Acceptance to the Medical Laboratory Technician Program
Students who wish to be considered for admission to the Medical Laboratory Technician program must present the credentials below and are required to meet with an academic advisor prior to enrolling in Introduction to MLT (MLT 110).
16 students are admitted annually to the MLT Program each Fall semester. A waitlist will be generated for all other qualified applicants.
- Submit an application to the College indicating Medical Laboratory Technician
- Complete all new student steps
- Students must meet one of the following options:
/High School Option
High school transcript must include one year each of biology and chemistry and two years of math, including algebra, with grades of “C” or better (equivalent courses taken in college would be acceptable substitutes) and one of the following credentials within the last five years:
- ACT composite score of 18 or
- SAT score of a minimum of 1000
College Option
College transcript must include 14 semester hours consisting of two 4-credit science courses with laboratories and two 3-credit courses from the general education component of the MLT curriculum. The courses must have been taken at an institution in which English is the primary instructional language. Grades for the four courses must each be “C” or better and result in a GPA of at least 2.5. Science courses must be successfully completed within 10 years prior to enrolling in MLT courses.
All interested students must be at college level English, Mathematics and Reading.
- Once all of the above have been completed, meet with an MLT Program academic advisor. This is required before enrolling in Introduction to MLT (MLT 110).
- Complete all health and safety requirements for health science students. Students
must attend a mandatory orientation to obtain direction on how to complete the following
program requirements:
- Documentation of selected vaccinations
- Physical Examination and Health History/Emergency Contact forms
- Drug Screen meeting all College guidelines for enrolling in a health career
- Test for tuberculosis (PPD or Quantiferon Gold test)
- PA Criminal Background Record Check*
- Child Abuse Clearance*
- FBI Fingerprint Criminal Background Check*
Note: These requirements must be completed within 6 months of enrolling in MLT 110.
* A Child Abuse History and a Criminal Record may exclude students from enrolling in the MLT program.
For Currently Enrolled or Transfer Students
Students who receive an “XF” grade in any college course, taken at MCCC or elsewhere, are ineligible for enrollment, re-enrollment or re-admission to the MLT program at any time.
Students are permitted two attempts at the program-required science and MLT-prefixed courses. Please refer to the MLT Student Manual.
All students must complete the MLT program within four academic years of the date of initial enrollment in the program.
Please email questions to HealthSciences@mc3.edu.
Essential Functions
In addition to the academic admission requirements for students entering the MLT Program, the following Essential Functions are also expected of all students:
- Students must be able to visualize objects through a microscope and differentiate color, shape and structure of organisms and cells. Students must be able to detect color changes on reagent strips and during chemical analyses.
- Students must possess sufficient motor skills and manual dexterity to obtain and manipulate specimens, reagents, glassware, instruments and equipment with accuracy, speed and precision in such a manner that does not endanger themselves and others.
- Students must possess effective written and oral communication skills in order to accurately transmit information to patients, physicians and other healthcare professionals. Students must possess the ability to read, write, and speak in English.
- Students must demonstrate professional attitudes and behaviors. Students must be able to use reasonable judgment under stressful conditions to make decisions that impact patient care. Students must be able to work independently as a member of a team to maintain the highest standards in the delivery of patient care.
- Students must be able to move easily from one location to another in the laboratory to do testing and through patient areas to perform phlebotomy.
Students must be able to fulfill these essential functions of the job without endangering patients or other health care workers. Students with disabilities may be eligible for accommodations. Prior to the start of the Program, students may contact the Director of Disability Services in College Hall 131 at 215-641-6575.
Advanced Standing
Special Program Requirements
Students are required to purchase their own malpractice insurance (clinical year), uniforms, and to provide their own transportation to and from all clinical assignments and enrichment site visits. Students in MLT courses may occasionally be required to act as subjects for laboratory tests such as venipuncture, capillary puncture and urinalysis.
No ear gages, piercings other than the ear lobe, or visible tattoos are permitted while in uniform at the clinical setting.
Students must maintain current medical insurance while in the program.
Students must obtain an annual physical, required vaccinations, TB test, urine drug screen, and other information to be uploaded to the CastleBranch Portal and verified no later than the date indicated on the CastleBranch Portal each year.