Medical Laboratory Technology at MCC

The Medical Laboratory Technology Program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Accreditation by NAACLS assures students that they will be provided with a quality education in laboratory medicine. Upon successful completion of the Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology, the graduate is eligible to sit for the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) exam. Graduation from the program is not contingent upon passing an external certification exam.

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)

5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018

773.714.8880

info@naacls.org

Certification Exam Pass Rates

*Pass rates represent success within one year of graduation. Students graduate in August of each year.

 

Graduation and Attrition Rates

*For those students entering the final half of the program. 

 

Placement Rates and Careers

*For those who found employment (in the field or in a closely related field) and/or continued their education within one year of graduation. 

Certification Exam Pass Rates

*Pass rates represent success within one year of graduation. Students graduate in August of each year.

 

Graduation and Attrition Rates

*For those students entering the final half of the program.

 

Placement Rates and Careers

*For those who found employment (in the field or in a closely related field) and/or continued their education within one year of graduation.

The mission of the Medical Laboratory Technology Program at Middlesex Community College is to prepare, inspire, and motivate a diverse community of learners to enter the field of laboratory medicine with the tools and knowledge necessary to contribute positively to health care. The program will graduate students who are competent, entry-level medical laboratory technicians capable of performing routine clinical laboratory testing in all major areas of the laboratory. In keeping with the mission of Middlesex Community College, we encourage our learners to develop strong critical thinking skills, lay the foundation for a lifetime of learning, and instill the importance of becoming a vital part of their community. 

Graduates of the Medical Laboratory Technology program will:

• Demonstrate the entry-level competencies necessary to perform routine clinical laboratory tests in all areas of the laboratory.
• Assume responsibility for information processing, training, and quality control monitoring wherever clinical laboratory testing is performed.
• Apply safety and governmental regulations to maintain compliance in the laboratory.
• Employ effective communication skills with colleagues and other health care professionals.
• Practice within the constraints of legal, moral, and ethical conduct.
• Demonstrate accountability and responsibility for personal growth and professional development. 

• Students will be able to perform routine laboratory procedures encompassing all major areas of the clinical laboratory including hematology, chemistry, serology, microbiology, urinalysis, and transfusion services at the career entry level.
• Students will be able to procure laboratory test samples in an efficient and timely manner.
• Students will be able to recognize unexpected results, instrument malfunctions, and take appropriate action.
• Students will be able to produce accurate laboratory test results within acceptable limits of quality control. 
• Students will be able to correlate laboratory findings to common disease processes.
• Students will demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Students will be able to communicate effectively and understand the need to consult with more experienced team members when necessary and to deliver test information to clinicians in a timely manner. 
• Students will comply with safety procedures and ethical standards of practice. 
• Students will be accountable and professional when interacting with patients, fellow employees, other health care providers, and the public. 
• Students will understand the importance of continuing education and professional awareness. 
• Students will be prepared to sit for the Board of Certification exam for Medical Laboratory Technicians offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
• Students will pass the certification exam as a first time applicant at an 80% pass rate.
• Students will find employment in their field at an 80% employment rate, post-graduation, of those seeking employment. 

The following is a list of standard (essential) and/or technical skills required for performing duties in the medical laboratory field. These skills are not conditions for admission to the program, but do indicate abilities and characteristics necessary for successful completion of the Medical Laboratory Technology program, and to perform the duties of the career upon graduation. 

• Demonstrate sufficient motor skills to manipulate and operate all equipment and instruments found in the clinical laboratory. Such motor skills should include but may not be limited to the following:
  • Ability to grasp, turn, and otherwise manipulate equipment with both hands.
  • Possess finger and manual dexterity necessary to control laboratory equipment (pipettes, inoculating loops, test tubes) and adjust instrument to perform laboratory procedures. 
  • Ability to stand and move between different clinical departments in the laboratory.
  • Ability to approach and position the patient when necessary for laboratory procedures.
  • Use a computer keyboard to operate laboratory instruments and to calculate, record, evaluate, and transmit laboratory information. 
• Display the verbal and written skills necessary to effectively respond and communicate with patients, peers, and other campus and clinical personnel. 
  • Read and comprehend technical and professional materials. 
  • Follow verbal and written instructions in order to correctly and independently perform laboratory test procedures. 
  • Clearly instruct patients prior to specimen collection.
  • Effectively, confidently, and sensitively converse with patients regarding laboratory tests.
• Demonstrate the ability to visually observe and evaluate patient conditions, test reactions and results, and the total laboratory environment. 
  • Discern and discriminate color differences and reactions both microscopically and macroscopically. 
  • Exhibit adequate hearing ability in order to respond appropriately to both patients and co-workers, and to audible equipment sounds.
  • Manage heavy academic schedules and deadlines.
  • Be able to manage the use of time and be able to systemize actions in order to complete professional and technical tasks within realistic constraints. 
  • Demonstrate the cognitive ability to recognize and deal with any potential hazards in the laboratory environment, and protect oneself and others from injury.

