Columbia State Community College recently honored nine medical lab technology graduates in a pinning ceremony in the Waymon L. Hickman Building.

“We were delighted with the number of friends and family who came to the pinning ceremonies,” said Lisa Harmon, Columbia State program director and assistant professor of medical laboratory technology. “This demonstrates the high level of support that these students have and need to complete this rigorous program. Also present were Columbia State administration and our partners from Maury Regional Medical Center whose continued support is so critical for this program.” 

The Medical Lab Technology Associate of Applied Science degree academic plan involves two or more semesters of general education coursework followed by a 12-month, three semester, series of core courses designed to provide classroom and clinical-based competencies which provide students with the tools for licensure examination success, gainful in-field employment, and career satisfaction.

“The procedures learned in a med lab program are essential to the what and why of diagnosis and treatment,” said Dr. Kae Fleming, Columbia State dean of the Health Sciences Division. “The demand for laboratory professionals is critical and facilities are competing to hire Columbia State graduates!”

The medical laboratory technician possesses the technical skills necessary to perform routine testing in the areas of hematology, serology, coagulation, clinical microbiology, clinical chemistry, blood banking and urinalysis in clinical laboratories of hospitals, clinics and physician offices under the supervision of a physician and/or medical technologist.

Lab tests shape the majority of medical decisions made by physicians. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects the demand for medical laboratory professionals will increase at a rate nearly double the average increase for all populations. Since the pandemic began, nearly one billion diagnostic COVID-19 tests have been conducted by medical laboratory professionals.