*Please note: students should select Health Sciences AAS on the application to Northampton Community College. Graduates of this program will receive their degree from Reading Area Community College.
The Medical Laboratory Technician Associate Degree program, through an agreement with Reading Area Community College, is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS).
In cooperation with Reading Area Community College (RACC), this program is intended primarily to educate technicians for work in clinical, diagnostic laboratories. Medical Laboratory Technicians perform tests under the direction of a physician who specializes in diagnosing the causes and nature of disease. Medical Laboratory Technicians also work under the supervision of scientists doing research on new drugs or the improvement of laboratory techniques. Graduates may seek employment with hospitals, independent laboratories, physicians, clinics, public health agencies, pharmaceutical firms, research institutions and industrial laboratories.
This collaborative program allows students to complete general education requirements at Northampton Community College. Upon completion on general education requirements, students would then apply to the RACC Medical Laboratory Technician program. The first semester of students' second year is spent at NCC on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and at RACC Tuesday and Thursday. The spring semester of students' second year is spent at RACC on Monday and a clinical rotation program Tuesday through Friday. Students are able to complete a clinical rotation at a location closer to their home.
Students enrolled in the Medical Laboratory Technician program are able to pay in-county tuition rates, regardless of county of residence.
Program Competencies
- Follow established procedures for collection and processing biological specimens for analysis and perform assigned analytical tests or procedures.
- Recognize factors that affect measurements and results and take appropriate action according to predetermined protocols; recognize abnormal results, correlate them with disease processes, and refer them to designated supervisory personnel.
- Operate instruments within the scope of training utilizing established protocols and quality control checks, recognizing equipment malfunctions and notifying supervisory personnel when appropriate.
- Report information such as test results, reference range and specimen requirements to authorized sources.
- Perform routine quality control and maintain accurate records. Recognize out-of-control results and notify supervisory personnel.
- Demonstrate a professional attitude in interpersonal communication skills with patients, peers, supervisors, other health care professionals and the public.
*NCC courses are 80% online / RACC courses may or may not be online.