The major component of most B.Sc. MLT programs is the internships, in which students have practical, hands-on experience working in the area of medical laboratory technology. Usually, internships are conducted within hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and research institutions; here, they apply theoretical knowledge gained in classrooms to actual laboratories. The period of internship is usually a couple of weeks to months, as determined by the program structure.
The internship allows the student to learn some crucial skills, including laboratory equipment use, diagnostic testing, keeping records, and observing the safety procedures in place. It is this practical experience that readies the student for the working world, providing technical competency while bettering his or her perception of how lab work operates within a professional health care environment. Students are also given the chance to make networking connections with professionals in the field, which often can translate into employment upon graduation.