Medical Laboratory Assistant

 ENROLLMENT IS OPEN!!!

A Medical Laboratory Assistant will perform various tasks to support the laboratory technical staff, including blood specimen collection, specimen procurement, specimen processing, lab testing, send outs and the maintenance of quality assurance records. The individual will work collaboratively with all patients in accordance with department.

The Lab Assistant will also be able to receive and process samples to identify suitability, prepare samples for testing using various types of laboratory equipment, perform waived and low complexity laboratory testing, prepare and maintain accurate laboratory records, label specimens accurately and distribute them to the appropriate department, perform quality control as directed by the Laboratory Manager, clean and maintain work area and all lab equipment and supplies. The student will receive a digital certificate of completion unless otherwise requested. 

This program is a total of 616 hours which consists of classroom, online, skills lab, and clinical externship. 

Course Prerequisite: Phlebotomy Experience

Must have a certificate of completion from a Phlebotomy program OR must be currently employed as a Phlebotomist AND/OR have at least one year of verified working experience in phlebotomy.  

Course Prerequisite: Complio Account

Course Recommendation: Electronic Device with access to the Internet

This program is accredited by American Medical Technologists (AMT). Prior to program completion, students will create an AMT account and schedule their final written exam which is administered by Pearson Vue. The examination fee, $135.00, is included in the tuition. The AMT Medical Laboratory Assistant (CMLA) exam may serve as a final exam. 

A digital certificate of completion will be issued into Complio after the student attempts the AMT Medical Laboratory Assistant (CMLA) exam. A physical certificate of completion may be picked up at the Continuing Education office.

Please scroll through the entire web page as many of the frequently asked questions are answered below. Also, please refer to the Resources section at the bottom of the webpage for more valuable information. If you still are in need of additional assistance, please call the Continuing Education office at 432.335.6580 or email us conted@odessa.edu.

Want to know the Laboratory Assistant's Career Outlook?

United States Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics – Medical Laboratory Assistant 

To make our programs more beneficial for students, the Textbooks, Scrubs, Supply Fees, and the Exam Voucher are included in the tuition! 

By packaging these items into the tuition students can now have these items covered by grant and scholarship funds for a lower out of pocket expense. 

We also have payment plans available so you can get started training for your new career sooner!

Have enrollment questions? Please call our office at 432.335.6580 or email at conted@odessa.edu. 

Next Enrollment Fall 2024

Course Info: 

• Fall Courses (Odessa) 
  • Duration: 44 Weeks
  • Class Size: 6 Min/10 Max
  • Cost: $5,900 (Includes Supplies, Textbooks, Scrubs, and Testing Fee)
  • Down payment: $500
  • Hours: 456 Classroom/Skills Lab Hours, 160 Clinical Hours; there is an online component to this course
  • AMT Recognized
  • Pre-Requisite - Phlebotomy Experience or Certificate of Completion and Complio Account
  • Major Code: 8053M, CIP 51.1004
  • Adult EVENING Classes:
    • Classroom/Skills Lab – TUESDAYS and THURSDAYS 6:00 PM-10:00 PM
    • Clinical Externship – MONDAY – FRIDAY TBD (Dependent on Assigned Facilities Hours)   
      • September 3rd, 2024 - July 25th, 2025
        • 24/Q1 MLAB 1001 100
        • 24/Q1 MLAB 1011 101
        • 24/Q1 MLAB 1027 102
        • 24/Q1 MLAB 1015 103
        • 25/Q2 MLAB 2001 104
        • 25/Q2 MLAB 2034 105
        • 25/Q2 MLAB 2031 106
        • 25/Q4 MLAB 1035 107
        • 25/Q4 MLAB 1031 108
        • 25/Q3 MLAB 2000 109
        • 25/Q2 MLAB 1064 110 

What do I need to register?

The Health Careers Pre-Registration process utilizes a Document Tracking Service called COMPLIO! This pre-registration service will cost $97 for Odessa residents and $109 for students in Extension Sites. This cost for THE BUNDLE includes the required Background Check and Drug Screen costs. Please ensure you have all of the items listed on the Checklist prior to purchase. Also, be mindful that the drug screen order will expire within 30 days of creating an account. Please review COMPLIO's non-refundable policy prior to purchase. You will need to submit the documentation from the applicable checklist. Once you upload your documents, you will have access to them through American DataBank Complio for a lifetime! The Certificate of Completion will also be accessible through this system when the students have completed a Health Careers program. 

• Adult Learner Checklist 
• Checklist may say Non-CNA Learner or other classification; the checklist is correct. 
• COMPLIO How to Guide & Tutorial will provide you with examples of how to enter your documentation. If you are ready to submit your documents click the link below to create a COMPLIO account.
• A Customer Service chat is available after an account is created or you can call 1-800-200-0853 Monday-Friday 8am-6pm (MT) for assistance. Click Here to Submit Documents to COMPLIO.

Please enter your information into Complio how you want it to appear on your Certificate of Completion and input the email address where you wish to receive email communication from the college.  

Make sure your scrubs fit! Come by the Gregory D. Williams Hall located at 2714 Robertson Ave and try on available sample sizes before completing your size selection in Complio. 

I am Compliant with COMPLIO and have met all the enrollment requirements. What’s next?

Call the Continuing Education Department at 432-335-6580 to enroll AFTER you have received an email from COMPLIO stating you are “Compliant” and have met the registration requirements. Our team will verify your compliance and enroll you in a Health Careers course. 

Within 48 hours of enrolling tuition or payment plan must be initiated. Please use the link below to start your program payment plan. Out team can also accept payment over the phone with a credit card at 432-335-6580.

Payment Plan Link

Contact Workforce Solutions of the Permian Basin to see if you qualify for their tuition assistance program! 

• Workforce Solutions Permian Basin  website 

What do I need prior to the first day of class?

Students need to be fitted for their scrubs prior to the first day of the course as well as access their Blackboard account and Student Email. 

During the first weeks of class you will receive your course materials including textbook, scrubs, and a badge. Our programs require students to wear Galaxy Blue scrubs to class and clinical. Students may wear course T-Shirts to class with instructor approval. Come by the Gregory D. Williams Hall located at 2714 Robertson Ave and try on available sample sizes before completing your size selection in Complio. 

Most classes have a physical textbook distributed by Continuing Education or available through the OC Campus Bookstore. You may need to obtain a textbook, which is included in your tuition, through the Odessa College Bookstore 432-335-6655. Some classes have a digital textbook which will be delivered via Blackboard or issued by the instructor. 

Helpful Videos:

Complio Overview

Creating an Account

Change Subscription

Medical Laboratory Assistant Schedule

Disclaimers:

*Offerings are subject to restrictions and/or guidelines issued by local, state, and national government entities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Classes, courses, and/or programs may be postponed or cancelled as Odessa College determines necessary to remain in compliance with such restrictions or guidelines.