PIMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT WEST CAMPUS – BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE DIVISION MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN
PROGRAM
Medical Laboratory Technician
(MLT) Program
STUDENT HANDBOOK
Amee Rosales, M.Ed., MT (ASCP)
Fall 2021 / Spring 2022 / Summer 2022
Pima Community College is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer and
educational institution committed to excellence through diversity.
,Medical Laboratory Technician Student Handbook 2021-2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Medical Laboratory Technician Overview .................................................................3
B. Student Advising ........................................................................................................3
C. ADA Statement ..........................................................................................................4
II. MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN (MLT) PROGRAM GOALS, STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES,
ASSESSMENT PLAN, and CURRICULUM
A. Mission Statement and Program Goals .....................................................................4
B. MLT Technical Standards ...........................................................................................4
C. Program Enrollment Reporting Policy .......................................................................6
D. Program Costs ............................................................................................................6
III. TRANSFER OF CREDITS AND COURSE
A. MLT Program Requirements for AAS MLT Degree ....................................................7
B. College Admission ......................................................................................................8
C. Transfer Credits from a Different College or University ............................................8
D. Course Substitution ....................................................................................................9
E. General Education Course Waiver .............................................................................9
F. Challenge Exam and Bypassing Courses ....................................................................9
G. Link to Current MLT Program Application, Standards, Requirements ......................9
IV. PROGRAM ADMINISTATION AND COMMUNICATION CHANNELS
A. Program Office and Biomedical Science Contact Info ...............................................10
B. Email Contact / Program Information .......................................................................10
C. Responsibilities of the MLT Program Director ......................................................... 10 D. Advisory
Committee ................................................................................................ 10 E. Faculty
Members / Instructors for Didactic MLT Courses ...................................... 11 F. Affiliate Clinical
Coordinators .................................................................................. 11
G. MLT Program Laboratory Technician / Classroom Volunteers ..................................11
V. RULES & CODE OF ETHICS FOR MEDICAL LABORATORY CLINICIANS
A. Code of Conduct: Pima Community College (PCC) ...................................................11
B. Code of Ethics: ASCLS Standards ...............................................................................12
VI. GENERAL INFORMATION AND POLICIES OF THE MLT PROGRAM
A. General Information and Policies ..............................................................................13
B. Acceptance into the MLT Program ............................................................................ 13 C. PCC
Diversity Statement ……………….. ......................................................................... 15
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,Medical Laboratory Technician Student Handbook 2021-2022
D. Program Accreditation ...............................................................................................15 E.
Program Outcomes NAACLS Standards .....................................................................15 F.
Clinical Eligibility Requirements - Required Immunizations ......................................16 G.
Student Health Insurance ..........................................................................................16
H. Infection Control Policy and General Information.....................................................17
VII. ATTENDANCE&TARDINESS
A. Pima College Attendance Statement ........................................................................18
B. Grading Scale for MLT Program .................................................................................18
C. Policy for MLT Didactic Courses .................................................................................18
D. Policy for MLT Clinical Rotations................................................................................18
VIII. CHEMICAL IMPAIRMENT POLICY
A. Chemical Impairment Policy ......................................................................................19
B. If the Student Refuses Screening ...............................................................................20
C. Confidentiality / Positive Drug/Alcohol Screens ........................................................21
D. Re-Entry to the MLT Program After a Positive Drug/Alcohol Screen ........................21
E. Negative Drug or Alcohol Screen / Chemical Impairment Not Detected ..................22
F. Appeal Statement ......................................................................................................23
IX. ILLNESS/ACCIDENTS / INJURIES DURING THE MLT PROGRAM
A. Procedure for Injury or Exposure............................................................................... 23
X. DIDACTIC MLT COURSES
A. PCC Academic Calendar (Link) ...................................................................................24
B. MLT Course Schedule ................................................................................................24
C. Withdrawal / Repeating MLT Courses / Incomplete ................................................24
XI. CLINICAL ROTATIONS
A. Responsibilities or the College ................................................................................... 25 B.
Responsibilities of the Student .................................................................................. 26 C.
