Bucks County Community College recently congratulated the first students to graduate from its Medical Laboratory Technician associate degree program.
Graduating in August with associate of applied science degrees are Pinal Patel, of Bensalem, and Julie Jafarli, of Doylestown, who completed clinical training at Lower Bucks Hospital in Bristol; and Ryan Weeks, of Quakertown, who completed clinicals at St. Luke’s University Health Network Quakertown Campus.
Professor Karen Gatewood, who coordinates the MLT program at the community college, said after coronavirus restrictions prevented one of the college’s clinical partners from accepting students, Lower Bucks Hospital stepped in to help, taking on an additional student when clinical training resumed in June.
The hospital, located in Bristol Township near the college’s Epstein Campus at Lower Bucks, was eager to be of assistance.
“It’s very important for Lower Bucks Hospital to step up and help students fill important roles like lab techs, who are needed to help our doctors determine the best care for our patients,” said Michael Motte, the hospital’s chief executive officer. “We are very grateful for our close relationship with Bucks County Community College and appreciate the connections we’ve made with Epstein Campus Dean Jim Sell, Health Sciences Dean Connie Corrigan, and Professor Karen Gatewood.”
Gatewood said the graduates are poised to step into high-demand jobs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 13 percent increase in demand for med-lab techs through 2026, while the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services predicts a 22 percent increase in demand in the field over the next five years.
“As published documents attest, there is a current and future need for certified Medical Laboratory Technicians,” Gatewood said. “Bucks County Community College’s MLT program is dedicated to fulfilling this need by providing graduates who are competent and dedicated to their profession.”
The MLT occupational major is a two-year, 68-credit program that prepares the student to take the American Society for Clinical Pathology examination for credentialing and to seek immediate employment as a medical laboratory technician. To learn more, visit bucks.edu/healthsciences or contact Gatewood at karen.gatewood@bucks.edu.