Health Programs Health Requirements Policy
Students accepted to Health Programs must be in compliance with the current immunization requirements specified by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for Health Care Personnel (HCP) and in accordance with state law, MGL, Chapter 76, Section 15C, and its regulations at 105 CMR 220.000 - 220.700 in order to participate in an externship placement or clinical experience. Students may also be required to meet additional requirements of the particular health program and/or clinical agency as outlined below.

Students who are not in compliance with these requirements may not be allowed to participate in classes, externship placement, or clinical experiences, which may jeopardize their ability to continue in the program.

Health Record Requirements
Completion of Pages 2 and 3 of Required Student Health Record Form, which Includes:

1. Student Information
2. Physical Examination and evaluation by a health care provider (completed within past 12 months).
3. Testing for Color (This may be administered in Lowell by the Health Compliance Personnel in the Talbot Building, room 302A or the Administrative Assistant in Talbot 312, or HEALTH 409 (formally Derby building)
4. TB Testing

Either:

Two-step tuberculin skin test (TST) for Tuberculosis:

• • • 1st TB/PPD given, read and recorded.
    • If positive, see notes below.
    • If negative, repeat in 1-3 weeks (2nd TB/PPD given, read and recorded)

OR

• • TB blood test (T-Spot or QuantiFERON Gold)

Notes:

• Positive reactors to the skin test must submit positive TB test report and a report of a negative chest x-ray performed in the past 5 years from admission date, and documentation of an annual symptom assessment.
• The TB Test must be done before entering the program and updated at least every 12 months*
  
• For the annual update of TB testing, 

1. 1. Either a two-step Mantoux (TB/PPD) tuberculin skin test*
      OR
   2. TB blood test (T-Spot or QuantiFERON Gold) will be sufficient to meet the requirements for the annual update.

*Students are required to have the two-step Mantoux (TB/PPD) tuberculin skin test upon acceptance and up to every 3 months thereafter according to clinical placement requirements.

Immunization Requirements for Health Care Personnel
Official Documentation of:

• One dose of Tdap vaccination, with a booster (either Td or Tdap) every 10 years.
  
• Two doses of MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine, given at least 28 days apart on/after 12 months of age, or a positive blood titer report for all three - (1) Rubeola, (2) Mumps, (3) Rubella (with original copy of lab results)
  
• Completion of the 3 dose Hepatitis B (HBV) vaccine series or the new 2 dose Heplisav-B,
  
• Positive Hepatitis B surface antibody (anti HBs) blood titer report (with original copy of lab results)
• Two doses of Varicella vaccine given one month apart, or a positive Varicella blood titer report with original copy of lab results
• One dose of MenACWY meningococcal vaccine administered on or after 16th birthday for any newly enrolled full- time student 21 years of age or younger.
• Annual flu vaccine including manufacturer, expiration date, and lot number Due October 1st of each year
• Up-to-date with the most recent COVID-19 vaccination. For each academic year, this includes receiving one dose of the most recent COVID-19 vaccine once it becomes available. Proof of vaccination, including the manufacturer, lot number, and expiration date are due October 1 of each year. *
  
  *Newly enrolled Students must receive the vaccine as soon as it becomes available, to ensure timely compliance with individual clinical site requirements.

OSHA Requirements

• Color Deficiency testing (may be administered in Lowell by the health compliance personnel in in Talbot building, room 302A or the administrative assistant in Talbot 312 or HEALTH 409. (formerly Derby building)
• As part of the program curriculum, you will receive education for OSHA Blood-borne Pathogen Standard and Universal Precautions for all health program students prior to clinical placement.
  