Responsibilities of the Clinical Affiliate ...................................................................... 28 D. Joint
Responsibilities PCC and Affiliate ...................................................................... 30 E. Assignment
to a Clinical Site ...................................................................................... 30 F. Rotation
Courses ........................................................................................................ 31 G. Removal from
Clinical Rotation ................................................................................. 32
H. Incident and Corrected Reports (Errors) ................................................................... 33
XII. PIMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENT SERVICE LINKS
A. Student Code of Conduct ······················································································ 34 B. Student
Counseling (Career, Success, Personal, On-line) ····································· 34 C. Academic Advising
································································································ 34 D. Paying for College
································································································· 34 E. Student Complaints (Grades,
Faculty. Etc) ··························································· 34
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, Medical Laboratory Technician Student Handbook 2021-2022
F. PCC Emergency, safety and Security Policies ······················································· 34
XIII. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
A. Visitors to the MLT Program / Children on Campus ............................................ 34 B. Graduation
Requirements .................................................................................... 35 C. ASCP Certification
Examination ............................................................................ 35 D. Audit of MLT
Courses ............................................................................................ 36 E. Students from Other
MLT Programs ..................................................................... 36
F. Signature Form for MLT Program ......................................................................... 37
INTRODUCTION
Medical Laboratory Technician Overview
Pima Community College's (PCC) Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program is part of the Biomedical
Science division. MLTs typically work in hospital and private laboratories (clinical or research) or physician
office labs. At career entry, the MLT will be able to perform routine clinical laboratory tests done in all major
areas of the laboratory. Graduates will have gained basic laboratory skills required for entry-level positions in
current and other emerging laboratory fields, such as molecular diagnostics. The responsibilities of the MLT
include:
• Processing of samples for testing, including collection, evaluation of collection and/or handling
• Daily instrument operation, including maintenance and quality control
• Sample analysis, including waived, moderate, and high complexity testing
• Collection and interpretation of data and results
• Maintenance of accurate records and reporting of data
• Critical thinking, including knowledge of critical values and follow up or confirmatory testing
In addition, the MLT will have responsibilities related to information processing, training and quality control
within the laboratory.
The Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) Program embraces the mission and vision statements of Pima
Community College. Policies for all Pima College students can be found on https://www.pima.edu, which
includes the Code of Conduct. MLT students are required to follow the American Society for Clinical Laboratory
Science (ASCLS) code of ethics (http://www.ascls.org/about-us/code-of-ethics). There are additional policies
specific to the PCC MLT Program. The purpose of this handbook is to communicate these specific policies to all
MLT, and prospective MLT students.
The PCC MLT Program reserves the right to make changes as needed, and to change without notice any
information, requirements and regulations published in this handbook.
MLT is a selective admissions program. Admission to Pima Community College does not automatically
guarantee admission to the Medical Laboratory Technician Program. Admission to the MLT program is
coordinated through the MLT program director. West Campus Office E234
3
PROGRAM
Medical Laboratory Technician
(MLT) Program
STUDENT HANDBOOK
Amee Rosales, M.Ed., MT (ASCP)
Fall 2021 / Spring 2022 / Summer 2022
Pima Community College is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer and
educational institution committed to excellence through diversity.
,Medical Laboratory Technician Student Handbook 2021-2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Medical Laboratory Technician Overview .................................................................3
B. Student Advising ........................................................................................................3
C. ADA Statement ..........................................................................................................4
II. MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN (MLT) PROGRAM GOALS, STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES,
ASSESSMENT PLAN, and CURRICULUM
A. Mission Statement and Program Goals .....................................................................4
B. MLT Technical Standards ...........................................................................................4
C. Program Enrollment Reporting Policy .......................................................................6
D. Program Costs ............................................................................................................6
III. TRANSFER OF CREDITS AND COURSE
A. MLT Program Requirements for AAS MLT Degree ....................................................7
B. College Admission ......................................................................................................8
C. Transfer Credits from a Different College or University ............................................8
D. Course Substitution ....................................................................................................9
E. General Education Course Waiver .............................................................................9
F. Challenge Exam and Bypassing Courses ....................................................................9
G. Link to Current MLT Program Application, Standards, Requirements ......................9
IV. PROGRAM ADMINISTATION AND COMMUNICATION CHANNELS
A. Program Office and Biomedical Science Contact Info ...............................................10
B. Email Contact / Program Information .......................................................................10
C. Responsibilities of the MLT Program Director ......................................................... 10 D. Advisory
Committee ................................................................................................ 10 E. Faculty
Members / Instructors for Didactic MLT Courses ...................................... 11 F. Affiliate Clinical
Coordinators .................................................................................. 11
G. MLT Program Laboratory Technician / Classroom Volunteers ..................................11
V. RULES & CODE OF ETHICS FOR MEDICAL LABORATORY CLINICIANS
A. Code of Conduct: Pima Community College (PCC) ...................................................11
B. Code of Ethics: ASCLS Standards ...............................................................................12
VI. GENERAL INFORMATION AND POLICIES OF THE MLT PROGRAM
A. General Information and Policies ..............................................................................13
B. Acceptance into the MLT Program ............................................................................ 13 C. PCC
Diversity Statement ……………….. ......................................................................... 15
1
,Medical Laboratory Technician Student Handbook 2021-2022
D. Program Accreditation ...............................................................................................15 E.
