Medical Laboratory Technician


The METC Medical Laboratory Technician course provides students the technical skills and knowledge required to achieve entry-level competencies and perform medical laboratory specialist and medical laboratory technician duties at fixed medical treatment facilities and field environments under the supervision of a qualified laboratory technician/technologist. The Medical Laboratory Technician course provides education and training in the major disciplines of the clinical laboratory, to include clinical chemistry, hematology, immunohematology, immunology, microbiology, parasitology, urinalysis, blood donor center operations, specimen collection and processing, and laboratory operations/management. This training course includes a Phase 1 resident portion at the METC, and a Phase 2 clinical portion conducted at military and civilian medical treatment facilities. Phase I is comprised of lectures, demonstrations, online learning materials, simulations, and laboratory practice. Quality assurance and safety techniques are emphasized throughout the course. This course meets basic requirements of the DoD Clinical Laboratory Improvement Program (CLIP). Additionally, this course helps students prepare for the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) exam, the ASCP Certification.
 US Air Force
AFSC: N/A

 US Army
MOS: Medical Laboratory Specialist
Course Length: 1056 hours
Iterations per year: 9

 US Navy
NEC: Medical Laboratory Technician
Course Length: 1040 hours
Iterations per year: 9
 

School Code 083


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The course prepares the laboratory technician to perform laboratory procedures at a medical treatment facility (MTF) under the supervision of a qualified laboratory technician/technologist. The instructional design of this program’s courses is group-lock step. This is a consolidated program with two military services that has a two phase, field of study schedule. Resident training is first conducted at the METC and then the student transitions to clinical training that is conducted at military and/or civilian MTF. 

Upon initial entry to METC, students are provided formal education and training that develops them into entry-level Medical Laboratory Specialists/Technicians within fixed and deployable medical facilities. 

Students will learn the medical laboratory mission and scope of practice. Training includes the study of: clinical chemistry, hematology, immunohematology, immunology, microbiology, parasitology, urinalysis, blood donor center operations, specimen collection and processing, and laboratory operations/management. 

Methods of instruction include, but are not limited to: lecture, demonstration, online materials, simulations, laboratory practice, and practical exercises. The MLT program provides graduates with knowledge and technical skills required to achieve medical laboratory technician entry-level competencies, and meets basic requirements of the DoD Clinical Laboratory Improvement Program (CLIP). Quality assurance and safety techniques are emphasized throughout the course. 

Clinical training provides students with clinical knowledge and hands-on experiential training which consists of clinical practicum in a MTF. The course prepares the student to exercise judgment and accept responsibility in performing clinical laboratory procedures in the care of patients. 

The training may include, but is not limited to: the application of specimen collection, clinical chemistry, microbiology, hematology and coagulation, immunohematology, urinalysis, and immunology/serology in a medical laboratory setting, using the areas of practice of medical laboratory department technicians at MTFs. 

Proficiency advancement in clinical applications is determined by the program director and clinical advisor/coordinator on a case-by-case basis. 
 

Course Requirements:


Army: Applicants must meet the prerequisites listed in AR 614-200 and ATRRS: https://www.atrrs.army.mil/

Navy: Personnel must meet all prerequisites listed in the Catalog of Navy Training Courses (CANTRAC): https://www.navy.mil/

Accreditation Agency:

The Medical Laboratory course is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) at: (WWW.NAACLS.ORG)

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018-5119
Telephone: 847-939-3597
Telephone: 773-714-8880
FAX: 773 -714-8886 
https://www.naacls.org/

Graduates from this course receive college credits from the College of Allied Health Sciences.
 

Credentialing Information:

Graduates are eligible to take the American Society of Clinical Pathologist Board of Certification Medical Laboratory Technician Exam (ASCP-BOC MLT) (WWW.ASCP.ORG).
 

Program Outcomes:

 
Last Three Years
(1 July – 30 June)
Graduation Rate* Placement Rate* External Board Certification Rate*
2022 100% 100% 89%
2021 100% 100% 89%
2020 99% 100% 89%
 
*Note: Rates based on students who began the Phase II portion of the program.
Student to Faculty Ratio:
     Lecture: 32 to 1
     Lab: 6 to 1
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Program Director (210) 808-5303
Service Lead
(210) 808-5304
Army Senior Enlisted
(210) 808-5307
Navy Senior Enlisted
(210) 808-5309
Phase II Coordinator
(210) 808-5292/5293
 
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