At River Valley Community College, the newly renovated medical laboratory is ready for new students with a love of science and an interest in healthcare. “Becoming a laboratory technician can open a world of opportunity,” said Professor Nancy Eckert, Director & Clinical Coordinator of Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) & Phlebotomy Programs at RVCC.
The recently completed 1.1-million-dollar lab renovation was unveiled in the spring to the Community College System of New Hampshire Board of Trustees who were treated to a tour of the new facility, along with alumni and the program’s advisory board which consists of former students, medical lab science professors, lab directors and scientists from healthcare facilities in the area. With the completion of the new labs, the MLT program is gaining a lot of attention. The state-of-the-art lab space provides students with real-world hands-on experience that is applicable in the workplace.
Eckert, who has been a laboratory scientist for most of her career, says students in the MLT program range from recent high school graduates to phlebotomists and healthcare workers looking to enhance and advance their careers. “You won’t be stuck in just one position in your career. You could specialize in lab disciplines such as molecular diagnostics or transfusion medicine. You might become a researcher or instructor,” she said.
Lab technicians are often “behind the scenes” in healthcare, providing reliable, high-quality tests. These tests are used by clinicians to determine a patient’s diagnosis, make decisions about care, and develop treatment plans with their patients.
Essential skills for working in a lab include troubleshooting problems with instruments, fine motor skills, clear communication, and the ability to work with compassion, integrity and follow ethical standards. Eckert said the demand and salaries for skilled lab techs is high, and recruiters are reaching out throughout the year looking for candidates to fill positions. “I’ve been in the field over 40 years, and this is the worst shortage of techs I’ve experienced. Even with the improved technology and automation, the number of jobs for lab techs is expected to increase as there will always be a need to maintain and operate lab instruments,” said Eckert.
The Medical Lab Technician program at RVCC is the only associate degree program of its kind in New Hampshire and Vermont. The application is currently open and there are spots available in the program for the fall 2024 semester. More information can be found on the college’s website at www.rivervalley.edu. Eckert welcomes high school graduates, transfer students and career changers to contact her by emailing [email protected] to find out more about the program and the profession. She added, “At the end of each day, you are rewarded with the knowledge that you helped patients and saved lives.”
