Medical Laboratory Technician Program

A Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) performs routine, moderate level complexity testing on human blood and body fluids. The results generated provide scientific information needed in the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of diseases. MLT's utilize sophisticated instrumentation to perform testing, which includes qualitative and quantitative chemical and biological analyses of human body specimens. MLT's are mid-level practitioners that are supervised by Clinical Laboratory Scientists (CLS).

MLT's are an integral part of the healthcare team. All scientific data generated by the laboratory provides information for 70% of all medical decisions. Without a laboratory scientist, the doctor is just guessing!

Explore a Career in Laboratory Science!

Southwestern College's MLT program trains students for a career in laboratory medicine. The program is a California state approved program as well as nationally accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).  Graduates of the MLT program are eligible to take a nationally recognized certification exam administered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Certification from ASCP is considered to be the Gold Standard certification in the laboratory industry. Possession of the certification allows an individual to perform laboratory science functions in every state.

NAACLS standards require keeping track of and reporting graduation rates, ASCP certification exam pass rates, and placement/employment rates. Southwestern College MLT program prides itself on the success of its students. Below are the most recent three years of data.

Year

Graduation
rates

ASCP certification
exam pass rates

Placement/Employment rates
(based upon graduate responses received)
2021 100% 88% 83%
2022 100% 100% 100%
2023 100% 100% 79% at 6 months; resurvey 12/2024

The accreditation award for the MLT program at Southwestern College following the changes that NAACLS requires is linked below. 

NAACLS
5600 N. River Road, Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018-5119
Phone: (773) 714-8880; Email: info@naacls.org

NAACLS Accreditation Award

Get In Touch

Questions About the MLT Program?

Deanna Reinacher

Director, Medical Laboratory Technician and Medical Office Professions Programs

mailto:dreinacher(at)swccd(dot)edu(619) 216-6673