Medical Laboratory Assistant

Program Snapshot
Duration16–24 weeks
FormatOnline Classes

A Medical Laboratory Assistant is a person who, under the supervision of a medical technologist, processes samples.

Why Choose New York Academy

Graduates pursue roles as a Medical Laboratory Assistant in hospitals, clinics, and healthcare practices.

What You’ll Learn

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Hands-on clinical training with real equipment

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Small class sizes with individualized instruction

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Taught by working healthcare professionals

The Medical Laboratory Assistant program prepares you to support medical technologists in processing specimens and running routine tests behind the scenes of every diagnosis. In sixteen weeks, you will learn specimen handling, basic lab testing, and quality control practices used in clinical laboratories.

Essential Work Behind Every Diagnosis

Medical Laboratory Assistants keep the lab running accurately and on schedule. Graduates find opportunities in:

Hospital and reference laboratories

Diagnostic and pathology labs

Physician office labs

Blood donation centers

Hands-On Lab Practice

You will practice specimen processing, basic testing procedures, and equipment maintenance in a supervised lab setting before progressing to a clinical externship.

Built Around Industry Standards

Curriculum is mapped to the competencies expected by clinical laboratory employers and national assistant-level certification programs.

Train medical laboratory assistants who can accurately process specimens, perform routine testing procedures, and maintain the quality-control standards required in a clinical laboratory.

Laboratory Foundations

Build the knowledge every lab assistant needs:

Medical terminology and lab department overview

Infection control and biohazard safety

Specimen types and collection basics

Specimen Processing Skills

Develop hands-on competency through supervised practice:

Specimen receiving, labeling, and centrifugation

Basic hematology and chemistry testing support

Equipment calibration and maintenance

Quality control and rejection criteria

Professional Practice

Prepare for the laboratory workplace:

Documentation and chain-of-custody procedures

HIPAA and records confidentiality

Resume preparation and externship readiness

A 16-week program totaling 300 academic hours, combining classroom instruction, laboratory practice, and a supervised clinical externship.

Module 1 — Laboratory Foundations (Weeks 1–4)

MLA-101 Medical Terminology & Lab Overview — 40 hours · In-person

Terminology and structure of the clinical laboratory

MLA-102 Infection Control & Biohazard Safety — 20 hours · In-person

Standard precautions and safe handling of biological specimens

Module 2 — Specimen Processing (Weeks 5–11)

MLA-201 Specimen Receiving & Processing — 60 hours · In-person

Labeling, centrifugation, and specimen routing

MLA-202 Basic Testing Support — 80 hours · In-person

Introductory hematology and chemistry testing procedures

Module 3 — Externship (Weeks 12–16)

MLA-301 Clinical Externship — 80 hours · In-person

Supervised lab practice at an affiliated clinical site

MLA-302 Quality Control Review — 20 hours · Hybrid

Quality control standards and documentation review

Total duration 16 weeks
Total academic hours 300 hours
Classroom & lab hours 220 hours (73%)
Clinical externship hours 80 hours (27%)

Graduates receive a certificate of completion recognized by clinical laboratory employers as preparation for entry-level lab assistant roles.

Applicant Profile

We look for candidates who are precise, comfortable following strict protocols, and interested in behind-the-scenes clinical work.

Academic Requirements

High school diploma or GED

Basic reading and math proficiency

Required Documentation

Completed admission application

Government-issued photo ID

Proof of immunizations for clinical externship

Background check prior to externship

Clinical Lab Requirements

Lab coat and approved clinical attire

Closed-toe, non-slip footwear

Reliable transportation to the externship site

Career Outlook

Graduates pursue roles as a Medical Laboratory Assistant in hospitals, clinics, and healthcare practices.

Preparing doers and healers for the future through rigorous certifications in healthcare, ministry, and skilled trades.

Contact

Contact Us(518) 708-1373info@newyorkacademy.us

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