Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 University Catalog 
    
2021-2022 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Medical Laboratory Technology, A.S.


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All MLT and science courses must be passed with a “C+” or higher for successful student completetion.

Vision

“Providing Quality MLT Education to Communities Across the State of Maine.”

Program Overview

The Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) Program of Maine was created as a collaborative effort between the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI) and the University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) in cooperation with hospitals across the state that serve as clinical affiliates. Medical Laboratory Technology is a two-year program leading to an Associate of Science in MLT, awarded by the home campus.

All MLT lecture courses are available via videoconferencing at locations statewide. Periodic intensive laboratories will be held at Presque Isle or Augusta locations. The final semester is a supervised clinical practicum scheduled at an affiliated hospital laboratory.

Upon completion, graduates are eligible to take the national certifying examinations administered by the Board of Certification of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists or the American Medical Technology Association.

At career entry, the Medical Laboratory Technician will be able to perform routine clinical laboratory testing in the departments of hematology, clinical chemistry, immunohematology, clinical microbiology, serology/immunology, coagulation, molecular, and other emerging diagnostics.

Upon graduation and initial employment, the medical laboratory technician should be able to demonstrate entry-level competencies in the areas of professional practice listed below:

➤ Collecting and processing biological specimens and other substances for analysis;
➤ Performing analytical tests on body fluids, cells, and other substances;
➤ Recognizing factors that affect procedures and results, and taking appropriate actions within predetermined limits when corrections are indicated;
➤ Performing and monitoring quality control within predetermined limits;
➤ Performing preventive and corrective maintenance of equipment and instruments or referring to appropriate source for repairs;
➤ Applying principles of safety;
➤ Demonstrating professional conduct and interpersonal communication skills with patients, laboratory personnel, other healthcare professionals, and with the public;
➤ Recognizing the responsibilities of other laboratory and healthcare personnel and interacting with them with respect for their jobs and patient care;
➤ Applying basic scientific principles in learning new techniques and procedures;
➤ Relating laboratory findings to common disease processes;
➤ Establishing and maintaining continuing education as a function of growth and maintenance of professional competence.

Student clinical assignments are dependent on many factors including the availability of qualified staffing and other resources at the clinical sites. Consequently it cannot be guaranteed that a student will get her/his top choices for clinical experiences. However, a student is guaranteed placement at a clinical affiliate.

UMPI clinical affiliates include: The Aroostook Medical Center, Cary Medical Center, Houlton Regional Hospital, Northern Maine Medical Center, Penobscot Valley Hospital, and Calais Regional Hospital.

Students must complete the program in three years once they begin MLT courses. Students must provide a copy of a successful health examination signed by a physician that includes a current, up-to-date immunization record, and pass a background check.

MLT students are required to pay a program fee of $75.00 at the beginning of each semester for travel to attend mandatory workshops and trainings in the second year of the program. Students enrolled as “MLT” majors will be assessed the non-refundable fee.

Successful completion of the MLT Program and the awarding of the Associate degree in Medical Laboratory Technology is NOT contingent on passing an external certification examination.

The MLT Program of Maine is accredited by:

The National Accrediting Agency
for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
5600 N. River Road, Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018
773-714-8880
http://www.naacls.org

Mission and Outcomes

The MLT Program of Maine, with the assistance of its clinical affiliate laboratories, is committed to providing quality didactic and clinical instruction, encompassing the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains of learning, to prepare its graduates to work, upon career entry, as competent medical laboratory technicians in healthcare facilities.

1) Graduates apply knowledge of theory and principles of related content to the clinical laboratory setting in making appropriate professional decisions.
2) Graduates perform laboratory procedures accurately and in a timely manner, and evaluate and correlate results.
3) Graduates use critical thinking to recognize, troubleshoot and solve pre-analytical, analytical and post analytical problems.
4) Graduates act professionally and adhere to ethical and legal responsibilities toward consistent quality patient care.
5) Graduates demonstrate knowledge of infection control and safety practices and follow established guidelines and regulations.

Requirements

In order to be considered for the MLT program, you must do the following:

Complete the following prerequisites:

➤ High School Diploma or GED equivalent
➤ High School Chemistry with Lab or course waiver
➤ High School Biology with Lab or course waiver
➤ Algebra I and II or course waiver
➤ Meet general admission requirements of the University
➤ Submit an application to the home University
➤ Provide official transcripts of all colleges attended. Courses with a grade of “C-” or better should transfer to the University. Note: The MLT Program is science intensive and students must achieve a minimum grade of 77% or C+ in all science courses.

➤ Meet the minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in coursescompleted at UMPI/UMA

Note: Students interested in the program who do not meet the entrance requirements are invited to contact one of the Program Co-Directors, the advising department, or the admissions office for assistance in identifying methods to obtain necessary courses required for the program.

Required Essay:

We ask all potential MLT students to write an essay addressing the following questions.
➤ Why are you interested in the MLT Program? You may comment on previous experiences (work or personal) that have influenced your decision to enter this field.
➤ What qualities do you possess that will help you to be a good MLT?
➤ What are your professional goals?
 

 

MLT Major Requirements - 35 Credit Hours


Students must complete the program in three years once they begin MLT courses.

Recommended elective:


** MLT 103 , MLT 105  and MLT 206  are required courses offerd only during the summer session.

*** MLT 395  is a supervised clinical practicum, which begins before the scheduled start of the spring semester. Students must successfully complete (minimum C+) each clinical rotation to proceed to the next rotation.

NOTE: MLT students are required to pay a program fee of $75.00 at the beginning of each semester for travel to attend mandatory workshops and trainings in the second year of the program. Students enrolled as “MLT” majors will be assessed the non-refundable fee.

Total credits required for the degree: 71


  • Minimum cumulative GPA required for graduation: 2.00
  • Minimum GPA in the MLT & Science Courses: 2.33

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