Medical Laboratory Sciences

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School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety

CONTACT INFORMATION

Program information is available from the Ask CNM Contact Center at (505) 224-3000 or go to cnm.edu.

Program Description

Medical Laboratory Science programs prepare students to play a crucial role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Medical laboratory personnel work in clinics, hospitals, reference laboratories, and physician office labs. They safely collect, process, and analyze blood and body fluid specimens. They use microscopes, centrifuges, computerized instruments, and other sophisticated laboratory equipment. The complexity of tests performed, the level of judgment needed, and the amount of responsibility workers assume depends largely on the amount of education they have. Students study theory in the classroom, learn skills in campus labs, and complete clinical experiences in area health care facilities and labs. Upon completion of the programs, students are eligible to take national certification exams.

Medical Laboratory Technician Associate of Applied Science Degree (MLT):

Four-term program with general education prerequisites. Medical Laboratory Technicians perform highly complex testing in the areas of clinical chemistry, hematology, immunohematology, immunology, microbiology, and urinalysis. They must exhibit high levels of judgment and responsibility. The MLT program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences: 5600 N. River Rd. Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119; (847) 939-3597; naacls.org. 

Clinical Laboratory Assistant Certificate (CLA):

One-term program with a phlebotomy prerequisite. Clinical Laboratory Assistants perform specimen processing and waived and moderately complex testing various areas of the lab. Requires completion of the PHLB program (or equivalent) or national phlebotomy certification.

Phlebotomy Technician Certificate (PHLB):

Twelve-week program with Accuplacer prerequisites. Phlebotomists collect and process blood specimens using approved venipuncture and capillary puncture techniques. Requires a high level of professionalism when working with patients. PHLB is also offered in a two-term format.

Special Requirements

MLT Enrollment: The Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program is designated as Limited entry Program at CNM. Students who wish to pursue MLT will need to apply and be accepted before they can start the program. Please refer to the Office of Limited Entry Programs for information about 2012 application requirements, selection criteria, and deadlines, which will be different from those used in 2011. The MLT Program begins in the fall and lasts four terms.
 

CLA Enrollment: : Enrollment in the CLA program is open to students who have completed the CNM PHLB program. Students who have completed an equivalent phlebotomy program or have national phlebotomy certification may request approval from the MLS Program Director.
 

PHLB Enrollment: Enrollment in the 12-week PHLB program is open to any student who meets the Accuplacer and HLTH 1001 prerequisites. Enrollment for the 2-term PHLB program requires special registration procedures. Please see the Medical Laboratory Sciences website for more information on registration process for the different PHLB options.

Courses in Medical Laboratory Science programs must be taken sequentially with corequisites.

Career and Educational Opportunities

Immediate job placement locally, regionally and nationally for all Medical Laboratory Science graduates is excellent due to a shortage of lab personnel. Tuition assistance for those who want to pursue more education in Medical Laboratory Science is available through many employers. The PHLB, CLA, and MLT programs are articulated, certain MLT courses will be waived for PHLB and CLA graduates. An agreement with the University of New Mexico allows for the transfer of CNM credits to the Medical Laboratory Science Bachelor of Science Degree program. Graduate and higher degrees in Medical Laboratory Science are available.

Exit competencies (see Program Exit Competencies ) for this program of study are available at cnm.edu/exitcomp.

For the graduation policy refer to the Moving On  section, cnm.edu or the Students tab in my CNM.

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