1. Medical Laboratory Technology AAS Degree Information Session
Updated
Slide 1
Welcome to the online information session for the Medical Laboratory Technology AAS degree program at NOVA.
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2. Before Beginning the Online Presentation
Please Print/Review the documents
shown on the program webpage:
Slide 2
Before we begin; Please print and or review the associated program information documents shown on this slide. You may also want to print the Physical Form.

3. From The Profession
Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLTs) perform essential laboratory testing that is critical to the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. In fact, modern medicine could not be practiced without the tests performed by these laboratory professionals. Did you know that laboratory tests make up 70% of the verifiable reportable data in patient medical records?
Slide 3
The field of laboratory medicine is often considered a hidden profession because Laboratorians do not have much direct patient contact. However; we save lives everyday as we assist in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease.

4. The Team
In a medical laboratory, a team of highly skilled pathologists, scientists,
technicians, assistants, and phlebotomists works together to determine the
presence, extent or absence of disease, and help evaluate effectiveness of treatment.
MLTs perform tests on blood and body fluids using microscopes; chemical reagents; computers; and sophisticated automated equipment in the areas of:
Hematology
Chemistry
Blood banking
Microbiology
Serology
Urinalysis
Slide 4
In the medical laboratory, MLTs perform tests in all of the areas shown on this slide. The laboratory is a team of highly skilled pathologists, scientists, technicians, assistants, and phlebotomists who work together for the patient. MLTs use microscopes, computers, and sophisticated automated equipment to generate accurate results. Are you a team player? Do you like to solve problems? If the answer is yes, you too, could become a member of the team.
Header photo

5. Occupational Outlook Handbook
“Employment of Medical Laboratory Technicians is projected to grow 18 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. Job prospects will be best for medical and clinical laboratory technologists and technicians who complete an accredited education program and earn professional certification.”
Slide 5
As shown in this slide, the need for qualified Medical Laboratory Technicians continues to grow both nationally and a the state level.
Virginia Labor Market Information
Jobs snapshot June 2017
The number of job openings advertised online for one month (June 2017) was 93.
Retrieved from: United States Department of Labor (DOL) Bureau of Labor Statistics (BSL)

6. NOVA AAS Degree Program Overview
Accredited by NAACLS
Length:
Five semesters (20 months)
Degree:
Associate of Applied Science AAS
National certification:
Eligible to sit for all national exams at the technician level.
Competitive Admission Program Entry Prerequisites:
 Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS): Reading; Math; English and Language Usage
 2.0 GPA at last school attended
Successful completion with an earned grade of C or better in the following college courses:
ENG 111, BIO 141 CHM 111, SDV 101
Satisfy units 1-9 on the Virginia Placement Test (VPT) for Math or completion of MTH 161 with a earned grade of C or better
Slide 6
NOVA’s MLT Program is accredited by NAACLS (pronounced: “NAAAA-culls”), the accrediting agency in our field that is most widely known and accepted in the United States. After you successfully complete the program, you will receive the degree of Associate of Applied Science. At that time, you will also be eligible to sit for a national certification exam.
In order to enter the program, you must take the TEAS pre-admission test, have a grade point average of 2.0 at the last school attended. In addition, you must complete (with a “C” or better) ,the prerequisite course requirements, which are listed here. Finally, you must demonstrate sufficient skills on Units 1 through 9 on the Virginia Placement Test (VPT) for Math; or complete with a grade of C or better MATH 161 Pre-calculus 1. A higher level MATH course with a grade of C or better will also meet the MATH requirement

7. Competitive Admission Process Step 1
Apply to College; receive your valid myNOVA credentials
View this online information session
Enter code 238 on the program application where indicated.
Complete and submit the online program application; attach your TEAS scores
APPLICATION PERIOD:
First Priority: January 5 to April 30
Second Priority: May 1 to June 1
Late (after June 1) applications may be considered if space is available
For online application questions: please MEC Student Services
Use your student account; include your student ID number and the program name
Slide 7
This slide summarizes step one in the competitive admission process. Pleas note the application periods.
You must apply to NOVA and have valid myNOVA credentials. It may take up to 48 hours after applying to the college for your myNOVA account to become activated.
You must view an information session—viewing this presentation meets the requirement. Please enter code 238 on the program application
You must have completed the TEAS pre-admission assessment and the prerequisite course work
When the application is complete, it is submitted online. Application periods open at 12:01am on the start date and close at 11:59pm on the end date. 
For online application questions or issues, please MEC Student Services your student account, and include your student ID number and the program so your issue can be properly investigated.

