Become the Expert Behind Every Test Result
Step into roles a variety of health care settings as a medical laboratory technician (MLT). Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLTs) work behind the scenes to help doctors care for patients. They test blood, tissue, and other body fluids to look for clues about a person’s health. These tests help doctors make a diagnosis and guide treatment decisions.
Your courses prepare you to:
- Develop phlebotomy skills
-
Understand the blood’s function
-
Test cellular components
-
Analyze data on diagnostic procedures
-
Identify and handle microorganisms in a clinical setting
Reinforce your learning and practice skills through hands-on labs and clinical experiences. By graduation you’re prepared to find work in a variety of settings. Find work in medical, crime, and veterinary labs, blood banks and medical equipment companies.
The Medical Laboratory Technician Program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). 5600 N. River Road Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018 (773) 714-8880.
Program Information
Explore our accreditation information and learn more about how to apply for the program.
The Medical Laboratory Technician program is a selective admission program, and admission is determined by a points-based system. Points are awarded for academic preparedness and references.
Application Requirements and Information
General Admissions to Ozarks Tech
Admission to Ozarks Technical Community College is open to all individuals who can benefit from its educational programs. A focus of the college mission is on the academic, career and personal goals of the student. OTC may admit you as a First-Time student just completing their high school, GED or HiSET requirements or as a Transfer student coming from another institution finishing up a certificate or degree. For more information, visit OTC Admissions.
Wondering how you’re going to pay for college? At OTC, we believe that cost shouldn’t be a barrier to earning a degree. Our staff will work with you to make a financial plan. To browse the resources available to you, see paying for college.
At Ozarks Tech, we want your transfer process to be easy. We accomplish this goal through articulation agreements. These agreements are an official partnership to match coursework between schools. This gives you a more seamless transition from Ozarks Tech to a four-year institution.
We have established an agreement for this program. This will simplify the transfer of your credits to partner schools. To understand how this degree will transfer, review the current articulation agreements. Be sure to consult with your transfer school to ensure you’re on the right path toward completing your four-year degree.
Dr. Danyel Anderson
Medical Laboratory Technician Program Director
417-447-7420
Accreditation
The Medical Laboratory Technician Program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).
NAACLS
5600 N River Rd, Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018-5119
Phone: 773-714-8880
OTC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Our current accreditation status with the HLC is displayed on the page linked below. Our next comprehensive evaluation will be in 2030-2031. View more on OTC Accreditation.
Mission Statement
Ozarks Technical Community College’s Medical Laboratory Technician Program has a primary mission of delivering technical, high-quality, and affordable clinical laboratory training that will open opportunities to our students and meet the workforce needs of our surrounding communities.
Program Goals
The OTC Medical Laboratory Technician program will prepare the students to:
- Understand the blood’s function, identification and to test cellular components
- Analyze data on diagnostic procedures generated from Clinal chemistry equipment
- Identify and handle microorganisms in a clinical setting
- Understand microorganism morphology, growth requirements and speciation
- Develop skills in phlebotomy to include a variety of blood collection methods
Program Outcomes
Graduation/Attrition Rates
| Program Years | Graduation Rate |
| 7/1/23 – 6/30/24 | 100% |
| 7/1/22 – 6/30/23 | 100% |
| 7/1/21 – 6/30/22 | 100% |
| 7/1/20 – 6/30/21 | 100% |
Board Pass Rates
| Graduation Year | |
| 2024 | 100% |
| 2023 | 93% |
| 2022 | 100% |
| 2021 | 100% |
Job Placement Rates
| Job Placement Rates | |
| Graduation Year | |
| 2024 | 100% |
| 2023 | 100% |
| 2022 | 100% |
| 2021 | 100% |
View program outcomes
Interested in learning more?
Join us in person or online during our next informational session to ask questions and learn more about the program.
Looking for something a little different?
Check out similar programs that might be the right fit for you.
