Seminole State College/Gordon Cooper Technology Center Medical Laboratory Technology students recently visited the clinical laboratory at the Chickasaw Nation Medical Center in Ada. This visit enabled students to learn more about a career in the medical laboratory technology field and to see firsthand how a laboratory operates. 

Students toured all departments of the lab and learned that clinical laboratory testing plays a crucial role in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of disease in patients. The group also gained information about specialized equipment and procedures used by MLT professionals to determine causes and cures of different types of illnesses. 

The laboratory at CNMC is affiliated with the SSC/GCTC MLT department and assists in training MLT students. They also hire graduates of the program. 

According to United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is estimated that 60 to 70 percent of all decisions regarding a patient’s diagnosis and treatment are based on laboratory test results, making the medical laboratory technology field a critical profession. MLT is considered a very versatile degree with many career opportunities and specializations. Depending on the clinical laboratory department, a MLT professional may perform tests within the areas of clinical chemistry, microbiology, hematology or the blood bank. Those interested in learning more about the SSC/GCTC MLT program should contact Program Director Malinda Browning by phone at 405-273-7493 or by email at m.browning@sscok.edu.