Submitted photoPepperann Pittman (from left, front row), Tina Everett, Pamela Pilcher, and CLT Clinical Coordinator Kimberly Moye; CLT Program Director Vickie Smith (from left, back row), Erin Rich, Sara Fender, Nikki Sutton and Telissa Benton.

Southern Regional Technical College’s (SRTC) Clinical Laboratory Technology (CLT) Program held a pinning ceremony on April 26, marking the completion of the program for seven students: Telissa Benton of Pelham, Tina Everett of Thomasville, Sara Fender of Valdosta, Pamela Pilcher of Valdosta, Pepperann Pittman of Waycross, Erin Rich of Thomasville and Nikki Sutton of Valdosta. Each student graduated with an associate of applied science degree in clinical laboratory technology from SRTC. 

“Clinical laboratory technicians play an important role in the prevention and diagnosis of diseases,” said SRTC CLT program director Vickie Smith. “During the course of the program students learn to perform clinical laboratory procedures. Classroom training is integrated with clinical experiences under the medical direction of cooperating hospitals. Upon graduating and receipt of their associate of applied science degree these students will be able to work in hospitals and doctor’s offices. When working in a hospital setting the technician may work in various departments such as microbiology, hematology, blood bank, immunology and clinical chemistry. The technicians perform tests that assist the doctors in verifying the causes of an illness, making medical decisions and determining treatment choices.” 

The program is accredited by the National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. With this accreditation, graduates may sit for the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) National Certification Exam to become Certified Clinical Lab Technicians. Graduating from a NAACLS accredited program and passing the national certification is the only way someone can be employed in a clinical lab at a hospital.

Pepperann Pittman received the Ambassador Award and Tina Everett received the Highest Ranking Senior Award during the ceremony.

SRTC’s CLT program is a sequence of courses that prepares students for careers as clinical laboratory technicians. Students learn to perform clinical laboratory procedures under the supervision of a qualified pathologist and/or clinical laboratory scientist. These tests are used to detect things such as blood type, HIV-AIDS, diabetes, hepatitis, anemia, West Nile virus and much more. Throughout the program, classroom training is integrated with clinical experiences under the medical direction of cooperating hospitals.

For more information about the Clinical Laboratory Technology program, contact Smith at (229) 225-5203 or email gsmith@southernregional.edu.

SRTC offers over 148 degree, diploma, and certificate programs that are designed to get students quickly into a desired career, and 27 general education courses that transfer to the University System of Georgia institutions and 19 private colleges and universities in Georgia. SRTC has instructional sites located in Ashburn, Cairo, Camilla, Moultrie, Thomasville, Tifton, and Sylvester for the convenience of students. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). SACSCOC is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. For the most up-to-date information on registration, class dates, and program offerings, log on to www.southernregional.edu or call (888) 205 – 3449.

Summer semester 2017 begins May 18. SRTC is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia.