ARMC School Preps Lab Techs for Real-World

COLTON>> Only a select few students land spots at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center’s School of Medical Technology. Those who successfully complete the school’s rigorous coursework and hands-on training are almost guaranteed to secure well-paying jobs in their field. “There’s a shortage of clinical laboratory scientists so there is no shortage of jobs,” said ARMC School of Medical Technology Program Director, Ramona Fox. Students train alongside licensed clinical laboratory scientists at the busy hospital as they collect and test patient specimens for a wide variety of ailments and issues. “You are placed into an actual working environment that you can’t really simulate,” Fox said. Students also attend lectures where they learn about clinical chemistry, hematology, immunology, immunohematology, microbiology, molecular biology and other subjects that are critical to their field. All of the training and coursework is necessary to ensure students have the skills and knowledge necessary to accurately perform a multitude of tests and analyses. “Doctors may base their treatments on the results of these tests, so it’s critical for the results the doctors are looking at to be accurate,” Fox said. “You don’t want to be treated for high blood sugar if you don’t have high blood sugar.” After they have successfully completed the program, students must pass a certification exam which enables them to become licensed as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist before they can begin working in the field. The school’s students have a pass rate of 100% on the American Society for Clinical Pathology Medical Laboratory Science certification exam, as well as a 100% graduation and placement rate. ARMC School of Medical Technology students pay no tuition, and the hospital also pays them slightly above minimum wage for their 40-hour per week internship during the yearlong training program. On average, the school receives about 30 applications a year, but only three students are accepted who meet all of the prerequisites; that includes a BS degree along with coursework in chemistry, biology, mathematics and physics. Prospective students must also demonstrate a keen eye for detail and excellent communication skills. “We look at their GPA, references, relevant job experience, and the interview can be very important too,” Fox said. “You have to have someone who understands and follows all of the regulations because this isn’t a science experiment.” The San Bernardino County Medical Center, which became Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in 1999 when it moved to Colton, started the School of Medical Technology in the late 1950s. It was closed due to budget constraints in 1995, but was reopened in 2007 because the Laboratory’s medical director realized the growing need for medical technologists.