Program Information
The Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) program at San Jacinto College will help you learn the skills you need to work in this critical health care position. With our certificate program, you are trained to be part of the clinical lab team collecting, labeling and processing specimens, recording information, as well as maintaining equipment.
You’ll enjoy classes and labs as well as on-site experience at our affiliate hospital sites. After completing the one-year certificate, you’ll be eligible to apply to take the national certification examination given by the American Medical Technologists (AMT).
Career Opportunities
Job opportunities for graduates of the MLA program include but are not limited to:
- Hospital and clinical laboratories,
- Research and specialty laboratories,
- Outpatient and doctors' offices, and
- Urgent Care and free-standing ER clinics/labs.
For more information, students may contact the program Administrative Assistant at 281-478-3612 or the Program Director at lindsey.johnson@sjcd.edu.
Campus
Central Campus
Information
Upon completion of this program, including theory and labs on campus and at affiliate hospital sites, students earn an Occupational Certificate and are eligible to apply to take the national certification exam given by the American Medical Technologists (AMT).
Students enrolling into San Jacinto College programs with external learning experiences (i.e., clinical, practicum, externship, cooperative, etc.) will be required to comply with the immunization requirements and policies of the clinical/external learning sites to engage in all clinical/external learning experiences. Vaccination requirements at clinical/external learning sites are implemented pursuant to the independent authority of such facilities and are not mandated by San Jacinto College. Failure to meet the immunization requirements mandated by clinical/external learning sites may limit a student’s ability to complete the program and/or may delay the student’s graduation date. San Jacinto College does not process exemptions, and students should address potential vaccination exemptions directly with the clinical/external learning site.
A criminal background check and/or alcohol and drug screening is required of all health science students attending clinical courses or practicums and may be required prior to admission to the program.
Medical Laboratory Assistant students must earn a grade of C or above in each Medical Laboratory Assistant course and maintain an overall grade point average of at least 2.0 in order to graduate from the Medical Laboratory Assistant program.
If a student earns a grade of D, W, or F in a Medical Laboratory Assistant course, the student will be required to repeat the course in which the unsatisfactory grade was earned and pass that course with a grade of C or better to progress.
Clinical practicum absences must be made up within the term in which they occur.
Because clinical practicum space is limited, students are admitted on a competitive basis. The program application can be found on the Medical Laboratory Assistant page of the San Jacinto College website. Those seeking additional information should contact the Medical Laboratory Program Director or the Department Chair for allied health. Applications for admission to the spring term class are accepted beginning in August.
Students are required to purchase uniforms and accessories. Each student is responsible for their own transportation to the clinical areas.
Admission
In accordance with Texas House Bill 1508, the College informs all students in this program who may have a criminal background that a criminal history could keep graduates from being licensed by the state of Texas. Students with any questions about their background and licensure may speak with the Department Chair.
Applicants must meet all College general admission requirements.
Students who apply for admission to the Medical Laboratory Assistant program will be ranked based on their scoring on the Medical Laboratory Assistant selection Criteria Point System. Meeting the minimum requirements for admission does not guarantee admission.
Students must apply for admission to the program of Medical Laboratory Assistant by completing a formal application online at the Medical Laboratory Assistant page of the San Jacinto College website and submitting all required official documents to the San Jacinto College Records Management Department.
Applicants to the Medical Laboratory Assistant program will be notified by email regarding their program admission status. Applicants who are not selected for admission to the Medical Laboratory Assistant program must re-apply if they want to be considered for the next term. Applicants who are accepted for admission to the Medical Laboratory Assistant program but who do not enroll must re-apply. Applicants must meet the College’s general admission requirements as well as the program admission criteria.
After acceptance into the program, an applicant must have a physical examination by a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician's assistant and attend an orientation with a member of the Medical Laboratory Assistant program.
Students are required to purchase uniforms and accessories.
Plan of Study
6MED-LBAS
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Term | Credits | |
| HPRS 1206 | Essentials of Medical Terminology | 2 |
| PLAB 1223 | Phlebotomy | 2 |
| MLAB 1201 | Introduction to Clinical Laboratory Science | 2 |
| HPRS 2301 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| HPRS 1101 | Introduction to Health Professions | 1 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Second Term | ||
| HPRS 2321 | Medical Law and Ethics for Health Professionals | 3 |
| HPRS 1209 | Interpretation of Laboratory Results | 2 |
| MLAB 1167 | Practicum Clinical Medical Laboratory Technician | 1 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Capstone Experience: HPRS 1209 Interpretation of Laboratory Results
Medical Laboratory Technology students must earn a grade of C or above in each Medical Laboratory Technology course and required science courses and maintain an overall grade point average of at least 2.0 to graduate from the Medical Laboratory Technology program.