THOMASVILLE, Ga. – Thomas University’s Medical Laboratory Science Program is celebrating a remarkable achievement.
The Fall 2023 graduates have achieved a 100% pass rate on their certification exams.
This remarkable accomplishment signifies that each graduate has met rigorous academic and clinical requirements, showcasing the knowledge and skills necessary to excel as certified medical laboratory scientist.
“Our program qualifies our students to be eligible to sit for a national board certification exam to become medical laboratory scientists through ASCP, which is the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. National average that is required of us to achieve is 75% pass rate. So, for our program to achieve a 100% pass rate from this cohort, it shows that our program is meeting those standards and preparing our students to sit for that national board certification exam. And, it is giving them the opportunity to gain better employment and gain better job positions,” said Jeanette Norris, Thomas University MLS Program Director.
After earning their certification, graduates are equipped to pursue careers in a variety of settings, including hospitals, oncology clinics, clinical laboratories, and research institutions, where they can take on specialized roles.
Thomas University MLS Program Director, Jeanette Norris, highlights the diverse opportunities the program offers.
“In order to meet those standards, Thomas University is able to support our program completely. In order to do that, we have annual conference attendance to network with other programs. We have articulation agreements to try to help ease that transition to bring in those two year degreed MLTs, the Medical Laboratory Technicians. So that they can kind of just jump right into our program. They already know ahead of time what sort of credits they’re able to bring in. The science degrees healthcare related field, they’re able to come onto our post-baccalaureate MLS route. And, those students, a lot of them have already started working in a lab. Usually it’s like a processor or even a phlebotomist, and they don’t know that the laboratory exists and actually have a degree for it. And, so, they’re able to kind of just jump into our online program, complete everything online we have at home kits that they get sent so that they can do some of these skills in person,” said Norris.
Thomas University extends its gratitude to local partners for their support and contributing to the growth of the field.
“Lab experience is required as part of this program. And, we have students from all over the country. So, they’re taking their courses online but they have to do their lab work locally. And, so, we get a lot of support from local hospitals because again, this field has a huge shortage,” said Susan Backofen, Vice President of Enrollment, Thomas University.
“Thank you to our memorial hospitals, since they constantly are supporting and collaborating with us in our health programs for medical laboratory science, nursing, exercise science, they provide grants to us to help fund our programs and support the online learners, as well as those on campus,” said Norris.
De’Andra Jacobs reporting.
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