Medical Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship
A medical laboratory technician (MLT) is a healthcare professional who performs laboratory tests and procedures to assist physicians and other healthcare providers in diagnosing and treating patients. They work in medical laboratories, hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities.
Job Tasks
Overall Medical Laboratory Technicians play a vital role in healthcare by performing laboratory tests that aid in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases and medical conditions. Their work is essential for providing accurate and timely information to support patient care decisions.
Conducting Laboratory Tests: MLTs perform a variety of laboratory tests on patient samples, such as blood, urine, tissue, and other bodily fluids. These tests can include blood chemistry analyses, microbiological cultures, hematology tests, and immunological assays.
Operating Laboratory Equipment: MLTs are trained to operate and maintain various types of laboratory equipment, including microscopes, centrifuges, spectrophotometers, and automated analyzers. They ensure that equipment is calibrated properly and that tests are conducted accurately.
Analyzing Results: After conducting tests, MLTs analyze the results and report findings to physicians and other healthcare providers. They must accurately interpret test results and identify any abnormalities or deviations from normal ranges.
Quality Control: MLTs are responsible for maintaining the quality and accuracy of laboratory testing procedures. They perform quality control checks on equipment and test results to ensure reliability and precision.
Record Keeping and Documentation: MLTs maintain detailed records of laboratory tests and results, including patient information, test procedures, and outcomes. They ensure that all documentation meets regulatory requirements and standards of practice.
Adhering to Safety Protocols: MLTs follow strict safety protocols and procedures to minimize the risk of contamination, infection, and injury in the laboratory. They handle hazardous materials and biological specimens with care and dispose of them properly.
Program Structure
The MLT Apprenticeship is a 1-to-2-year apprenticeship program that provides hands on instruction in the classroom and on the job. Completers earn the ACC Associate of Applied Science in Medical Technology.
This program is offered with credit-bearing coursework made up of general education courses and medical laboratory technician courses. Some employer partners require apprentices to complete all general education courses prior to starring the apprenticeship. Interested candidates can reach out to an Apprenticeship Navigator to learn more about transferring prior college credit for the general education courses. Call Workforce and Community Programs at 303.797.5722 and ask to speak with an Apprenticeship Navigator.
General Education Courses:
BIO 2101 / Human Antimony and Physiology I with Lab / 4 Credits
BIO 2102 / Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab /4 Credits
CHE 1011 / Introduction to Chemistry I with Lab / 5 Credits or CHE 1111/ General College Chemistry I / 5 Credits
CIS 1018 / Introduction to PC Applications / 3 Credits
COM 1150 / Public Speaking / 3 Credits or COM 125 / Interpersonal Communication / 3 Credits
ENG 1021 / English Composition I / 3 Credits or ENG 131 / Technical Writing I / 3 Credits
HPR 1040 / Comprehensive Medical Terminology / 3 Credits
MLT Courses:
MLT 1031 / Introduction to Hematology / 2 Credits
MLT 1032 / Hematology II / 4 Credits
MLT 1041 / Immunology/Immunohematology / 4 Credits
MLT 1042 / Urinalysis / 2 Credits
MLT 1080 / Internship/Blood Banking / 1 Credit
MLT 2031 / Clinical Microbiology / 4 Credits
MLT 2032 / Parasitology/ Mycology / 2 Credits
MLT 2041 / Introduction to Clinical Chemistry / 2 Credits
MLT 2042 / Clinical Chemistry II / 4 Credits
MLT 2053 / Seminar/Comprehensive Exam / 1 Credit
MLT 2080 / Internship/Clinical Chemistry / 5 Credits
MLT 2082 / Internship IV/Microbiology / 2 Credits
Students will work anywhere from 10-20 hours a week at their assigned healthcare organization. They will attend weekly cohort class session on Fridays and Saturdays that will teach, review, and assess program competencies from that week’s assignments.
Admission Requirements
To be eligible to participate in this program, a student must:
Complete all general education courses for the Medical Laboratory Technology Program.
Submit the ACC Medical Lab Technician program application online and speak with the MLT Program Chair.
Attend a Medical Laboratory Technology Orientation.
Attend an interview with participating healthcare organization.
Be accepted for employment as a Medical Laboratory Technician Apprentice with one of the participating healthcare organizations.
Program Cost & Financial Assistance
The cost of this apprenticeship program is approximately $6,500 (with COF and not including the general education courses), as tuition is adjusted each academic year. See ACC’s Tuition and Fees to learn more.
The cost of the program is the responsibility of the student.
Some of the participating healthcare organizations provide financial assistance to the students for Medical Laboratory Technician courses.
Students are eligible to apply for federal financial aid to cover the credit courses.
Program Completion
Students are eligible to earn a Medical Laboratory Technology associate of applied science degree from ACC if they:
Complete the required pre-requisite courses and pass each college-credit course with a minimum grade of “C.”
Participating Healthcare Organizations
The following healthcare organizations are currently participating in this apprenticeship program with ACC:
![CommonSpirit logo](/sites/default/files/wcp/commonspirit-logo.png)
![Kaiser Permanente logo](/sites/default/files/wcp/kp-logo.jpg)
Next Steps
Contact
Workforce and Community Programs
apprenticeships [at] arapahoe [dot] edu (apprenticeships[at]arapahoe[dot]edu)
303.797.5722