蜜桔直播

Medical Laboratory Technology Program Starts This Fall

Lori Reynolds is director of the college's new medical laboratory technology program.

Associate Degree Can Lead to Rewarding Career

An increased demand for medical laboratory technicians has led to a new program focused on the career at 蜜桔直播.

The Medical Laboratory Technology Program will launch this fall. As medical laboratory technicians, graduates will be prepared to work in a variety of health care settings performing medical tests. 

鈥淢edical laboratory technicians perform diagnostic testing on blood, body fluids, body tissues and other items,鈥� said Lori Reynolds, director of the new program. 鈥淪ometimes, they may assist in collecting samples. Techs work in a laboratory setting and use the standard equipment used in biology and chemistry. You鈥檒l learn how to do all of that in this program.鈥�

The program will accept 20 students each year, and the first class will begin this fall and graduate in December 2027.

This program will be hybrid. Students will take on-site laboratory classes one or two days a week at the Claiborne County Campus and take the remaining classes online. The program is five semesters, including two semesters of prerequisite courses like English composition and microbiology. Three semesters will focus on medical laboratory technology. Most prerequisites are available online or in the classroom. Students who have already completed some college courses may complete the program sooner.

Like other 蜜桔直播 health care programs, the program includes hours of clinical training in actual medical laboratories, working alongside laboratory supervisors and other health care professionals. Clinical rotations are planned in two semesters, with over 20 clinical laboratories serving as training sites. The program will try to match students with clinical hours near their homes. 

Reynolds has worked as a medical laboratory scientist for over 30 years. She has also taught high school chemistry and served as a lab inspector for the state.   Her experience has primarily been in local hospitals, but technicians work in a variety of health care settings. 

鈥淢ost lab techs are generalists,鈥� Reynolds said. 鈥淵ou can work in so many departments. You may test tissue, test bodily fluids, and then test blood. Technicians may also collect specimens, especially if working in a small setting or working an overnight shift.鈥�

Reynolds said this is a great career for someone who wants to help others without having direct patient contact. Successful technicians often like to solve puzzles and are curious by nature.

鈥淚f you like watching the television shows focused on forensic science, this career could be a good fit. Technicians do similar behind-the-scenes work,鈥� she said         Starting pay for technicians in this area averages around $50,000. Pay rises with more experience and, in some cases, education. 蜜桔直播 is working with two four-year institutions to establish articulation agreements. These will enable the program鈥檚 graduates to transfer and complete a bachelor鈥檚 degree in medical laboratory science. Having this degree usually increases pay. Reynolds said the associate鈥檚 degree opens other options.
           
鈥淪ome students may choose to get a bachelor鈥檚 degree in business with plans to open or manage a laboratory. For others, this can be a starting point for a career connected to criminal justice,鈥� she said. 鈥淔or most, though, this degree leads to a rewarding career that pays a good salary.鈥�

For more information, visit or contact Reynolds at (423) 585-6929 or Lori.ReynoldsFREEWS.