What is Medical Lab Technology?
Learn from the Program Director, herself, Rochelle Helminski.
Q&A
Q: How long have you been directing the MLT program?
A: I have been the program director for the MLT program for 4 years.
Q: Have you taught any courses in the MLT program? If so, which is your favorite?
A: My favorite class is urinalysis and body fluid analysis because it is like playing detective under the microscope with every specimen and my second favorite course is clinical microbiology.
Q: What would you tell a student about the this program if they said they were considering choosing it as a major?
A: This program prepares students for performing and analyzing laboratory testing in the clinical lab environment. There is a huge amount of work in the program, most students spend countless hours studying, but it is worth it, knowing that your career will be spent helping patients.
Q: Tell me about one of your favorite experiences or favorite instructors/students in the MLT course.
A: My favorite part of the program is toward graduation, when students are telling me about the job offers they have received and seeing how excited the students are to begin their new careers.
Q: Why do you like this program and would you recommend it?
A: This is a great program and field for people who are interested in healthcare but do not want to experience direct patient contact. The medical lab is the science behind the medicine that is being practiced on a daily basis throughout the country. Once accepted into the program, students can graduate in just 16 months and begin their new profession.
Q: What are your goals for the future of the MLT program?
A: My goals for the future of the program expanding into more rural parts of Arizona to help address the critical shortage of medical lab professionals in rural Arizona.