A Rewarding Career Working
in the Medical Field

Western Piedmont Community College’s Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) program prepares you to work in medical labs, performing clinical procedures in chemistry, hematology, microbiology, and immunohematology as part of the team that provides health maintenance, diagnosis and treatment of disease to patients.

Topics covered include mathematical and scientific concepts related to specimen collection, laboratory testing and procedures, quality assurance and reporting, recording, and interpreting findings from tests involving tissues, blood and body fluids.

Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) MLT examination.

You should consult your advisor for information about course scheduling before enrolling in any MLT classes.

Brand New CCP Program Option for High School Students

So where can I work?

If you graduate with an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology at WPCC, you will be prepared for jobs in medical labs in a variety of settings, including

• #1 Hospital Laboratories & Diagnostic Laboratories
• Doctor’s Offices
• Blood and Organ Banks
• Nursing Facilities
• Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Companies
• Public Health Organizations
• Research Facilities
• Reference Laboratories
• Medical/Laboratory Equipment Sales Companies
• Travel Laboratory Technician/Technologist

Statistics from ONET Online suggest that the salary (median to high) range for medical lab technicians in North Carolina is from $38,000 to $61,000 per year.

You must apply for admission to the Medical Laboratory Technology program separate from enrolling at WPCC. Here is general information about the application process. If you have questions, please contact us.

WPCC New Student Application

Western Piedmont operates under an “open door” admission policy. All people, 18 years of age or older, or who are high school graduates, and who are able to profit from further formal education, will be served by the College. The college serves all students regardless of race, religion, association, sex, age, disability, or ethnic origin.

Eligibility Requirements

1. High school diploma or High School Equivalency diploma.
2. Eligible to take ENG 111 or higher without a co-requisite.
3. Eligible to take MAT 143 or higher with a co-requisite.
4. Schedule and participate in a personal interview with the Program Coordinator of the Medical Laboratory Technology program following the College admission and testing process.
5. Meet with or without accommodation Essential Functions (available in the MLT program office) required to perform the tasks of a medical laboratory technician.

Admission Information

Notification of acceptance to the MLT program is given in April prior to the Fall Semester start date. All academic requirements must be completed prior to the acceptance date. If space is available, you may be admitted until the Fall Semester. In the event the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of spaces available in the program, admission will be granted based upon the application date of qualified applicants.

If you are accepted into the MLT Program, you  must return the acceptance form and completed Essential Functions form before your admission is confirmed. A copy of the MLT Student Policies will be sent to you upon confirmation of admission. These rules and College Academic Policies apply to all students enrolled in the MLT Program. You must meet MLT Program requirements for that entering class.

Certified Laboratory Assistants may be eligible for advanced placement in certain MLT courses or given experiential credit for clinical courses.

Program Information

1. 

   You are strongly encouraged to complete the Anatomy and Physiology Elective and CHM 130/A prior to entering the MLT program. *You may substitute CHM 131 and CHM 132 or CHM 151 and CHM 152 for CHM 130/A. You may also substitute BIO 168 and BIO 169 for the Anatomy and Physiology Elective.

2. You must purchase liability insurance through the MLT program.
3. Following admission:
   1. You must meet safety standards for health care workers exposure to bloodborne pathogens by attending the Bloodborne Pathogen Training in MLT 110 and completing the HBV immunization or signing the mandatory declination forms.
   2. You must meet confidentiality standards by attending a HIPAA training session in MLT 110.
   3. You must purchase and wear uniforms consistent with the uniform guidelines for WPCC laboratory and Clinical affiliates.
4. After completing the first year of the MLT Program and prior to Clinical Practicum:
   1. You must submit documentation (Medical Appraisal Form) of physical and emotional health to the MLT Program.
   2. You must submit a completed criminal background check and drug screen to the clinical facility for approval to participate in clinical training in the facility.
   3. You must provide personal transportation to assigned clinical affiliate which may require up to one hour travel time.

If a clinical facility denies admission to you due to the results of the criminal background check or drug screen, you will not be able to complete the MLT program. You should refer to the Medical Laboratory Technology Program Policy Manual for additional information on policies and procedures.

What You Will Study

The Medical Laboratory Technology program at WPCC offers an Associate in Applied Science Degree:

Find Your Way at WPCC!