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  1. Programs
  3. Medical Laboratory Technician

Medical Laboratory Technician

Otero College

Associate's DegreeCIP: 51.1004

Become a contributor for free to openly demonstrate student outcomes, industry alignment & eligibility criteria.

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Program Pathways

Credentials this program stacks toward

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Program Details

Detailed information about this program

No detailed information available.

Requirements

What you need to earn this credential

No requirements listed.

Financial Aid

Eligible funding programs

No funding information available.

Scholarships

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Locations

Where this program is offered

  • La Junta, Colorado

    1802 Colorado Avenue, La Junta, Colorado, 81050

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Related Programs

Programs related to this one

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Skills & Competencies

Skills developed through this program

Auto-populated·from O*NET via SOC 29-2012.01

Skills

Active ListeningCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionSpeakingScienceWritingInstructingMonitoringComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingTime ManagementLearning StrategiesActive Learning

Knowledge

BiologyEnglish LanguageChemistryAdministrativeMathematicsCustomer and Personal ServiceEducation and TrainingMedicine and DentistryPsychology

Abilities

Near VisionOral ComprehensionDeductive ReasoningWritten ComprehensionProblem SensitivityFinger DexterityInformation OrderingCategory FlexibilityOral ExpressionWritten ExpressionArm-Hand SteadinessManual DexteritySpeech ClarityInductive ReasoningSpeech Recognition

Tasks

  • Cut sections of body tissues for microscopic examination, using microtomes.
  • Embed tissue specimens into paraffin wax blocks, or infiltrate tissue specimens with wax.
  • Mount tissue specimens on glass slides.
  • Load slides onto staining equipment.
  • Conduct chemical analyses of body fluids, such as blood or urine, using microscope or automatic anal
  • Analyze the results of tests or experiments to ensure conformity to specifications, using special me
  • Set up, maintain, calibrate, clean, and test sterility of medical laboratory equipment.
  • Perform quality control analyses to ensure accuracy of test results.
  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  • Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, an
  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.

Technology

Medical softwareData base user interface and query softwareWord processing softwareLabel making softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareBilling and invoicing softwareElectronic mail softwareComputer based training softwareCalendar and scheduling software

Tools

Anti-roll platesAutomated coverslippersAutomated tissue sectioning systemsBack sledge microtomesClinical freezing microtomesCryostat microtomesCytocentrifugesDesktop computersDrying ovensElectronic laboratory balancesHistology diamond knivesHistology glass knivesIncubatorsKnife sharpenersLabel printers22-gauge needles5-part differential automated hematology analyzers8 and 12 channel pipettesAgglutination viewersAnaerobe jarsAnalytical balancesAntigen-coated test platesAutoclavesAutomated chemistry analyzersAutomated coagulation analyzersAutomated platelet analyzersAutomated/semi-automated dipstick analysis systemsAutomatic pipettersBench refractometersBlood agar plates

Work Values

SupportRelationshipsIndependenceWorking ConditionsAchievementRecognition
Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for

  • Histology Technicians29-2012.01
  • Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians29-2012.00
  • Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary25-1071.00
What You'll Learn

Key competencies developed through this program

Auto-populated·from NSX Competency Framework

Mastery: developing (Level 2)(based on Associate's Degree)

  • Microtome technique — cut consistently thin and artifact-free tissue sections at varying thicknesses across routine specimen types in a mid-volume histology lab.
  • Paraffin wax infiltration — embed diverse tissue specimens independently, adjusting processing parameters to account for specimen size and density.
  • Slide mounting quality — mount multiple tissue sections per slide with reliable orientation and minimal wrinkles during routine daily caseloads.
  • Differential staining procedures — select and apply a range of special stains beyond H&E, adapting protocols to specific tissue requirements in a diagnostic lab.
  • Frozen section processing — prepare and section cryostat specimens within intraoperative time constraints, communicating readiness to surgical staff.
  • Tissue processor operation — manage full dehydration, clearing, and infiltration cycles on computerized equipment, troubleshooting common process interruptions.
  • Archive management — organize and maintain histologic slide and block archives accurately across an ongoing caseload, ensuring chain-of-custody compliance.
  • Preventive equipment maintenance — inspect and calibrate microtomes, immunostainers, and water baths on scheduled cycles, documenting findings in lab records.
  • Time management under workload — prioritize concurrent specimen processing tasks to meet turnaround-time targets in a busy pathology department.
  • Laboratory documentation — compose accurate electronic records, worksheet entries, and inter-departmental emails using office suite and medical software tools.

Some details on this page are auto-populated from public workforce data sources: O*NET (opens in new tab), BLS (opens in new tab), College Scorecard (opens in new tab), DOL Training Provider Results (opens in new tab), NSX (opens in new tab). Provided in partnership with LER.me Career Intelligence.

Student Outcomes

Performance metrics for this program

Auto-populated·from Scorecard + DOL
Completion Rate
58%
Placement Rate
6%