Department of Medical Technology

Biomedical Sciences C-206
1960 East-West Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-8557
Web: medtech.jabsom.hawaii.edu

Faculty

V. Nxedhlana, PhD, MT(ASCP) Program Director—medical technology
J. S. Ha, PhD—clinical biochemistry
R. Singh, MBA, MT(ASCP)—medical technology
R. M. Yamaguchi, MPH, MT(ASCP)—medical technology
Y. Zak, BS, MT(ASCP)—medical technology

* Graduate Faculty

The Academic Program

Medical laboratory science is a health-care profession in which medical technologists (medical laboratory scientists) (MLS) perform laboratory procedures for the promotion of health and the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of diseases. The Department of Medical Technology offers a major to educate and train future MLS. Technical skills needed to carry out MLS tasks include microscopy, venipuncture, manipulation of various labware and operation of automated instruments. Results of these procedures are essential to the delivery of quality health care. The field is broad and involves several disciplines: chemistry, hematology, immunohematology (blood banking), immunology, and microbiology.

Medical laboratory science is a constantly evolving profession. Advances in healthcare and new career opportunities have fueled the demand for MLS. Employment opportunities are in hospitals, physician’s offices, reference labs, DNA labs, research, veterinary clinics, and other labs. Education and training in medical technology also enables graduates to pursue careers as physicians, forensic scientists, researchers, educators, health administrators, consultants, and many more.

Admission Requirements

The curriculum is a career-pathway structure that begins with medical lab technician (MLT) associate degree at a community college and culminates in a BS degree in medical technology. Students master the basic skills and knowledge in medical laboratory as MLTs, then clinical applications and problem solving skills that are required of the baccalaureate level practitioners are learned at UH Mānoa. Kapiolani Community College (KCC) offers an associate degree in MLT (4303 Diamond Head Road, Honolulu, HI 96816; www.kapiolani.hawaii.edu/programs/health/health-sciences/mlt/; (808) 734-9270.

Among eligible candidates, 10 to 15 students per year will be selected by the Admissions Committee to be admitted. Eligibility criteria are:

Associate degree in Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT).
National certification as an MLT.
Cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 in the MLT program.

While at KCC, students are encouraged to select courses applicable to UH Mānoa General Education, major requirements and prerequisites. Students considering matriculating to UH Mānoa should seek academic advising from advisors on either campus (KCC or UH Mānoa).

Medical technologists perform various procedures that directly impact patient care, so it is important that all applicants be able to perform certain essential functions. With appropriate accommodations, if needed, everyone must be able to perform the activities listed below. These skills are assessed in the MLT program. Additional professional skills are taught in classes after admission.

Manipulate labware to transfer or prepare reagents and samples (e.g., charge hemocytometer, prepare blood smear).
Operate simple instruments according to instructions (e.g., cell counter, centrifuge, spectrophotometer).
Perform microscopic examinations on various specimens and report the results (e.g., leukocyte differential count, cell morphology, urinary sediments).
Follow written and verbal directions to perform laboratory tests and report results.

Other Requirements

Medical technology majors are required to have professional liability insurance, which costs about $40 per year. Immunization for Hepatitis B virus is highly recommended. Clinical affiliates, for those who opt to participate in the postgraduate clinical training, may have additional requirements (e.g., vaccinations, CPR/AED training, criminal background check).

Advising

Students are encouraged to see a medical technology advisor as soon as possible and prior to each registration period. Appointments can be made through the department office.

Clinical Training

Clinical training at affiliated clinical labs in Hawaiʻi follows graduation. Alternatively, as certified MLT, students may qualify for medical lab scientist (MLS) certification through work experience.

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 5600 N. River Rd. Rosemont, IL 60018, phone (773) 714-8880, www.naacls.org.

Certification and Licensure

After clinical training, students are eligible to take a national certification exam. In Hawaiʻi, state licensure is also required for employment.

Programs

Bachelor’s

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

Clinical Training, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate