Campus News
MLT Earns Re-Accreditation
4/22/16
Luverne Center
Minnesota West's Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program has earned the full 10-years re-accreditation from the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). NAACLS is committed to being the premier international agency for accreditation and approval of educational programs in the clinical laboratory sciences and related health professions through the involvement of expert volunteers and its dedication to public service.
Dr. Rita Miller, MLT Program Director/Instructor, was elated to receive the news. Miller states “The MLT Program could not be possible without the dedication of laboratory professionals in the hospitals and clinics who mentor the students during their 40 hour/week, 6 months externship. Additionally, my appreciation goes to the members of the MLT Advisory Board who are instrumental in making decisions for the betterment of the program.”
Dr. Terry Gaalswyk, Minnesota West President notes, “Accreditation demonstrates through an independent, peer review that our MLT program meets and exceeds the national standards set forth; achieving such demonstrates the commitment of our faculty in assuring that the highest caliber academic opportunities are available through Minnesota West.”
Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLT) play a key role in assisting medical professionals, working behind the scenes to perform tests to search for basic clues to the absence, presence, extent, and causes of diseases. This skilled individual is responsible for performing laboratory tests efficiently and accurately for high-quality patient care. Most people do not know what happens to their specimens (blood, sputum, urine, etc.) once they arrive in the laboratory. They don’t know that medical laboratory professionals will conduct some of the most complex and important work on those specimens, and that knowing the results of that work may very well save your life. Medical laboratory professionals provide up to 70 percent of the medical laboratory results/data for physicians and others to make informed decisions about one’s diagnosis and treatment plan.
MLT is one of the fastest-growing careers in the medical field. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 7,700 new MLS and MLT professionals will be needed each year between 2012 and 2022. MLT Employment will have a 30% growth by 2022. In 2013 NAACLS summarized that the number of laboratory graduates needed/year will be 14,000 however the number graduating each year is 6,322 so short fall of 7,678. In Minnesota, the estimated employment in 2012 was 3,140 and the projected employment in 2022 is 4,082. This is a 30% change. Dr. Miller states that “job placement is 100%. Many students are hired before they finish their externship.”
National Medical Laboratory Professional Week is celebrated April 24-30, 2016 to increase public understanding and appreciation for clinical laboratory personnel.
For more information on the MLT program visit www.mnwest.edu or 800-658-2330.