The College of the Canyons Medical Laboratory Technician program will be accepting applications for the fall 2014 semester until Friday, Dec. 6.

The college’s two-year MLT program prepares students for employment in a variety of different clinical laboratory and biotechnology settings through an integration of program curriculum, classroom lectures, student laboratories and clinical training activities, which help foster a development of the analytical and problem solving skills required to work throughout the industry.

As one of only eight MLT programs in the entire state, the college’s MLT program was officially granted state program approval in spring 2011.

Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive an associate in science degree in MLT and be eligible to sit for the national certification exam needed in order to receive licensing from the California Department of Health Services Laboratory Field Services Branch.

“Hospitals, clinical labs and biotechnology sites are seeking our graduates to meet workforce needs which are growing and expanding,” said Cynthia Dorroh, dean of allied health and public safety at the college. “Our graduates do very well on their licensing exams and have great employment opportunities. This is an exciting opportunity for students who like science and technology and desire careers where they can really make a difference in their communities.”

More About MLTs

MLT professionals play critical roles in collecting the data and information needed to provide care to patients and/or perform research used in the scientific exploration of many areas throughout the larger medical, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

Certified MLT professionals often find employment in hospitals, clinics, public health facilities and other commercial laboratories, where their training and communication and research skills are highly valued.

This emerging career field is currently experiencing an increased demand for qualified technicians to work in hospitals and biotechnical labs, particularly pharmaceutical labs conducting human research.

Statistics provided by the United States Department of Labor show that an entry level certified MLT technician in the state of California typically earns a median income of approximately $40,000/year.

For more information about the College of the Canyons MLT program or how to apply, contact the Allied Health office at (661) 362-3287 or visit www.canyons.edu/departments/MLT.