplomas will not be accepted

b.      GED certificate must indicate date of completion

8.      Submit official/sealed college transcripts from institutions outside of City Colleges of Chicago directly to Malcolm X College

a.      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.

9.      Students who meet all minimum admission requirements will be asked to complete 4 short answer questions that will be evaluated by the MLT Admissions Committee.

Please note that admission is highly competitive, and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance.

Application Deadlines

Applications for Fall 2027 entry will open on March 1, 2027 and close May 14, 2027.

All official documents must be received by Malcolm X College no later than May 14, 2027 to be considered for Fall 2027 entry.

All prerequisites must be completed by May 14, 2027:

1. MATH 118 General Education Math eligibility 
2. Successful completion of BIOLOGY 121 Biology I or an equivalent with a C or better
3. Successful completion of ENGLISH 101 Composition an equivalent with a C or better

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis beginning March 1, 2027 – May 14, 2027.

Applicants will be notified of admissions status by June 7, 2027 for Fall 2027 entry.

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”