8. Competitive Admission Process Step 2
Student Services will verify you have met the Competitive Admission requirements. See next page for Review Criteria
Upon review completion, applications are forwarded to the program office
You will receive an via your NOVA address confirming receipt of your application
Slide 8
A verified and scored application completes step two of the competitive admission process. Student services will forward the scored application to the program office.

9. Competitive Admission Process Step 2 Scoring
The following criteria will be considered in the scoring process
TEAS - total adjusted score: Reading, Math, and English and Language usage
Experience/Certification: Currently working and certified in one of the following: CMA(AAMA), PBT (ASCP), NAACLS approved CA
Prerequisite Academic Performance
General Education Coursework within Curriculum
Slide 9
Applications are scored by Student Service Advisors. The scoring sheet is available in the Student Services Department All applications are considered.

10. Competitive Admission Process Step 3
Class enrollment is limited to twenty students. Selected students who meet the college policies for admission (see college catalog) will make up the fall class.
You will receive a welcome letter mid-summer with fall registration information specific to the major courses.
There are two mandatory orientation sessions held prior to the beginning of the fall semester
Medical Education Campus Orientation
MLT AAS Degree Program Orientation
Slide 10
Admission is granted to selected students. As mentioned in a previous slide (seven), the application period is:
First Priority from January 5 to April 30
Second Priority from May 1 to June 1
Should there be an opening after the June 1 application period has closed; applications may be considered is space is available.
Registration, criminal background check, and random urine drug screen information will be sent along with a welcome letter indicating admission to the program. The time and date of the program orientation meeting, which will be prior to the first day of classes, will also be in this packet. All incoming students must complete the criminal background check and random urine drug screen prior to the mandatory program orientation meeting. This introductory meeting provides critical information about policies and procedures, before you start the program.
In addition to the program orientation session, there is also a mandatory Medical Education Campus orientation session for first time enrollees. It offered multiple times during the summer term prior to the beginning of your first year experience. You will be notified of these dates.

11. Associate of Applied Science Degree Medical Laboratory Technology
Five semesters over a period of 20 months
There are 8 specific general education courses and 16 MDL major courses. Total hours to meet the requirements to earn the degree = 70.
Slide 11
The MLT AAS degree can be earned in five semesters (two academic years and the summer in between).

12. MAJOR COURSES YEAR ONE Fall year 1:
MDL 101 Introduction to Medical Laboratory Technology
MDL 125 Hematology I
MDL 140 Clinical Microscopy (hybrid)
MDL 215 Immunology
Spring year 1:
MDL 130 Basic Microbiology
MDL 225 Hematology II
MDL 260 Instrumentation
MDL 263 Clinical Chemistry & Instrumentation I
Slide 12
We are now looking at the sequence of major courses for the first year of the MLT program. Additional general education courses would also be part of your course schedule.

13. MAJOR COURSES YEAR TWO Summer year 1: MDL 266 and MDL 276
Automated Core: clinical practice in Chemistry & Hematology/Coagulation 5 days a week for 6 weeks; 3 weeks in each practice area.
Fall year 2:
MDL 216 Blood Banking
MDL 251 Clinical Microbiology I
MDL 243 Introduction to Clinical Molecular Diagnostics
Spring year 2:
MDL 281 Correlations (hybrid)
MDL 277 and MDL 278
Clinical Practice, Blood Banking & Microbiology 4 days per week for 10 weeks
Slide 13
After completing the first year professional courses, and other required pre-requisite course requirements, students complete their first two major clinical rotations (chemistry and hematology) in the summer following year one.
The Fall of year two contains the major didactic courses, Clinical Microbiology, Blood Banking, and Introduction to Clinical Molecular Diagnostics. The last semester ( Spring of the graduation year) is highly concentrated in clinical experience, with the capstone course MDL 281 Clinical Correlations delivered as a hybrid course (campus meetings combined with Canvas Group Assignments and Independent Study).

14. Important Considerations
You must earn a “C” or better in both lecture and lab sections of all major courses to progress to the next level course.
All MDL courses are sequential.
All general education courses MUST be completed prior to, or during, the semester listed in the college catalog.
All MDL major lecture and lab courses are taught at the Springfield Medical Education Campus
Slide 14
You must earn a C or better in both the lab and lecture sections of all MDL courses to be successful in that course. As an example of grading - an A in lecture, a D in lab would result in a final grade of D. We do offer students the opportunity to return the following year and repeat a major course one time.
Students are only admitted during the fall semester.

