Frequently Asked Questions


Frequently Asked Questions

What's the first step to apply?

First, you must be enrolled at ACC. Please see this page for information about how to get started.

What skills or backgrounds do most MLTs have?

Strong math, computer skills, science backgrounds, and excellent psychomotor/hand-eye coordination, organization, concentration, and communication skills are necessary to learn and work as a MLT.

Will I be able to advance my education in MLT after completing the AAS degree?

Yes, baccalaureate degree programs that allow a student to apply credits from their previous education exist in the United States. The majority of these programs are offered by colleges and universities that only accept credits from regionally accredited colleges and universities, such as ACC.

There are a number of universities which allow students to complete the requirements for the Bachelor’s of Science as a Medical Laboratory Scientist online. Students must be ASCP-certified MLTs and work in a clinical laboratory.

What is the outlook for jobs for MLTs in the Austin/Central Texas area?

Nationally there is a shortage of MLT/MLS’s for many types of employment settings. Here in Austin and Central Texas, there are times when several full-time and/or part-time job openings are available in a variety of employment settings.

Is the MLT program accredited?

The program is nationally accredited through the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

How much does it cost to attend the MLT program?

An approximate cost report is available on this page.

Are the MLT faculty members experienced teachers?

The Program Director/Department Chair has 20+ years of experience working with a variety of students in a teaching hospital environment and has been with ACC since 2006. Faculty members have a minimum of 5 years teaching experience in the program, and most faculty have over 10 years of clinical experience in a variety of settings.

What skill areas will I study in this program?

At ACC, you will learn how to:

  • Collect blood samples from patients
  • Prepare and identify specimens
  • Culture microorganisms to determine their identity and susceptibility to antibiotics
  • Conduct blood cell counts on patient samples
  • Group, type and cross-match blood for transfusion to patients
  • Store, label and prepare blood and blood components for transfusion
  • Analyze body fluids to determine chemical and biological components
  • Prepare various solutions utilized in the laboratory and reagents necessary to produce chemical reactions
  • Assume administrative functions relative to reporting and recording results of tests conducted in the laboratory, maintaining accurate clinical records, and perform other duties as may be assigned by the laboratory supervisor
  • Communicate results to nurses, doctors or other healthcare professionals
  • Follow blood and body-fluid safety precautions
  • Perform quality control for all test procedures
  • Maintain and troubleshoot laboratory equipment

What types of resources does the program have?

Both the Eastview and Round Rock Campuses maintain medical libraries, including a large number of MLT texts and references. In the MLT Lab, students have access to and use of state-of-the-art equipment and computers. MLT students also have access to ACC computer labs at all campuses.

Can I do this program part time?

The first year of the program can be completed part-time, but once a student is accepted into the second year, it is full time. This allows students with a baccalaureate degree with completion of first-year courses to complete the associate degree in one year.

How many students are accepted in the second year of the program?

The limitation is during the second year of the program. Twenty-four students (12 from Eastview campus and 12 from Round Rock campus) are accepted into the second year of the program which begins in the Fall semester each year.

Is there a tardy or absence policy for the MLT program courses?

Due to the intense nature of MLT education, missed class or clinical hours may seriously affect a student’s ability to complete the requirements of his/her course(s). Each course syllabus contains information regarding attendance requirements and procedures. Excessive tardiness may result in the application of the Corrective Action Process or even withdrawal from the Program.

Will I have to wear a uniform or dress a certain way while in the MLT program?

Yes, all MLT lecture and clinical courses have a Dress Code. Detailed information on the MLT Dress Codes is found in the MLT Student Handbook. For on-campus and clinical courses, MLT students are required to meet a Dress Code which includes wearing a teal scrub top, pant, and tennis shoes.

I need to work while in the MLT program, is this possible?

The amount of time a student must spend in study, practice and attending clinical is significant. The Program cannot make accommodations for a student’s work schedule. Most MLT students find it difficult to impossible to maintain passing grades in their MLT courses and work at the same time. You should plan ahead for your financial situation if you are admitted to a MLT Program.

Upon successful completion of the program, can I be certified?

Yes, since the program is accredited by NAACLS, all students who successfully complete the program are eligible to take the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) national certification exam by route one. Many states require certification, and it is in the best interest of the student to take this exam as soon as possible after graduation. Students must complete the ASCP exam within five years of graduation or lose their eligibility status. Students with a baccalaureate degree who 1) become certified as a MLT, 2) work as a MLT for two years, and 3) have the required number of hours of science are eligible to sit for the baccalaureate-level Medical Laboratory Scientist exam.

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