The College of the Canyons Allied Health Division will host a pair of information meetings in October about the college’s Medical Laboratory Technology program and the ongoing employment opportunities available to students pursuing careers in the high-demand medical and biotechnical lab industries.

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.

Information sessions about the college’s MLT program will be held at the following times and locations:

2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3

Quad 3, Room 310

COC Canyon Country campus

 

2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17

Towsley Hall, Room 102

COC Valencia campus

Each information session is expected to last approximately one hour and include information about eligibility requirements, program prerequisites and the application process, as well as the many potential career paths and employment opportunities related to this degree.

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 either of the upcoming information sessions please contact the Allied Health office at 661-362-3287 or visit www.canyons.edu/departments/MLT.