Look
At Me
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Medical Laboratory Technology
This job is perfect for the behind-the-scenes analyst who wants to make a big impact without ever working directly with patients. “Medical lab technician” may not have the name recognition as “nurse” or “doctor,” but 70 percent of diagnoses depend on the essential tests these practitioners run in a lab.
Some students choose our program after starting training in nursing and deciding that it isn’t the right fit. Some choose it after beginning their training or career in phlebotomy. The right candidate for this hidden gem of a career enjoys learning, strives for consistency, and prefers working with patients indirectly.
6
$60,780
U.S. Median Wage
A Range of
In-Demand Careers
Whether identifying parasites under a microscope or determining a patient’s blood type, an MLT uses a variety of equipment and software programs to perform diagnostic tests on everything from bodily fluids to biopsies. They work in hospitals, clinics, ophthalmic labs and more.
Through our program, students obtain their associate degree. Students who want to continue their studies can pursue a bachelor’s degree online through the Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) program at the University of West Florida. Some proceed to get a master’s degree in public health.
Our Students
Are Prepared
Our MLT program is the only one of its kind in Northwest Florida. The closest comparable program in Florida is in Jacksonville. Our MLT program is especially good for students who need a flexible schedule or live far from our campus, located in Fort Walton Beach. Lectures are self-paced and completed online, with in-person classes happening once a week.
While this program is rigorous and requires a lot of memorization, students say the instructors make serious work fun — incorporating games and even crafts to target everyone’s learning style.
To become an MLT, students must pass a national certification exam through one of three options: The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), the American Medical Technologists (AMT), or the American Agency of Bioanalysts (AAB). The most widely accepted credential is through ASCP, and that is what we prepare our students to take. It is also the most difficult of the certification tests. NWFSC students have enjoyed a phenomenal pass rate — sometimes 100 percent.
Unique Job Security
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of Medical Lab Technicians and Technologists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.