Course Information
Discover overview information, course sequences and specific course descriptions. Or, view the full catalog to see all the details.
Medical Laboratory Technician (A.A.S.)
A.A.S. Degree: 73 Hours
Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) is a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree designed to prepare individuals for clinical laboratory employment. A medical laboratory technician performs a wide variety of medical laboratory tests on blood, urine and other bodily fluids that assist physicians in making diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. In addition to employment in hospital and clinical laboratories, graduates can pursue positions in research, blood centers, medical equipment sales and technical support. The program will include clinical experience in area medical facilities along with the classroom and laboratory education provided on campus. A grade of “C” or better is required for all MLT Program required courses.
The job opportunities for MLTs are excellent, both nationally and locally, as the number of job openings currently exceeds the number of qualified job seekers. The program will begin in June with an application deadline of February 15. Contact the Health Sciences office or visit the website otc.edu/healthsciences for an application packet. National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 5600 N. River Road Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018 (773) 714-8880 https://www.naacls.org/
Pre-Admission Requirements – 34 Credit Hours
Pre-Admission Requirements – 34 Credit Hours
- BCS 165: Human Anatomy *
Human Anatomy
- BCS 200: Microbiology
Microbiology
- BCS 205: Human Physiology *
Human Physiology
- CHM 101: Introductory Chemistry (or higher)
Introductory Chemistry
- COM 100: Introduction to Communication (or higher)
Introduction to Communication
- ENG 101: Composition I
Composition I
or - ENG 100: Composition I With Support
Composition I With Support
or - ENG 102: Composition II
Composition II
- ENG 101: Composition I
- MLT 100: Introduction to the Medical Laboratory (Spring semester only) 1
Introduction to the Medical Laboratory
- MTH 128: Contemporary Mathematics (or higher) *
Contemporary Mathematics
- PLB 100: Introduction to Phlebotomy (Spring semester only)1
Introduction to Phlebotomy
- PLS 101: American Government and Politics
American Government and Politics
- PSY 110: Introduction to Psychology (or Social Science Elective)
Introduction to Psychology
- or HST 120 or HST 130
U.S. History I: to 1865
Note:
Note:
* Please contact the Allied Health Admissions Office if:
- you have taken MTH 110 prior to the fall 2018 semester
- you have previously taken BCS 145 and BCS 146
Medical Laboratory Program Requirements – 39 Credit Hours
Medical Laboratory Program Requirements – 39 Credit Hours
- MLT 200: Hematology
Hematology
- MLT 205: Clinical Immunology
Clinical Immunology
- MLT 210: Clinical Chemistry
Clinical Chemistry
- MLT 215: Urinalysis and Body Fluids
Urinalysis and Body Fluids
- MLT 220: Immunohematology
Immunohematology
- MLT 230: Clinical Microbiology
Clinical Microbiology
- MLT 240: Clinical Seminar and Review
Clinical Seminar and Review
- MLT 260: Clinical Practicum II
Clinical Practicum II
- MLT 270: Clinical Practicum III
Clinical Practicum III
- PLB 101: Phlebotomy Clinical
Phlebotomy Clinical
Note:
Note:
1MLT 100 and PLB 100 offered in the Spring only and requires MLT faculty permission.
Locations Offered:
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Notices & Disclaimers
*Costs displayed are based on current tuition and fee rates for the program’s required credit hours, as approved by the OTC Board of Trustees, and are subject to change without notice. Estimates reflect both in-district and out-of-district residency rates. Actual costs, degree completion time, and credit requirements may vary based on residency, prior credits, elective courses, program updates, and enrollment factors. For additional information on attendance costs, visit Cost of Attendance, tuition and fees or contact us at 417-447-6900.
**Graduation rates vary by individual. For details on program enrollment, retention, exam/certification, and employment rates, visit Student Outcomes / Student Right-to-Know. Some careers on this list may require additional education and training. For program-specific accreditation visit OTC Accreditation.
