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Medical lab students doing an experiment in the lab
Medical laboratory technicians perform test procedures to help diagnose and treat diseases. The Oregon Employment Department forecasts job growth for medical laboratory technicians in the Portland area will be 12.8% through 2027.

Why choose Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) at PCC?

Salary

The Oregon Employment Department reports medical lab technicians in the Portland area earn from $19.79 to $49.95 per hour. The average annual salary is $71,982.

More information
Facilities

The campus-based courses are taught in modern and well-equipped laboratories. You will also practice in a simulated laboratory setting (SimLab) at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital. Finally, you will continue to develop your professional skills in affiliate laboratories.

Student outcomes
Graduation rates
  • Graduating Class of 2022: 100%
  • Graduating Class of 2023: 100%
  • Graduating Class of 2024: 0%*

*This program did not have a cohort graduate in 2024.

ASCP certification pass rates
  • Graduating Class of 2022: 100%
  • Graduating Class of 2023: 100%
  • Graduating Class of 2024: 0%*

*This program did not have a cohort graduate in 2024.

Placement rates
  • Graduating Class of 2022: 0%**
  • Graduating Class of 2023: 100%
  • Graduating Class of 2024: 0%*

*The program did not have a cohort graduate in 2024.

**No data available for graduating class of 2022.

Attrition rate in the final half of the program
  • Graduating Class of 2022: 0%
  • Graduating Class of 2023: 0%
  • Graduating Class of 2024: 0%*

*The program did not have a cohort graduate in 2024.

Accreditation

The Portland Community College Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) program maintains accreditation by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS). Only MLT programs accredited by the NAACLS qualify to have their graduates sit for national certification exams.

Award information

Degrees and certificates by number of terms to complete
Award Length (attending full-time) Financial aid eligible Currently accepting students?
Associate Degree: Medical Laboratory Technology2 yearsLimited entry, see how to apply to Medical Laboratory Technology

Locations

What will you learn?

The MLT Program provides extensive training, including a clinical internship with supervised work experience.

What will you do?

As a medical lab technician, you will know how to use sophisticated instruments to perform hundreds of critical tests including:

  • Identifying normal and abnormal blood cells to assist with the diagnosis of anemias and leukemias
  • Chemistry tests to measure blood glucose, heart enzymes, and drug levels
  • Procedures to ensure that trauma patients receive safe units of blood
  • Identify bacteria, fungi, and parasites which cause infections

Who will hire you?

You will find job opportunities in a variety of settings:

  • Blood banks
  • Clinical laboratories
  • Consulting firms
  • Education institutions
  • Government health agencies
  • Hospital laboratories
  • Physician office laboratories
  • Sales and service companies
  • Veterinary clinics and hospitals
  • Volunteer organizations

Next steps

Applying to PCC is free and only takes a few minutes.Apply now
Limited entry awards have an additional application process. See each award page for all prerequisite requirements.

Not quite ready to apply?

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Related programs

PCC offers more than 90 programs.