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The Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program at
NIACC prepares men and women to work under the supervision of the medical technologist,
pathologist, or other qualified physician in a medical laboratory. A technician performs
tests that aid in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
The MLT program is a cooperative program with Hawkeye
Community College in Waterloo, Iowa. The first two semesters of the program
may be taken at NIACC and the completion of the program is taken at Hawkeye
Community College. The final semester of the program is provided in the
clinical setting, which may occur in a location of the student’s choice.
This placement is dependent on a space available basis in the agency of
choice.
Duties include:
collection of blood and other specimens
preparation and examination of stained slides of
blood cells or bacteria
microscopic examination of urine, blood, and other
body fluids
grouping and typing of blood
analysis of body fluids for chemical components
Entrance Requirements:
Students must make formal application for the medical Laboratory Technology
Program to Hawkeye Community College. Students may prepare for the program
and complete two semesters of the MLT Program while attending NIACC.
Applicants must be high school graduates or the equivalent to be eligible
for admission to the Medical Laboratory Technology Program. Applicants must
then satisfy at least one of the following routes of requirements for entry
into the program:
Route 1: Score at least the following standard score on each COMPASS
assessment (43 on Algebra, 82 on Reading, and 65 on Writing) or receive a
standard score of 19 on each of the ACT subtests of Math, Reading, and
English. Students must also have completed one year of high school algebra,
chemistry, and biology.
Route 2: Successfully complete the following NIACC courses with a 2.00 GPA:
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ENG-015
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Elements of Writing
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RDG-125
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College Reading
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MAT-063
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Elementary Algebra
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BIO-102
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Introductory Biology AND
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BIO-103
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Introductory Biology Lab
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Route 3: Successfully complete 4 out of the following 6 courses at HCC or
NIACC with a minimum grade point average of 2.75:
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MLT-101
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Intro to Lab Science (NIACC)
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MAT-110
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Math for Liberal Arts (NIACC)
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HSC-120
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Medical Terminology (NIACC)
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MLT-120
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Urinalysis (NIACC)
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MLT-110
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Fundamental Lab Techniques (HCC)
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MLT-130
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Hematology I (HCC)
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Curriculum
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First Semester - NIACC
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BIO-206
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Anatomy and Physiology
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I 4 s.h.
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CHM-122
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Introductory Chemistry
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4 s.h.
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ENG-102
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Composition & Speech
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I 3 s.h.
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MLT-101*
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Intro to Lab Science
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2 s.h.
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SOC-110
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Sociology OR
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PSY-111
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Introduction to Psychology
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3 s.h.
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Total
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16 s.h.
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Second Semester - NIACC
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BIO-186
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Microbiology
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4 s.h.
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BIO-207
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Anatomy and Physiology II
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4 s.h.
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MLT-120*
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Urinalysis I
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3 s.h.
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HSC-120
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Medical Terminology
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I 3 s.h.
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SPC-111
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Public Speaking
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2 s.h.
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Total
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16 s.h.
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Summer Session - Hawkeye
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MLT250
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Clinical Microbiology
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I 4 s.h.
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MLT110*
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Fundamental Lab Techniques
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3 s.h.
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MLT130
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Hematology I
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3 s.h.
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Total
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10 s.h.
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Third Semester - Hawkeye
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MLT230
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Advanced Hematology
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3 s.h.
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MLT240
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Clinical Chemistry I
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7 s.h.
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MLT233
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Hemostasis & Thrombosis
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2 s.h.
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MLT260
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Immunohematology I
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4 s.h.
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MLT270
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Immunology & Serology I
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2 s.h.
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MLT252
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Parasitology
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1 s.h.
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Total
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18 s.h.
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Fourth Semester -
Area II Clinical Sites*
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MLT285
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Clinical Chemistry II
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4 s.h.
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MLT288
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Clinical Microbiology II
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4 s.h.
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Clinical Practium
(24 week term)
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MLT287
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Hematology II
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4 s.h.
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MLT284
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Immunohematology II
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2 s.h.
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MLT286
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Immunology & Serology II
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1 s.h.
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MLT291
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Lab Survey & Review
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1 s.h.
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MLT283
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Urinalysis II
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1 s.h.
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Total
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17 s.h.
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*Courses may be taken prior to acceptance into the MLT program at Hawkeye
Community College.
Applying to the Program
Application packets are available in the Student Services Office. The
applicant must complete the application process through the health
professions counselor located in the Student Services Office. Applications
can be submitted at any time, and thirty students are accepted into the
program each year. All applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be
accepted in order of the date on their application.
Program Strengths
The faculty and students have identified the following as strengths of the
MLT program:
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The cooperative agreement with Hawkeye Community College allows students
in the NIACC area to receive classes in the first year of the curriculum on
the NIACC campus.
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Students have an extensive 24-week final clinical internship at the end of
the program.
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Students are eligible to take a national certification exam.
Degree Earned
Upon completion of the prescribed curriculum, the student is awarded an
Associate in Applied Science Degree by Hawkeye Community College. The
program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical
Laboratory Sciences. Graduates of the Medical Laboratory Technician Program
are eligible for the national certification examination. Medical Laboratory
Technicians may continue their education at the college level and become
Medical Technologists.
Employment Outlook
The Medical Laboratory Technician program continues to have an outstanding
graduate placement rate of 100 percent. The number of jobs continues to
exceed the number of graduates.
For information on the MLT program at NIACC, e-mail Donna Orton at North Iowa Area Community
College, 500 College Drive, Mason City, IA 50401 (1-888-GO NIACC).
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