Medical Laboratory Assistant

The Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) is part of a team of highly-skilled pathologists, technologists, and phlebotomists working together to determine the presence, extent, or absence of disease, and helps to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.  The primary job duties include phlebotomy, specimen processing, point of care testing, performing quality control, equipment maintenance and other pre-analytical tasks. The career studies certificate in Medial Laboratory Assistant prepares students to fill the role by emphasizing the hands on practice of laboratory techniques in a state-of-the-art laboratory followed by clinical experiences at various affiliated healthcare organizations.   

African American/Black and Caucasian female Medical laboratory assistants working

Career Pathway

Program Dean

Health and Life Sciences Division

Faculty Contact

Academic Advisors

Deanne McDaniel
Student last name starts with A-M

Kim Phillips
Student last name starts with N-Z

Program

Career Studies Certificate

Credit Hours

23

Program Information

This career studies certificate is a 23 credit program which is part of the stackable credentials pathway to Medical Laboratory Technology. Students who wish to pursue the Associate of Applied Science in Medical Laboratory Technology after completing the MLA career studies certificate may apply these credits towards the associate degree.  

The program is not currently accredited by the National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Services (NAACLS).  Students pursuing certification with the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) must apply under Route 6 which requires six months of full-time clinical experience as a laboratory assistant in an acceptable laboratory within the last five years.