Medical laboratory technician training
Medical laboratory technician training provides the necessary knowledge to prepare students to work in an entry-level clinical setting collecting blood and tissue samples for analysis. Experienced professionals can even advance and become medical technologists or clinical laboratory managers.
Accreditation
When choosing a medical laboratory technician training program, make sure the school is accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Accredited programs usually mean that students are eligible to sit for certification.
Degree Options
Medical laboratory technician training can be obtained through a one-year certificate or an associate's degree. Prospective students have the option of taking courses either through a local community college, vocational school or the armed forces. In some states, on-the-job training is available through clinics and hospitals.
Coursework
Through their coursework, students will become familiar with medical terminology, human anatomy, microbiology, pathology, immunology, phlebotomy,and laboratory billing practices through classroom and lab instruction. Toward the end of the program, students will also have the opportunity to complete an externship (similar to internships, but shorter) at their local hospital.
Financial Aid
Students looking for a way to pay for medical laboratory technician training can utilize Federal Student Aid programs, which offer financial assistance in the form of grants, loans and work-study programs. The American Medical Technologists (AMT) and the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) both offer scholarships to undergraduate students.
Certification
Once training is complete, students can obtain their Certified Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) credential through the American Medical Technologists. Students have the option of taking the computerized certification exam through their school or at a special testing center. Certification is valid for three years, and proof of continuing education units (CEUs) are required.
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