What Is Medical Laboratory Technology?
Medical Laboratory Technology is an Allied Health specialty concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease through the use of clinical laboratory tests.

What Does A Medical Laboratory Technician Do?
Medical Laboratory Technicians are midlevel laboratory workers who function under the supervision of a Pathologist, Medical Technologist or Laboratory Supervisor. They perform various complicated hematological, chemical, immunological and microbiological tests on blood and body fluids.

Is Working With Blood And Body Fluids Dangerous?
All blood and body fluids have the potential to be infectious, however our program emphasizes the safe handling and disposal of all biohazard materials through the use of gloves, laboratory coats and protective shields. In addition, students are trained in the safe use and disposal of chemical agents, and the safe use of equipment commonly used in the clinical laboratory.

Will I Be Required To Take The Hepatitis B Vaccine Series?
Yes. The Hepatitis B vaccine series is required for all persons who will, or who are likely to, have contact with blood and body fluids. By completing the three shot series, students are able to build up antibodies against the Hepatitis B virus, and as a result, will be immune to the virus if they should be exposed to it. Students will not be permitted to begin their practicum rotations until they have completed the three shot series. Declining to take the full three shot series, for whatever reason, is not an option. This immunization series is for the student’s protection!

Are Jobs Available For Medical Laboratory Technicians?
Although it is impossible to guarantee employment for all of our graduates, the current and future outlook for positions in the field of Medical Technology is excellent. Job opportunities are available in Amarillo as well as the surrounding area. The greater demand, however, is increasing in the rural and metropolitan areas in other parts of the United States. A survey conducted by the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science indicates that out of 3,623 laboratories, 92% were currently having serious difficulty in filling new and vacant positions with qualified personnel.

In another study, it has been projected that, given the present circumstances, the shortage of qualified Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists will reach the critical level of approximately 53% between the years 2008 and 2010!

What Type Of Job Opportunities Are Available For Medical Laboratory Technicians?
Medical Laboratory Technicians may be employed in a variety of settings including hospital laboratories, physician's office laboratories, research laboratories, public health offices, pharmaceutical companies, criminal investigation agencies and veterinary reference laboratories.

What Kind Of Salary Can I Expect To Earn As A Medical Laboratory Technician?
The salaries for Medical Laboratory Technicians are competitive with other health care professionals with similar educational credentials. Salaries will vary according to the supply and demand of the area, but will average $13.50 to $17.00 per hour for new graduates. Salary increases usually follow the successful completion of a national Board of Registry examination, and subsequent certification as a Medical Laboratory Technician/Clinical Laboratory Technician.

How Can I Prepare For A Career In Medical Technology?
The Medical Laboratory Technology program at Amarillo College accepts up to 20 new students each year, and provides the necessary training to be eligible to write the national examination for certification for Medical Laboratory Technicians. This program is 24 months long, and requires the successful completion of 70 semester hours of college level courses, after which the student is awarded an Associate in Applied Science degree.

How Much Does It Cost To Complete This Program?
This is a very complex question. The total and semester-to-semester costs of the program will vary from student-to-student depending on:

• The residency status of the student
• The number of semester hours and accepted, transferable course hours already taken by the student
• The number and order of general education courses that the student chooses to take in a given semester, and
• The cost of books required/recommended for a given course.

Students are strongly advised to consult the current Amarillo College General Catalog to determine the general tuition and fees, laboratory fees, special supply and equipment fees, and also to contact the bookstore on their home campus, each semester, to determine their final costs.

Will I Have To Have A Criminal Background Check?
Yes. A criminal background check affecting ALL students majoring in any allied health or nursing profession in any U.S. college, is required. This criminal background check is mandated by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospital Organizations (JCAHO) and is based on JCAHO Standard H.R. 1.20.

During the application process, students are required to submit their name and social security number to PreCheck, Inc. and will be assessed a fee for the report payable to PreCheck, Inc. at the time of the report application. Students should contact PreCheck, Inc at 800-999-9861 for current pricing. If the report is returned to the Program Director/Education Coordinator with information regarding a student's past legal history that is unacceptable according to JCAHO Standard H.R. 1.20, the student will be advised that there is an “alert” on their background check, and they will be given the information required to contact PreCheck, Inc in order to correct any erroneous information or to rebut the information reported. The criminal background check will consist of:

• Criminal History County Level (three counties)

• Sexual Offender Registry/Predatory Registry

• Social Security Number Verification

• Positive Identification National Locator with Previous Address

• Maiden/AKA Name Search

• Medicare/Medicaid Sanctioned, Excluded Individuals Report

• Office of Research Integrity (ORI) Search

• Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA) Search

• FDA Debarment Check

• National Wants & Warrants Submission

• Investigative Application Review (by Licensed Investigator)

• Adverse Action Letter (to Comply with the Fair Credit Act)

• State Mandated Requirements

• Misconduct Registry Search

• Executive Order 13224 Terrorism Sanctions Regulations

• Fiscal Intermediary Personnel Search

The following criminal histories may disqualify an individual from participation in any of the MLAB Clinical/Practicum courses required to complete the Medical Laboratory Technology program curriculum. As a result, the student would be unable to complete curriculum requirements necessary to receive their degree in Medical Laboratory Technology:

• Misdemeanor convictions/deferred adjudication or felony convictions/deferred adjudications involving crimes against persons (physical or sexual abuse),

• Misdemeanor convictions/deferred adjudication related to moral turpitude (prostitution, public lewdness/exposure, etc.),

• Felony convictions/deferred adjudications for the sale, possession, distribution, or transfer of narcotics or controlled substances,

• Registered sex offenders.

If a student is concerned that they may not “pass” the background check to meet the JCAHO Standard H.R. 1.20, they may wish to consult with a private attorney prior to submission of their application for program admission.

Will I Have To Go Out Of Town For My Practicum?
Yes. ALL students should be prepared to serve one to two clinical rotations at an out-of-town site. It is the responsibility of the student to make personal arrangements for transportation, child care, etc... when assigned to an out-of-town rotation.

How Can I Apply For Admission To The Medical Technology Program?
Students must apply to Amarillo College and also make a separate application to the Medical Laboratory Technology program. All the forms and materials necessary for admission to the MLT program may be obtained by contacting the MLT department, or students can download and complete the application packet (pdf format), and submit it to the MLT department. Application forms for Amarillo College may be found in the current college catalog or they may be obtained from the Registrar's Office on any of the Amarillo College campuses. If you need additional information, please contact the Medical Laboratory Technology office at (806) 354-6059 or (806) 354-6060, or the Allied Health Division Secretary at (806) 354-6055.

For more questions and answers, download the MLT application packet.