Programs handbooks

Medical Laboratory Technology: Program overview

About

Welcome to PCC and the HEP Pathway

Welcome to Portland Community College and the start of your path to a rewarding career!

The Healthcare & Emergency Professions (HEP) pathway provides opportunities for students to gain certificates, degrees, licensure, and/or credentials to further their careers in healthcare and emergency services fields. Many of our programs provide hands-on learning opportunities with advanced technology, practical training in clinical settings, and instructors with industry experience. Program graduates are in high demand in the healthcare and emergency professions industry and have the potential to earn excellent wages and benefits.

For more information about the Healthcare & Emergency Professions pathway, see the programs offered. See the Healthcare programs comparison chart to compare degrees and certificates offered, program costs, and potential salaries offered in each career path.

Welcome to Medical Laboratory Technology

We are delighted that you have chosen the field of laboratory medicine and are eager to provide resources, support, and opportunities you need to succeed and thrive. We believe in your potential and can’t wait to see all the incredible things you will accomplish.

This program is built on a foundation of collaborative team-based instruction and is delivered through a variety of formats including formal lectures, informal discussions, handouts, multimedia presentations, demonstrations, and practical laboratory exercises. In addition, you will be spending time in clinical laboratories at our clinical affiliate locations where you will have the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals, seeing first-hand the inner workings of a real clinical laboratory.

Please take full advantage of all the resources available to you, ask questions, and actively participate in discussions and practical sessions. Your dedication and enthusiasm are invaluable as we work together to shape the future of laboratory medicine.

Best regards,

Stephanie (Hawkins) Pierce, MBA, MLS (ASCP)
MLT Program Director / Faculty Department Chair

About Medical Laboratory Technology

The Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) program is located on the Cascade Campus of Portland Community College in the Health & Emergency Professions (HEP) pathway. 

The following links provide additional information related to the program:

Mission and values

The Portland Community College Medical Laboratory (MLT) program provides high quality education in an atmosphere that recognizes each student’s potential and supports a comprehensive and innovative approach to meet the needs of Oregon’s health care community.

Goals and objectives

  1. To provide high quality education in an atmosphere that promotes successful completion of the program.
    • Provide a curriculum that integrates general education classes, clinical laboratory experiences, and related subjects to the greatest extent possible.
    • Provide a program which meets the entry-level job requirements of the clinical laboratory sciences community and their respective professional organizations.
    • Provide sufficient flexibility to accommodate, as much as possible, the individual needs of each applicant in terms of high school completion, other preparatory courses, and credit for previous education and experience.
    • Recognize the individual needs of students by providing a variety of learning modalities.
    • Recruit, develop, and retain qualified staff who believe in the community college concept; who believe that each person has potential, can learn, and wants to learn; who believe in the Medical Laboratory Technology curriculum; and who are committed to continuing education for themselves in both their professional fields and in their development as educators.
    • Involve the staff in regular evaluation of the curriculum, revision of instructional approaches, and the development of related curriculum through regular staff meetings, workshops, and projects.
    • Maintain adequate and current library, multimedia materials, practice specimens, and demonstration materials.
    • Ensure that each student is counseled individually a minimum of once each term and to inform students of job opportunities which have been referred to the program.
  2. To address the shortage of qualified laboratory professionals.
    • Graduate sufficient numbers of medical laboratory technicians to meet the needs of the medical community.
    • Involve the faculty in student recruitment for the program and the profession.
  3. To prepare graduates to function effectively as members of the health care team and of the greater community.
    • Encourage students to develop an appreciation for life-long learning.
    • Promote the recognition of limitations and legal responsibilities of the medical laboratory technician.
    • Instill a sense of pride in the profession for which they are being prepared and in their conduct as professionals.
    • Develop awareness of professionalism including teamwork, adaptability, integrity, and respect for others.
  4. To build and maintain strong partnerships in the health care community throughout the Pacific Northwest.
    • Encourage interested practitioners to serve on the MLT Advisory Committee and participate as clinical affiliates.
  5. To teach curriculum that is reflective of current technologies in health care.
    • Utilize a variety of health care facilities in the community to offer students a wide range of clinical learning experiences.
    • Ensure equipment used in education is reflective of that used by the healthcare community.
    • Keep the program relevant to the needs of the community through the expertise and recommendations of the MLT Advisory Committee.
    • Maintain a system for periodic graduate surveys, employer surveys, and program evaluation.

Graduate achievement

The PCC MLT program is extremely proud of consistent student success as evidenced by the student outcomes posted in the graduation rates section on the Medical Laboratory Technology website.

The program’s graduation, certification, and placement rates are exceptional and illustrate our commitment and dedication to student success.

Accreditation

Portland Community College is regionally accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). For more information, see the college’s Accreditation webpage.

The PCC MLT Program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

Address below:

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018
773-714-8880

To file a complaint with NAACLS, see the guidance located here: NAACLS – National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science – students.

Costs

In addition to the costs of attending Portland Community College, there are costs associated specifically with the Medical Laboratory Technology. Refer to the program costs webpage.

Leadership

Janeen Hull
PCC – Academic & Career Pathways Dean

See the PCC Organizational Guide for information about college administration.

Contacts

Portland Community College
Cascade Campus
705 N. Killingsworth Street, JH 210
Portland, Oregon 97217
Telephone: 971-722-5667

College mailing address:
PO Box 19000
Portland, Oregon 97280-0990

Advisory Committee

The MLT program has an active advisory committee which is the cornerstone for advice and curriculum change. The members are responsible for keeping the curriculum up-to-date and ensuring the quality of on-site clinical training to meet the needs of the medical laboratory profession. Members discuss general program content, strategic planning, clinical training, job opportunities, career trends, etc.

The MLT Advisory Committee meets two to four times per year and is attended by representatives from PCC and laboratories throughout Portland and Oregon. There are also subcommittees for Blood Bank, Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, Phlebotomy, and Laboratory Information Systems. The subcommittees meet to discuss specific curriculum issues. The Advisory Committee and its subcommittees allow everyone to participate in the exchange of information, and curriculum evaluation for the MLT program.

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Academic overview