UMA, UMPI collaborate on medical lab program

AUGUSTA – The Medical Laboratory Technology Program of Maine is a new collaborative effort between the University of Maine at Augusta and the University of Maine at Presque Isle.

Through a combination of videoconferencing, Web-enhanced courses and on-campus weekend intensive laboratories, this new program will provide statewide accessibility to individuals interested in obtaining an associate of science degree in medical laboratory technology.

Medical laboratory technologists perform routine tests in the medical laboratory for use in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. MLTs perform tests in the four major departments of the laboratory: blood bank, chemistry, hematology and microbiology.

Although most MLTs are employed in hospital laboratories, others work for physicians’ offices, reference laboratories, research laboratories, state public health laboratories and federal government agencies.

With this new program, students throughout the state can take their core courses at any one of the seven university campuses.

The MLT courses will be offered by videoconferencing at each of the seven University of Maine System campuses, University College of Bangor, the Hutchinson Center in Belfast, and Lewiston-Auburn College.

Each MLT course will require a maximum of three intensive weekend laboratories to be held at UMA and UMPI. The clinical training will be done at local hospitals. Current clinical affiliates include: MaineGeneral Medical Center in both Augusta and Waterville, the Aroostook Medical Center in Presque Isle, Cary Medical Center in Caribou, and Houlton Regional Hospital. Others will be added as the program evolves.