CCC to launch medical lab tech program

Staff Reports | The Shelby Independent

Cleveland Community College plans to launch a new Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program to help meet the growing need for skilled laboratory professionals in our region.

Pending approval by the North Carolina Community College System and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), CCC plans to begin offering courses in fall 2026. The associate degree program will complement CCC’s existing health sciences programs and expand opportunities for students seeking a rewarding career in healthcare.

Medical Lab Technicians play a vital behind-the-scenes role in patient care by performing laboratory tests that help physicians diagnose, monitor, and treat medical conditions. MLTs conduct clinical testing in areas such as chemistry, hematology, immunohematology (blood bank), microbiology, urinalysis, and molecular diagnostics.

It is estimated that 70% of all medical diagnoses are based on clinical lab results, which makes this profession essential and impactful for patients in our community.

Success in the field requires attention to detail, strong critical thinking skills, and the ability to accurately perform complex laboratory procedures. MLTs rely on solid communication and problem-solving skills, as well as a high level of integrity and professionalism.

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CCC’s MLT curriculum will focus on the mathematical and scientific principles related to specimen collection, lab testing, quality assurance, and the reporting and interpretation of results from tests involving tissues, blood and body fluids. Graduates of CCC’s MLT program will be eligible to sit for the American Society of Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC) exam for Medical Lab Technicians. This exam is widely recognized as the gold standard credential in the profession and is valued by employers.

The MLT program may be an excellent fit for students who enjoy science, chemistry and biology, and who want to work in healthcare but prefer minimal patient interaction and a laboratory environment.

The College is seeking accreditation for the program from the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.

Anyone interested in learning more about the proposed program should contact the Program Coordinator Beverly Berry, MA, MLS (ASCP), at 704-669-4328 or berryb057@clevelandcc.edu. She can answer questions, discuss career pathways, and help prospective students identify prerequisites they may need to prepare for the program.

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This is a press release by Cleveland Community College.