Southern Regional Technical College’s Clinical Laboratory Technology Program held a pinning ceremony on May 30th, marking the completion of the program for five students: Evelyn Esquivel-Carvajal of Moultrie, Jessica LeAnne Gulsby of Tallahassee, Kamaya Jackson of Valdosta, Letitia Janaye Owens of Tallahassee, and Whitley Royals of Nashville.  Each student graduated with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Technology from SRTC.

“Clinical Laboratory Technicians play an important role in the prevention and diagnosis of diseases. During the course of the program students learn to perform clinical laboratory procedures. Classroom training is integrated with clinical experiences under the medical direction of cooperating hospitals. Upon graduating and receipt of their Associate of Applied Science Degree these students will be able to work in hospitals and doctor’s offices. When working in a hospital setting the technician may work in various departments such as Microbiology, Hematology, Blood Bank, Immunology and Clinical Chemistry.  The technicians perform tests that assist the doctors in verifying the causes of an illness, making medical decisions and determining treatment choices,” commented Georgia Smith, SRTC CLT Program Director.  

The program is accredited by the National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.  With this accreditation, graduates may sit for the American Society for Clinical Pathology National Certification Exam to become Certified Clinical Lab Technicians. Graduating from a NAACLS accredited program and passing the national certification is the only way someone can be employed in a clinical lab at a hospital.

The following awards were also given at the ceremony: The Ambassador Award to Letitia Owens and the Highest Ranking Senior Award to Whitley Royals.

SRTC’s CLT Program is a sequence of courses that prepares students for careers as clinical laboratory technicians. Students learn to perform clinical laboratory procedures under the supervision of a qualified pathologist and/or clinical laboratory scientist. These tests are used to detect things such as blood type, HIV-AIDS, diabetes, hepatitis, anemia, West Nile virus, and much more. Throughout the program, classroom training is integrated with clinical experiences under the medical direction of cooperating hospitals.