Clinical Laboratory Assistant
School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety
• Certificate of Achievement in Clinical Laboratory Assistant (CLA)
About HWPS Med. Lab. Tech. Phlebotomy FAQ's Coming Soon!
Program Description
Medical Laboratory Science programs prepare students to play a crucial role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Medical laboratory personnel work in clinics, hospitals, reference laboratories, and physician office labs. They safely collect, process, and analyze blood and bodily fluid specimens. They use microscopes, centrifuges, computerized instruments, and other sophisticated laboratory equipment. The complexity of tests performed, the level of judgment needed, and the amount of responsibility workers assume depends largely on the amount of education they have Students study theory in the classroom, and learn the skills in campus labs, and complete clinical experiences in area health care facilities and labs. Upon completion of the program students may be eligible to take the national certification examination by the American Medical Technologists (AMT).
CLA program begins each fall and lasts two terms with a phlebotomy prerequisite. Clinical Laboratory Assistants perform specimen processing, and waived and moderately complex testing various areas of the lab. Requires completion of the PHLB program (or equivalent) or national phlebotomy certification.
Courses in Medical Laboratory Science programs must be taken sequentially with corequisites. Refer to CNM Course Catalog, pages 155 thru 157 for more information.
Criminal Background and Drug Screening: Students with a criminal background may have limited employment opportunities in healthcare and public service. Students are required to undergo a routine drug screening and federal and state criminal background check with fingerprints prior to starting any of the program or prior to beginning their clinical experience. Students with a disqualifying conviction will not be allowed to start or remain in the program; additionally any student found to have a disqualifying conviction will not be allowed to register for any Allied Health or Nursing programs. Students with a positive drug screen will not be allowed to enter the program. Fees for fingerprinting, criminal background check and drug screening will apply for each program.
Physical Requirements: Students interested in Medical Laboratory Science programs must be in good physical and psychological health. A current physical exam and vaccinations (hepatitis B, MMR, DTP, PPD, and varicella) are required. Reasonable accommodations are made for those students with disabilities. Some disabilities may prohibit students from completing program specific competencies or gaining employment. Students with a disability that may interfere with completing program competencies, which may include providing safe patient care, are advised to contact the HWPS Division Office at (505) 224-4111 for more information.
Program Fees: The fees for each program will vary and are published in the Schedule of Classes. Fees may include the purchase of a set of scrubs, a nametag, hospital parking permits, criminal background check, drug screening, limited accidental exposure insurance, and an online practice exam. A separate fee for fingerprinting will be required.
CPR, BBP, and HIPAA: Students will be responsible for obtaining and maintaining certification in CPR, blood borne pathogens, and HIPAA prior to and during the Medical Laboratory Sciences programs. Certification can be obtained through the HLTH 1001 course or equivalent.
CLA Enrollment: The CLA program is open for enrollment to students who have successfully completed the CNM Phlebotomy program. Students who have completed an equivalent phlebotomy program or have national certification as a phlebotomist may request permission from the CLA program director at 224-5021. Click here for CLA course sequence.
Recommended Prerequisites: Medical Lab Sciences students who would like to take related courses while waiting for entry into their program may take HLTH 0850, OTEC 1101, HIT 1010, HIT 1020 and or MLT 1010.
Career and Educational Opportunities: Immediate job placement locally, regionally and nationally for all Medical Laboratory Science graduates is excellent due to a shortage of lab personnel. Tuition assistance for those who want to pursue more education in Medical Laboratory Science is available through many employers. The PHLB, CLA, and MLT programs are articulated, certain MLT courses will be waived for PHLB and CLA graduates. An agreement with the University of New Mexico allows for the transfer of CNM credits to the Medical Laboratory Science Bachelor of Science Degree program.. Graduate and higher degrees in Medical Laboratory Science are available.
Contact Information
Information concerning the CLA program is available from the program director, Monica Lewis at mllewis@cnm.edu, (505) 224-5021 or from Academic Advisement and Career Development at (505) 224-4321.