  

CPR Certification
All health students (except for Medical Laboratory Science, Dental Laboratory Technology, Public Health, Medical Billing and Coding and Healthcare Administration) must be currently certified in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) through the American Red Cross or American Heart Association, and must maintain valid certification for the duration of the program.

Student Health and Medical Insurance
All students enrolled in Health Programs are required to carry health insurance because of the potential of exposure to a variety of communicable/infectious diseases as well as contractual requirements of some affiliating agencies. The period of coverage must be current throughout students’ enrollment in the Health Program. Please note, the following cannot be used: MassHealth Limited, Children’s Medical Security Plan, or Health Safety net. Also Students enrolled in free care at a hospital or with an insurance policy of a foreign carrier.

Malpractice Insurance
As part of your tuition, MCC will provide Malpractice/Liability Coverage of one million dollars per incident and three million dollars aggregate is maintained for all students in health programs. This insurance only addresses a claim arising from activities required by the student’s program.

Health Clearance for Participation in the Clinical Area
All enrolled Health Program students, new and returning, will be expected to have completed the Health Records, Immunization and OSHA (Color Deficiency Testing) requirements prior to participation in any externship placement or clinical experience.

All students should submit documentation of these requirements to CastleBranch as directed in the admission acceptance package. CastleBranch is an online resource that allows health program students to submit and track their health records with the College. The documentation will be reviewed and depending upon completeness of the record, the program coordinators will be notified regarding health clearance status for students enrolled in their specific program. Students may not participate in the externship or clinical experience until all records are successfully submitted and they are cleared, and/or an exemption is approved.

Students are also responsible for updating any requirements (e.g. annual TB/PPD test, CPR, Tdap) in order to continue their participation in the externship or clinical experience if any requirement expires before the end of the externship or clinical experience. CastleBranch reminder alerts start 21 days before due date and repeat weekly thereafter. 

Health requirements are subject to change based on the CDC and MA Dept of Health recommendations and clinical site requirements.

Medical Clearance for Return to Class/Clinical After Illness/Injury or Change in Health Status

1. Students are responsible for notifying their course faculty/clinical instructor and their Department Chair/Program Coordinator/ Director within 24 hours of any change in health status, including but not limited to:
   1. Exposure to a reportable disease requiring isolation/quarantine
   2. Symptoms/disease
   3. Accident/injury
   4. Any circumstance that may change health status
      
2. Department Chair/Program Coordinator/Director should notify the Health Compliance and Data Coordinator (HCDC) as soon as possible of this change.
3. The Health Compliance and Data Coordinator will provide the student with a copy of a clinical clearance form to submit to the student’s health care provider.
4. Students will not be permitted to return to classes or the clinical area until documentation from the health care provider is returned to the HCDC and the student is cleared to return.
5. The Department Chair/Program Coordinator/Director will notify the appropriate course faculty/clinical instructor that the student is cleared to return, and send the original of the clinical clearance form to the Health Compliance personnel.

Exemptions From Vaccinations and Immunization

Although currently the MA Department of Public Health does not require all of the vaccinations listed in this Health Requirements Policy, to comply with MCC’s clinical sites and hospital based placements, we require these vaccinations for Health Students who have not otherwise been approved for an exemption.

All medical requests must be verified with a letter from a medical provider. The letter must specify which immunizations cannot be given and the condition that prevents the administration of the vaccine(s). All religious exemptions must be accompanied by a statement of a student sincerely held belief and may also include a statement from a clergy member or faith-based leader.

In the event of an outbreak of any of the vaccine preventable diseases in the community, unvaccinated students will be excluded from campus, classes, and clinical rotations until the period of communicability has passed. The College will not be responsible for any costs associated with missed classes and no refunds will be made.

While MCC will make reasonable efforts to place you at a clinical site, clinical placements cannot be guaranteed for those who have not received all required vaccinations. This may prevent you from being able to participate in clinical/practicum courses and externships, and/or successfully complete the program.

Accepted: 2/21/06 Revised 12/11; 10/12, 8/13, 10/15, 4/16, 6/16, 3/17, 1/18, 8/18, 10/18, 8/20, 8/21, 11/21, 5/22, 6/23, 11/23, 5/24, 2/25e.