Medical Laboratory Careers Start at Lake Superior College!
Phlebotomy, Medical Lab Assistant (MLA) and Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) are excellent ways to start your career in healthcare! These programs are also a great way to start your education if you are headed to medical school, especially pathology.
- Start here as a phlebotomist or MLA
- Phlebotomy: Phlebotomist are a vital part of the healthcare team. Every test starts with the sample collection. Phlebotomists draw blood according to policy and procedures to ensure a good sample, every time. They work closely with the medical laboratory team as well as other healthcare departments such as nursing, surgery, and clinical staff in outpatient settings. Phlebotomy is a great way to get introduced to many areas within a hospital and outpatient setting while gaining patient bedside experience.
- 9 credit Certificate. Courses offered Fall, Spring, Summer
- No pre-program requirements, just enroll in the courses in correct sequence, as indicated on the program guide.
- Completed in one semester: two 8-week sessions including an internship.
- Start working as a phlebotomist in as little as 10 weeks after starting the program.
- Medical Lab Assistant (MLA): Medical laboratory assistants work closely with the phlebotomy and laboratory technicians and scientist. The MLA processes samples and prepares them for testing. MLAs may also perform simple to perform screening tests and quality control as well. MLAs communicate with members of the healthcare team outside of the laboratory, such as physicians and nurses, to order tests and problem solve.
- 24 Credit Certificate. Courses offered Fall and Spring.
- Most of the courses on the MLA program guide will count towards your MLT degree, so if you complete MLT later, you will have less courses to take.
- MLA courses are completed in one semester and include a three-week clinician practicum.
- Can be completed while waiting to enter MLT or another allied health program.
- Phlebotomy: Phlebotomist are a vital part of the healthcare team. Every test starts with the sample collection. Phlebotomists draw blood according to policy and procedures to ensure a good sample, every time. They work closely with the medical laboratory team as well as other healthcare departments such as nursing, surgery, and clinical staff in outpatient settings. Phlebotomy is a great way to get introduced to many areas within a hospital and outpatient setting while gaining patient bedside experience.
- Earn your Associates of Science as a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT): MLTs perform complex laboratory testing and apply clinical theory and critical thinking to ensure the accuracy of laboratory results on blood and other body fluid samples. The results provided by the MLT aid physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
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- 67 credit AAS degree. Program starts Fall semester only.
- Complete pre-program requirements plus 3 semesters of program coursework and one semester of clinical internship (10 weeks).
- Sit for the MLT board exam upon graduation. Our program has maintained a 100% pass rate on the ASCP BOC exam.
- Work in a clinical hospital laboratory, or a related field such as research or a reference laboratory upon graduation. MLT is a great way to gain laboratory skills if you are interested in pre-med or research.
- LSC’s MLT program is fully accredited by The National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) through 2027.
- Job placement is 100% for MLT student graduating from LSC for the past 5 years. Most students get hired where they complete their clinical internship.
- Earn your Bachelor of Science as a Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS): MLS perform testing similar to MLT but often will perform more complex testing as well as work in leadership roles. MLS often specialize in specific areas of the laboratory such as microbiology or hematology.
- After earning your MLT degree, complete the online MLS program through SCSU or other online MLT to MLS program.
- SCSU program is designed specifically for certified MLTs who are working and accepts all 67 credits from the LSC MLT program.
- MLS base pay is $7-9 more per hour than MLT
- MLS qualify for specialist roles in the lab as well as supervisor positions.
- First step in advancing their careers in the laboratory or related fields.
- If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you are eligible to sit for the MLS board exam after working as an MLT for one year! See https://www.ascp.org/content/board-of-certification/get-credentialed# MLS route 2
- Add the Histology Technician (HT) certificate, an additional certification in another high demand field!
- Two online courses from St. Cloud State can be completed any time during or after MLT.
Many scholarship opportunities available including LSCs own $500 MLT scholarship (2nd year students only), Education to Employment Opportunities, education reimbursement for those working 24hrs a week at most local hospitals, Work study available for MLT students ($16/hr).
Want more information on career laddering in the medical laboratory field?
Contact your advisor in Student Services or Crystal Schmidt, Laboratory Programs Director