Educating lab students for 75 years
This year, the Sacred Heart School of Medical Technology celebrates its 75th anniversary. The program continues to thrive, accepting 50 percent more students this year than just six years ago.
The success of the accredited program is a result of “the longstanding legacy of the Sisters of Providence who were committed to education as well as health care,” says Cynthia Hamby, program director.
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Paul Carbaugh, a graduate
turned employee. |
Since 1932, the School of Medical Technology has graduated nearly 700 students, 50-70 percent of whom stay at Sacred Heart Medical Center or its partner, Pathology Associates Medical Laboratories (PAML), for employment.
While Sacred Heart technically sponsors the program, PAML and the Inland Northwest Blood Center contribute resources and learning opportunities for practical experience. These strong connections—as well as dedicated faculty and constantly updated technologies—contribute to the School’s success.
“It is a rigorous program with excellent outcomes,” says Cynthia. “The graduates excel on their board exams and are heavily recruited throughout the country.”
According to the American Society for Clinical Pathology, the number of certified medical technologist graduates in 1980 was 6,340; in 2006, this number dropped to a mere 1,920. Hoping to capitalize on the nationwide shortage of medical technologists, Sacred Heart plans to expand its lab, admitting more applicants and beginning videoconferencing classes with other Providence hospitals.
The School of Medical Technology is one of only three medical technology schools left in Washington. Due to the shortage of laboratory scientists, the school has initiated affiliation agreements with Eastern Washington University and Montana State University. Rather than completing four years at a university followed by one year at the hospital program, students from these two colleges can spend the fourth year of their undergraduate program at the School of Medical Technology. Upon completion, the student has a bachelor’s degree from his or her home institution and is eligible to become board certified in medical technology. The program hopes to extend this relationship to other area universities as well.
Medical technology students gain experience and knowledge through two main components: student lab and clinical rotations. The student lab usually spans the first four months of school, complete with lectures, practical labs and microscope work at PAML.
Bethine Payne, a faculty member for 20 years, says, “I put a lot of pressure on myself to make the lectures interesting because my students depend on the information for passing the board exams. Not only that, but I hope they will see how truly interesting their career will be.”
During clinical rotations, students learn different areas of lab work, like microbiology, hematology, chemistry, molecular diagnostics, blood banking and virology. They also learn to interact with patients and other health care professionals during phlebotomy rounds in which they draw blood for patients’ necessary lab work.
“It’s a rewarding mix of science, technology and health care,” says Cynthia.
In addition to the strong educational and technological resources the school offers, the rapport between faculty and students is invaluable. A large number of graduates elect to stay on at Sacred Heart after passing their board exams, including recent graduate Holly Berg, who says, “I witnessed firsthand the incredible community here, in the course of my studies.”
“I love it here,” Paul Carbaugh, another recent graduate adds.
The relationships between faculty and students encourage an environment of learning.
Faculty member Mary Tyllia confessed that she cried at graduation. “The best part,” she says, “is seeing how you are contributing to the future.”
For information, visit www.shmclab.org or call (509) 474-3339.
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