Medical Laboratory Technician Program

Medical laboratory professionals are vital members of the health care team. In fact, some research indicates that at least 70% of all medical decisions rely on data from the laboratory. Medical laboratory professionals use sophisticated computer-driven instruments and advanced technology combined with delicate and complex manual procedures to perform laboratory analyses on blood and body fluids.

Medical laboratory technicians (MLTs) work under the direction of medical laboratory scientists or pathologists. Their responsibilities may include examining blood or body fluid specimens under the microscope, training other laboratory personnel, performing quality control checks, evaluating new instruments, and implementing new test procedures.

Despite changes in the field, including technological advances and automation, the need for medical laboratory professionals is expected to grow in the coming years. With population growth and aging, increased coverage of screening tests and development of new tests, the volume of laboratory tests is expected to increase, making this the perfect time to begin your career as a medical laboratory technician.

Program Overview

The SSM Health Medical Laboratory Technician Program will prepare students to become qualified and responsible medical laboratory technicians. Our 11-month curriculum includes both didactic and clinical components. The didactic segment of the program guides students through each theory component via lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on practice in the classroom and student laboratory.

Once students have learned basic laboratory techniques and skills, they rotate through the clinical sections at the SSM Health laboratories and affiliated, accredited hospital laboratories. During clinical rotations, our students further develop their lab skills and gain clinical experience in each laboratory discipline, including phlebotomy, urinalysis, chemistry, hematology and coagulation, immunohematology, microbiology and serology.

Upon satisfactory completion of the program, students are awarded a certificate from SSM Health School of Medical Laboratory Technician as a graduate MLT. Granting the certificate is NOT contingent upon passing an external certification examination.

Program Costs

*Credited toward tuition

**Certification Exam Fee subject to change by ASCP-BOC

Program Accreditation

SSM Health Southern Illinois School of Medical Laboratory Technician is not accredited by a US Department of Education recognized accrediting body and is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education. The School is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119; telephone: 773-714-8880; www.naacls.org. The School graduates are eligible to sit for the ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) Exam.

Program Outcomes

NAACLS requires the publishing of program outcomes for the last three consecutive years. The benchmarks which must be met to retain accreditations are:

Graduation Rates - NAACLS requires that 70% of students who begin the final half of the program successfully graduate.

ASCP Board of Certification Exam Pass Rates - NAACLS requires that 75% or greater pass rate required.

Graduate Placement Rates - NAACLS requires that 70% of graduates either find employment in the field or closely related field (for those who seek employment) or continue their education within one year.

Graduation Rate (based on final half of the program)

ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) Exam Pass Rate

Graduate Placement Rate

Contact Us

For more information, contact our program director:

Leah Narans, MBA, MLS (ASCP)
Director, School of Medical Laboratory Technician
Leah.Narans@ssmhealth.com
314-989-3233