The medical laboratory technology program is a two-year Associate of Arts and Science program in which students learn the theory and skills needed to work in a clinical laboratory setting. Students study topics such as blood typing and transfusions; how to identify and count red and white blood cells; how to measure chemicals within the blood; how to identify bacteria, viruses and fungi that are causing infections; and how to perform testing on urine to determine a patient’s health status. Students also learn valuable life skills such as critical thinking, multitasking and time management.

The program is perfect for people who enjoy working in the medical field but may not be interested in working directly with patients. Graduates may be eligible to take the examination given by the Board of Certification of the American Society for Clinical Pathology. In North Carolina, a medical laboratory technician’s salary averages $36,000 per year, and those serving in a supervisory role may earn up to $45,000. Employment of MLTs is projected to grow 18 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Graduates of the MLT program may work in a hospital or physician’s office laboratory, public health agencies, veterinarians’ offices and industrial, research and pharmaceutical laboratories. To complete the program, students must take four semesters of coursework on campus and complete one semester of clinical rotations at local hospital affiliates.

Sign up now for the fall semester. Call 252-940-6221 or go to beaufortcountycommunitycollege.activehosted.com/f/12.