Is a Career in
Medical Laboratory
Technology
for you?
Here are some answers
to your questions!
What is a Medical
Laboratory Technologist?
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Lab Techs work with blood, urine, feces,
spinal fluid and tissue and utilize
complex instruments, microscopes and
manual methods to perform lab tests:
There is some patient contact through
blood drawing.
 What
are the steps to enrollment?
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Complete and submit a York Technical College Application
Take the placement test or submit SAT/ACT scores
Submit college transcripts (if applicable)
Meet with an Admissions Counselor
Be accepted to the Pre-Medical Lab Tech program
Work with your advisor each term
Meet requirements for program goal
Meet with an Admissions Counselor
Pay the $50.00 wait list fee
Pay the $100.00 deposit when seat is available
Maintain 2.0 GPR each semester
Fulfill entry criteria
Physical Exam
Criminal Background Check
Health and liability insurance
Can
I get a job after I
graduate from this
program?
Laboratory Technologist –
Works in hospital labs,
reference labs, doctors’ offices,
veterinary offices, industrial and
environmental labs
 Medical
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Four major areas of study/employment
 Blood Bank – blood transfusion preparation
 Hematology – study blood cells, urine, clotting
factors
 Microbiology – works with bacteria, parasites,
viruses
 Chemistry- tests blood for multiple chemicals
such as glucose, cholesterol, drugs of abuse,
and many more substances
 Currently
there is a
shortage of MLTs.

The majority of York
Technical College
?
graduates are employed
within three to six months
of graduation.
 What
salary will I make after
completing this program?
 The average entry level salary
range is $26,000 to $38,000/year.
Earning potential is higher for 2nd
& 3rd shift work.
 What
types of work will I
participate in?
 Manual and automated
testing of blood, body
fluids, and tissue
specimens.
Things To Consider
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Curriculum is rigorous – requires extensive reading,
study time and good time management skills- takes 21
months to complete
Program runs concurrently – starts only once each fall;
if you withdraw or fail an MLT course you have to
reapply to be able to start over the next fall
Jobs are plentiful; entry level pay is $12.50 - $16.00/hr;
1st , 2nd and 3rd shift jobs – may work some holidays
Critical thinking required on the job
Stress level – medium to high
Must be a team player as well as able to work
independently
Very interesting and rewarding field of study
How
time-consuming
is this program?
 MLT
courses are intense and require
adequate, ongoing study time. During
the senior year, students are in clinical
rotations 24 hours per week (daytime
hours M-F only) in addition to taking an
online course. This schedule makes it
difficult to work a full-time job while
enrolled in the program. If a student
must work, it is highly recommended
that you work no more than 20 hours/wk
How much studying will I need to do?
 Each student’s requirement for
studying varies. Since there is so
much information that is covered
during each class session, it is advised
that the student study 2 – 3 hours each
night. Students who procrastinate and
wait to study on the night before the
test often find that they are not
successful in this program.
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How
stressful is the
clinical environment?
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The program can be quite stressful. During the
freshman year, material learned must be
retained for the upcoming clinical year. In the
clinical year, students are acquiring hands on
skills to make the connection between theory
and practice. Students must be willing to
become motivated, independent learners and
accept constructive criticism while in the clinical
setting.
What
types of patients
and diseases may I
encounter?
 Medical
Laboratory Technicians may
be exposed to many different types
of diseases such as AIDS and
tuberculosis. Students enrolled in
the program are taught safety
precautions for ways to protect
themselves from contracting a
disease.
 Will
I actually be required to
touch patients?
 Yes! MLT students go through
a phlebotomy rotation where
they draw blood from
patients.
Will I see blood in the clinical
setting?
 Blood, urine, spinal fluid and feces
are common specimens that Medical
Laboratory Technicians work with in
their clinical rotations.
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 Is
there a great deal of physical
work associated with this field?
 Sitting, standing, and walking are
common in each area of the lab.
The student may occasionally be
required to lift objects weighing
from 5 to 20 lbs.
Are there a lot of assignments that
must be completed on my own time?
 There are online courses and
computer assisted instruction (CAI)
assignments in the MLT program
that require time outside of class to
complete.
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Are there opportunities for advancement in
my career?
 MLTs may become supervisors in some
institutions. The MLT degree can be used as
a stepping stone toward a 4yr. degree.
There are opportunities in hospitals,
clinics, industry and veterinary labs.
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 What
type of special skills do I need to
possess in order to be a successful
Medical Laboratory Technician?
Skills Needed in MLT
Responsible/reliable
 Flexible/adaptable
 Good communication skills
 Like working with people and equipment
 Strong interest in science
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 Make
An Informed
and Realistic Choice
Things to consider
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Curriculum is rigorous – requires extensive reading, study
time and good time management skills- takes 21 months to
complete
Program runs concurrently – starts only once each fall; if
you withdraw or fail an MLT course you have to reapply to
be able to start over the next fall
Jobs are plentiful; entry level pay is $12.50 - $16.00/hr; 1st ,
2nd and 3rd shift jobs – may work some holidays
Critical thinking required on the job
Stress level – medium to high
Must be a team player as well as able to work
independently
Very interesting and rewarding field of study
Make an INFORMED and
REALISTIC CHOICE
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The grading scale for the Medical Laboratory
Technology program for both coursework and
clinicals:
90-100, A; 80- 89, B; 70-79, C; 65-69, D; Below
65, F.
Students MUST maintain a MINIMUM grade point
average of 2.0 to remain in the program. All MLT
courses must be passed with a C or better
(minimum score 70)
For the clinical rotations, the student must pass
both the theory and clinical portions in order to pass
In other words…
Students who earn any grade below a
C in any Medical Laboratory
Technology course will not be
eligible to continue.
 It is very difficult for students to work
more than 20 hours per week and be
successful in this program.
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 What
are the expenses
for the program?
ESTIMATED Expenses
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Tuition & fees for five semesters (in county) $8,740
Textbooks
$1200
Uniforms
$200
Liability Insurance
$15
Health Insurance
$944 -$1370
(if purchased through York Technical College)
Physical Exam
$125
TB Testing
$45
Recommended Hepatitis Vaccine
$240
Criminal Background Check
$50
Drug Screen
$10
CPR Certification
$50
SCSCLS Student Membership
$50
Certification Exam Fee
$125
What will I be called when I complete
the program?
 Graduates are called MLTs. Once the
national test (American Society of
Clinical Pathology Board of
Certification) is passed, the MLT is
referred to as MLT(ASCP), American
Society of Clinical Pathologists.
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What is the difference between a
MLT and a MT?
 A MLT has an associate degree (2
yr degree) and an MT possesses a 4
yr degree. MLTs do the majority of
lab testing while MT’s take on
supervisory or management roles.
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Will I be required to complete
additional training once I become
certified?
 Continuing education in the form of
workshops, classes, etc. is the norm
for MLTs and is required to maintain
certification.
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Can You
Picture Yourself
in a Career in
Medical
Laboratory Technology?
If so, you may have additional
questions.
 Please feel free to contact:
 Lynne Fantry
Program Manager at 981-7082
(lfantry@yorktech.edu)
 OR
 Michelle

Gagan-
Clinical Coordinator at 981-7118
(mgagan@yorktech.edu