Medical professionals and their patients depend on technical skills, knowledge, honesty, and integrity from their healthcare team.

The MLT Program of Maine is accredited by:

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

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science

The MLT Program of Maine was created as a collaborative effort between the University of Maine at Presque Isle and the University of Maine at Augusta in cooperation with hospitals across the state that serve as clinical affiliates.

Medical Laboratory Technology is a two-year program leading to an Associate of Science in MLT awarded by the home campus.

Upon completion, graduates are eligible to take the certification exam administered by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP).

Successful completion of the MLT Program and the awarding of the Associate degree in Medical Laboratory Technology is not contingent on passing an external certification examination.

What is a Medical Laboratory Technician?

Medical laboratory technicians perform, develop, evaluate, and correlate; assure accuracy and validity of laboratory information; direct and supervise clinical laboratory resources and operations; and collaborate in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. The medical laboratory technician has diverse and multi-level functions in the areas of collecting, processing, and analyzing biological specimens and other substances, principles and methodologies, performance of assays, problem-solving, troubleshooting techniques, significance of clinical procedures and results, principles, and practices of quality assessment, for all major areas practiced in the contemporary clinical laboratory.

They have the requisite knowledge and skills to educate laboratory professionals, other health care professionals, and others in the laboratory practice and the public.

The ability to relate to people, a capacity for calm and reasoned judgment, and demonstrating commitment to the patient are essential qualities. Communication skills extend to consultative interactions with other members of the healthcare team, external relations, customer service, and patient education. Laboratory professionals demonstrate ethical and moral attitudes and principles necessary for gaining and maintaining the confidence of patients, professional associates, and the community.

Adapted from NAACLS: Unique Standards of the Medical Laboratory Technician.

Goals and Competencies

The MLT Program of Maine has established the following goals with the support of the Universities:

  1. To provide students both academic instruction and professional training in the field of laboratory medicine
    to meet employment needs of communities in the State of Maine and beyond.
  2. To provide an environment conducive to further developing interest in MLT education by participation in
    professional organizations and encouraging awareness in changing trends in medical laboratory technology.
  3. To produce graduates that will demonstrate the technical skill of an entry-level technician in an ethical and
    professional manner.
  4. To produce skilled laboratorians who:
    • through general and technical education, are qualified to perform with minimal supervision, the tests routinely performed in clinical laboratories,
    • are able to identify, collect, label, and log in specimens accurately,
    • have a working knowledge of the principles of the tests they are performing,
    • keep accurate and legible records,
    • are able to communicate reports clearly to fellow medical personnel,
    • correlate laboratory test results with patient diagnosis and treatment,
    • will strive for accuracy in the performance of tests and will make every effort to eliminate error through their ability to recognize irregularities in test results,
    • follow procedures,
    • perform quality assessment within the clinical laboratory; recognize interferences with pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical test factors and take appropriate actions,
    • are skillful in the operation of laboratory instruments,
    • are able to recognize instrument failures and take appropriate actions by problem solving and troubleshooting,
    • are able to demonstrate and explain routine procedures to others in the laboratory,
    • will take responsibility for their own work, and will have the qualities of honesty and integrity
    • are able to organize their work to make the most efficient use of time,
    • demonstrate the ability to adapt and perform under stress,
    • observe HIPPA regulations and maintain patient confidentiality,
    • will cooperate with their coworkers and all members of the healthcare team,
    • will strive to keep their competence and knowledge current in relation to the changing work environment,
    • demonstrate knowledge of infection control and safety practices and follow established guidelines and regulations,
    • will actively participate in professional organizations.
  5. To maintain accreditation of the program through the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory
    Sciences (NAACLS).
  6. To produce graduates that will pass certification exams as a first-time applicant at a 90% pass rate.
  7. To maintain high academic and professional standards both in the program and in its students.
  8. To maintain a quality program through continuous assessment, evaluation, and revision.
  9. To maintain qualified faculty that pursues life-long learning and continued professional development.
  10. To promote diversity and cultural sensitivity among students and faculty in preparation for clinical practice.

Entry-Level Compentencies

At career entry, the Medical Laboratory Technician will be able to perform routine clinical laboratory testing in the departments of hematology, clinical chemistry, immunohematology, clinical microbiology, serology/immunology, coagulation, molecular, and other emerging diagnostics as the primary analyst making specimen-oriented decisions on predetermined criteria, including a working knowledge of critical values. Communication skills will extend to frequent interactions with members of the healthcare team, external relations, customer service, and patient education. The Medical Laboratory Technician will have diverse functions in areas of pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes. The clinical Medical Laboratory Technician will have responsibilities for information processing, training, and quality control monitoring wherever clinical laboratory testing is performed.

  1. Upon graduation and initial employment, the Medical Laboratory Technician should be able to demonstrate entry-level competencies in the areas of professional practice listed below:
  2. Collecting and processing biological specimens and other substances for analysis;
  3. Performing analytical tests on body fluids, cells, and other substances;
  4. Recognizing factors that affect procedures and results;
  5. Performing appropriate actions within predetermined limits when corrections are indicated;
  6. Performing and monitoring quality control within predetermined limits;
  7. Performing preventive and corrective maintenance of equipment and instruments or referring to appropriate source for repairs;
  8. Applying principles of safety and governmental regulations compliance;
  9. Demonstrating professional conduct and interpersonal communication skills with patients, laboratory personnel, other healthcare professionals, and with the public;
  10. Recognizing the responsibilities of other laboratory and healthcare personnel with regards to the patient;
  11. Interacting with other laboratory and healthcare personnel with respect for their professionals and patient care;
  12. Applying basic scientific principles in learning new techniques and procedures;
  13. Relating laboratory findings to common disease processes; and
  14. Maintaining continuing education as a function of growth and maintenance of professional competence.

MLT Program Pillars of Professionalism

The MLT Program requires that students behave with professionalism and conduct themselves as would be expected of a laboratory professional in the workplace. Honesty and integrity inside and outside the classroom are essential components of such an environment and imperative for all members of the community to incorporate into their education. MLT students agree to meet pillars of professionalism by accepting admission to the MLT Program and recognize these essentials as core competencies of the profession. All faculty and students in the MLT Program of Maine agree to:

  • Integrity
    • Acts honestly and ethically both inside and outside of the classroom.
    • Holds true to values that are consistent with the ASCLS Code of Ethics.
    • Takes ownership of mistakes, acknowledges failures, and works toward improvements.
    • Abides by the academic integrity policy of University of Maine by submitting only work which is the product of one’s own effort.
  • Accountability
    • Fulfills tasks and obligations consistently and on time, notifies instructor of tardiness/absences.
    • Remains attentive and engaged during learning activities.
    • Demonstrates calmness and maintains composure in all circumstances.
  • Teamwork
    • Communicates in a timely, courteous, and effective manner.
    • Collaborates with other members of the healthcare team.
    • Adapts to professional, technical and workload changes as necessary.
    • Influences peers to uphold pillars of professionalism.
  • Respect
    • Is inclusive of and values the opinions of others and encourages different points of view.
    • Treats peers, faculty, and patients with courtesy and respect.
  • Excellence
    • Demonstrates quality work with attention to detail and accuracy.
    • Abides by professional standards of practice.
    • Demonstrates a commitment to lifelong learning and professional development.
    • Independently seeks opportunities to develop knowledge and skills.
    • Accepts responsibility for learning, exercises good judgment.
    • Demonstrates a commitment to learn and grow.