Frequently Asked Questions

The following are some frequently asked questions about the Medical Laboratory Technician program (MLAB):

• How long is the program? 
  The program lasts twenty-four months. Students require class year round.
   
• Are classes available on weekends or evenings?  
  No classes are offered on evenings or weekends.
    
• What is the deadline for applications? 
  Applications are accepted year round; however, the MLAB program begins in August of each year.  Students may begin academic classes at any time.  The MLAB classes are offered only once a year in a specified sequence.
    
• What is the job market like? 
  There are numerous openings for phlebotomists and medical technicians locally and nationwide. The national vacancy average for laboratory technicians is twelve percent and is expected to increase through the year 2014.
    
• What are the starting salaries? 
  In the San Antonio area, starting salaries are around $14.00 per hour.  Second and third shift technicians usually have a shift differential added to their salary.
   
• Where are the clinical sites located? 
  Most of the clinical sites are located in the San Antonio Metropolitan area.  There are also clinical affiliates in the cities of Hondo, Pearsal, Floresville, Seguin, and New Braunfels.
   
• Are there any certification or licensing requirements? 
  In Texas, there are no licensing or certification requirements to begin a laboratory career. however, most hospital and outpatient laboratories do require that a certification examination be taken by the end of the first year of employment to maintain the job description of medical laboratory technician.