15. Pre-Clinical Practice Requirements: Documentation PORTFOLIO
Current CPR for Healthcare Providers
Current physical: within 1 year of clinical practice
Evidence of good physical health
Ability to meet the essential functions as required to practice in the profession
Slide 15
The clinical PORTFOLIO must be completed prior to clinical practice. You are strongly advised to complete these administrative requirements as soon as possible, and failing to do so may delay your entry into clinical practice

16. Pre-Clinical Practice Requirements Continued
Immunization documentation - specifically for
Hepatitis B (blood borne pathogen)
MMR (measles mumps rubella)
Varicella Zoster (chicken pox)
2-Step TST (tuberculosis); or if indicated, CXR chest x-ray, or IGRA blood test
Tdap (Diphtheria/Tetanus Toxoid/Pertussis)
Completion of Safety online tutorials: bio, chemical, electrical, and fire
Completion of BBP and HIPAA tutorials
The following are required by our clinical affiliates and completed before the start of classes and again prior to the beginning of year two:
Random Urine Drug Screen and Criminal Background Check
Slide 16
In addition, your vaccinations need to be up to date. Some additional requirements of the program, which will be discussed fully at orientation, are shown here.
If you have been convicted of a felony crime, and/or a misdemeanor crime involving drugs or alcohol you would not be eligible to complete the clinical course portion of the program to earn the degree. Hospital affiliates require this screening of our students prior to acceptance into clinical practice. As previously mentioned, the background check must be completed prior to start of classes. A second background check will be required between the 1st and 2nd year of the program.
Please feel free to schedule a meeting with the Program Director if you would like to discuss this in person

17. Other Needed Items Text Books: Lectures and labs On Campus lab:
Disposable lab coat & latex free disposable gloves
Course Assignments:
Ready access to a computer with internet capability
For Clinical Practice:
NOVA photo ID
Khaki Scrubs with program patch
Slide 17
There are other costs in addition to tuition. We make every effort to keep additional costs to a minimum. The dress code for clinical practice courses includes khaki scrubs, a program patch, and an optional cloth lab coat donned with a 2nd program patch. We do not require that students purchase a separate ID badge, and the NOVA photo ID serves this purpose

18. FAQ Where can I get an application to the college?
Online or at any NOVA Campus Admissions and Records office.
Where do I take the TEAS test ?
MEC Testing Center
Where do I take the assessment tests?
NOVA Campus Testing Centers.
How do I transfer courses from another school?
Request official transcript be sent to NOVA Medical Education Campus. It is your responsibility to check with Student Services to verify arrival of transcripts and to request that they be evaluated.
Slide 18
Some frequently asked questions are shown on this slide. You can apply to the college, which is required as part of admission to the program, either online or in person at any NOVA campus. The TEAS test is only offered on the Medical Education (Springfield) Campus. You can take the assessment tests on any NOVA campus—contact them directly for their operating hours.

19. FAQ Continued I have a degree from an accredited college/university
within the US.
Do I have to take:
The TEAS - Yes
The general education support courses - No, if your degree and individual course grades reflect the required GPA, and the science courses in the MLT curriculum have been taken within the past five years.
I have college level course work and/or a degree from
outside the United States. What do I need to do?
Have your international transcript evaluated by an agency acceptable to NOVA. Send the completed evaluation to the NOVA-MEC Student Services department for further evaluation from the college to enter appropriate transfer credit into your NOVA record.
Slide 19
If you have a degree from an accredited college or university within the U.S., have the required grade point average, and science courses taken within the past 5 years, you need only complete the MLT courses in the program and their pre-requisites.
If you have courses from another school, official transcripts need to be sent from those schools directly to NOVA. Check with student services to verify that these transcripts have been received. Start this process as early as possible, especially if these schools are outside the United States, which require foreign transcript evaluation in addition to evaluation at NOVA.

20. We Look Forward to Having YOU in the MLT AAS Degree Program
We Look Forward to Having YOU in the MLT AAS Degree Program! Northern Virginia Community College Medical Education Campus Allied Health Division Medical Laboratory Technology 6699 Springfield Center Drive Springfield, VA
Slide 20
We look forward to seeing you in the MLT Program at NOVA.

21. For additional information visit/contact the following
Thank You
For additional information visit/contact the following
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
5600 N. River Rd. Suite 700
Rosemont, IL
American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
33 West Monroe St. Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60603
American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS)
1861 International Drive, Suite 200 
McLean, VA 22102 
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Also, see these other websites for additional career information. This now completes the on line Information Session. You may now exit the slide show.