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Become a Laboratory Technician and Make Your Mark on Health Care

The clinical laboratory technology (CLT) associate in applied science (AAS) program provides a combination of theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in various areas of laboratory testing, including microbiology, hematology, clinical chemistry and immunology. 
 
STLCC is one of the longest running, continuously accredited clinical laboratory technology programs in the region. Each year, 25 students who meet the application requirements are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The program begins each fall semester. Coursework includes lectures and laboratory procedures. The following fall semester, students are assigned to clinical affiliates for internship and clinical practice. 

What is Clinical Laboratory Technology at St. Louis Community College?

Clinical laboratory technology, also known as medical laboratory technology, involves analyzing and conducting tests on biological samples such as blood, urine and tissues. These trained professionals play a vital role assisting physicians with accurate diagnosis, monitoring disease and treatment planning. 

Who Are Clinical Laboratory Technologists? 

Clinical or medical laboratory technicians are key members of the health care team and serve as a vital part of the elaborate framework of modern care. Technicians are trained in laboratory techniques that help diagnose, treat, prevent diseases and maintain health.

Most technicians work in hospitals, medical and diagnostic laboratories, and physician offices. The medical or clinical laboratory technician performs qualitative, quantitative and analytic testing in microbiology, hematology, blood banking (immunohematology), clinical chemistry, immunology and urinalysis. If you enjoy science, can work well both on a team and on your own, then the CLT program has all the elements of a successful career path for you. 

 
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What Can You do with a Clinical Laboratory Technology Degree? 

With a clinical laboratory technology associate degree, you can become a certified medical laboratory technician (MLT). In this role, you perform various diagnostic tests, analyze samples and assist in disease detection and monitoring, playing a crucial part in the health care team. 
 
Graduates of this program are qualified for entry-level positions as clinical/medical laboratory technicians. Employment opportunities are widely available in hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices, independent laboratories, public health, research and industrial laboratories. Hospitals employ 45 percent of technicians, while 22 percent of technicans work in medical and diagnostic laboratories. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of clinical laboratory technicians is expected to grow by seven percent between 2021 and 2031.  

AAS Medical Laboratory Technology 

  • Degree offered: Associates in applied science 
  • Locations: Forest Park
  • Hours to complete: 70
  • Program contact name: Minini Numbere
  • Program contact email: mnumbere@stlcc.edu
  • Accreditation:
    Accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
    5600 N. River Road, Suite 720
    Rosemont, IL 60018
    Phone: 772-714- 8880
    naacls.org
  • This program meets the educational requirements for state licensure in Illinois. Students interested in pursuing licensure in a different state should contact the program coordinator for more information.

Tuition for district residents is $122 per credit hour for in-district students. Find out more about our straightforward and low-cost tuition structure.

Admission Requirements

Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in high school or for 15 hours (minimum) of college work. Students with fewer than 15 hours of college credit must have both a 2.5 GPA in high school and a 2.5 GPA in college. 

Applicants with a high school equivalency certificate must have 15 hours of 100 level or higher college credits with a minimum 2.5 GPA.

STLCC students with at least 15 college-level credits with at least a 2.5 GPA will have met this requirement, regardless of the GPA at other colleges.

Transfer students with fewer than 15 STLCC credits must have a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA in college-level credits earned.

All students must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher to remain on the wait list.

NOTE: Developmental courses (numbered below 100) will not be counted toward the 15 hours of college work and will not be included in the GPA calculation for admission to the program.

Essential Functions 

Students in the clinical laboratory technology program must meet the essential requirements, which are the non-academic standards that a student must master. Examples of this program's essential functions:

Standard:

Examples of necessary skills:

Observation and sensory skills sufficient to observe and perform laboratory procedures
  • Observe laboratory demonstrations, procedures and use of  instruments
  • Have sufficient level of hearing to determine both high and low levels of frequency and amplitude
  • Employ a clinical grade binocular microscope to discriminate among fine differences in structure and color
  • Read and comprehend text, numbers and graphs displayed in print or on a video monitor
Physical abilities sufficient to maneuver as required to perform laboratory procedures
  • Move freely and safely in a laboratory
  • Perform moderately strenuous continuous physical work, often requiring prolonged sitting or standing  
  • Travel to clinical laboratory sites for practical experience
  • Reach laboratory bench tops and shelves, patients lying in hospital beds or patients seated in specimen collection furniture
  • Use phlebotomy and culture acquisition equipment to collect laboratory specimens from patients
  • Control laboratory equipment (i.e. pipettes, inoculating loops, test tubes, etc.) and adjust instruments safely and accurately
  • Manipulate an electronic keyboard to operate laboratory instruments
Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others
  • Read and comprehend technical and professional materials 
  • Follow oral and written instructions in order to correctly perform laboratory test procedures
  • Clearly instruct patients prior to specimen collection
  • Effectively, confidentially and sensitively communicate with patients regarding test orders and specimen collection
  • Communicate effectively with instructors, peers, laboratory staff and other health care professionals 
Intellectual ability and critical thinking skills sufficient for clinical judgment and professional behavior
  • Comprehension, measurement, mathematical calculation, reasoning and self-expression 
  • Recognize and correct common performance deviations
  • Critically evaluate your performance and accept constructive criticism
  • Perform multiple tasks and establish priorities
  • Organize workload and manage time in order to complete technical tasks within realistic time limits
Ability to behave and respond professionally to various situations to ensure your own safety and that of others
  • Calmly react to urgent situations
  • Recognize own stress level and communicate need for assistance appropriately
  • Be flexible and creative and adapt to professional and technical change
  • Follow established safety procedures
  • Utilize appropriate laboratory safety equipment
  • Adapt to working with unpleasant biological and potentially hazardous specimens
  • Support peers and other health care professionals in order to promote a team approach to learning, task completion, problem-solving and patient care
  • Be honest and forthright about errors
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Program Outcomes

Graduate certification rates demonstrating an average of at least 75% pass rate.

2020 2021 2022 2023
91% 83% 100% 80%
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Graduation rates demonstrating an average of at least 70% of students who have begun the final half of the program go on to successfully graduate.

2020 2021 2022 2023
100% 89% 100% 100%
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Job placement rates demonstrating that an average of at least 70% of respondent graduates either find employment in the field or a closely related field, or continue their education.

2020 2021 2022 2023
100% 97% 100% 100%
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Check All Program Requirements

Why You Should Choose STLCC's Medical Lab Tech Program

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Graduate with Little or No Debt

We believe cost should never be a barrier to achieving your potential. Save over $4,700 per year with tuition that's one-third lower than other local institutions. 

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Ramp Up High Wage Skills

STLCC offers career-focused programs for high-wage, high-skill and in-demand jobs. STLCC provides opportunities for college transfers, career development and workforce training. 

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Caring for Students

STLCC goes beyond academics with support services, ranging from stress and anxiety management to grants for childcare, emergency crisis support, clothing and free meals through Archers' Market and Brown Bag Cafe food pantry. We offer free tutoring on campus or online, plus access to Tutor.com.

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Helping Students Overcome Barriers

STLCC partners with the U.S. Department of Education to offer TRIO, supporting first generation and other students from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO helps students earn more credits, obtiain a higher GPA, gain valuable skills and build a stronger community.

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