Program Outcomes NAACLS Standards .....................................................................15 F.
Clinical Eligibility Requirements - Required Immunizations ......................................16 G.
Student Health Insurance ..........................................................................................16
H. Infection Control Policy and General Information.....................................................17
VII. ATTENDANCE&TARDINESS
A. Pima College Attendance Statement ........................................................................18
B. Grading Scale for MLT Program .................................................................................18
C. Policy for MLT Didactic Courses .................................................................................18
D. Policy for MLT Clinical Rotations................................................................................18
VIII. CHEMICAL IMPAIRMENT POLICY
A. Chemical Impairment Policy ......................................................................................19
B. If the Student Refuses Screening ...............................................................................20
C. Confidentiality / Positive Drug/Alcohol Screens ........................................................21
D. Re-Entry to the MLT Program After a Positive Drug/Alcohol Screen ........................21
E. Negative Drug or Alcohol Screen / Chemical Impairment Not Detected ..................22
F. Appeal Statement ......................................................................................................23
IX. ILLNESS/ACCIDENTS / INJURIES DURING THE MLT PROGRAM
A. Procedure for Injury or Exposure............................................................................... 23
X. DIDACTIC MLT COURSES
A. PCC Academic Calendar (Link) ...................................................................................24
B. MLT Course Schedule ................................................................................................24
C. Withdrawal / Repeating MLT Courses / Incomplete ................................................24
XI. CLINICAL ROTATIONS
A. Responsibilities or the College ................................................................................... 25 B.
Responsibilities of the Student .................................................................................. 26 C.
Responsibilities of the Clinical Affiliate ...................................................................... 28 D. Joint
Responsibilities PCC and Affiliate ...................................................................... 30 E. Assignment
to a Clinical Site ...................................................................................... 30 F. Rotation
Courses ........................................................................................................ 31 G. Removal from
Clinical Rotation ................................................................................. 32
H. Incident and Corrected Reports (Errors) ................................................................... 33
XII. PIMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENT SERVICE LINKS
A. Student Code of Conduct ······················································································ 34 B. Student
Counseling (Career, Success, Personal, On-line) ····································· 34 C. Academic Advising
································································································ 34 D. Paying for College
································································································· 34 E. Student Complaints (Grades,
Faculty. Etc) ··························································· 34
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, Medical Laboratory Technician Student Handbook 2021-2022
F. PCC Emergency, safety and Security Policies ······················································· 34
XIII. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
A. Visitors to the MLT Program / Children on Campus ............................................ 34 B. Graduation
Requirements .................................................................................... 35 C. ASCP Certification
Examination ............................................................................ 35 D. Audit of MLT
Courses ............................................................................................ 36 E. Students from Other
MLT Programs ..................................................................... 36
F. Signature Form for MLT Program ......................................................................... 37
INTRODUCTION
Medical Laboratory Technician Overview
Pima Community College's (PCC) Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program is part of the Biomedical
Science division. MLTs typically work in hospital and private laboratories (clinical or research) or physician
office labs. At career entry, the MLT will be able to perform routine clinical laboratory tests done in all major
areas of the laboratory. Graduates will have gained basic laboratory skills required for entry-level positions in
current and other emerging laboratory fields, such as molecular diagnostics. The responsibilities of the MLT
include:
• Processing of samples for testing, including collection, evaluation of collection and/or handling
• Daily instrument operation, including maintenance and quality control
• Sample analysis, including waived, moderate, and high complexity testing
• Collection and interpretation of data and results
• Maintenance of accurate records and reporting of data
• Critical thinking, including knowledge of critical values and follow up or confirmatory testing
In addition, the MLT will have responsibilities related to information processing, training and quality control
within the laboratory.
The Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) Program embraces the mission and vision statements of Pima
Community College. Policies for all Pima College students can be found on https://www.pima.edu, which
includes the Code of Conduct. MLT students are required to follow the American Society for Clinical Laboratory
Science (ASCLS) code of ethics (http://www.ascls.org/about-us/code-of-ethics). There are additional policies
specific to the PCC MLT Program. The purpose of this handbook is to communicate these specific policies to all
MLT, and prospective MLT students.
The PCC MLT Program reserves the right to make changes as needed, and to change without notice any
information, requirements and regulations published in this handbook.
MLT is a selective admissions program. Admission to Pima Community College does not automatically
guarantee admission to the Medical Laboratory Technician Program. Admission to the MLT program is
coordinated through the MLT program director. West Campus Office E234
3
