From left are medical technology students Abbey Basford, Amanda Ledgerwood, Maame-Esi Aggrey, Michele Harms, program director; and Kyle Jordan, program coordinator. Not pictured are Zacheriah Roberts, Emily Dillenburg and Stephanie Bress. Submitted photo

Officials announced that the Medical Laboratory Science Program at UPMC Chautauqua WCA received 10-year reaccreditation, the highest achievable certification from the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences for being in compliance with the Standards of Accredited Educational Program for the Medical Laboratory Scientist.

The agency is an independent nonprofit accrediting agency ensuring the quality and integrity of educational programs that prepare professionals to work in the laboratory.

“The accreditation process set forth by NAACLS is laborious, yet extremely valuable,” said Michele Harms, program director. “We are proud that our program is recognized for the caliber of education that our students receive and pleased that we fulfill our pursuit to provide the workforce with high-quality health care professionals.”

“These achievements are only the minimum standards of performance in our eyes,” said Dr. William A. Geary, pathologist and medical director of the UPMC Chautauqua WCA Clinical Laboratory. “The specific performance in serving patients’ and physicians’ needs is a daily measure of value that remains our focus.”

The UPMC Chautauqua WCA Medical Laboratory Science Program is staffed by two board certified pathologists, quality educators, and more than 70 laboratory technologists, technicians, and health care and support professionals.

“As the world of health care becomes more complex, career opportunities expand,” Harms said. “Qualified individuals are able to find a job in nearly every state in the country. Medical technologists are employed in hospitals, independent laboratories, research facilities, public health organizations, doctors’ offices, food and drug manufactures, and so much more. Medical technologists can branch off into many other fascinating careers including fertility, research, forensics, technical specialists, histologists and more.”

The UPMC Chautauqua WCA Medical Laboratory Science Program is an accredited, 45-week, program offering intensive study and clinical experience in medical laboratory science as the final year of a bachelor’s degree. The classroom-based and hands-on clinical education is designed to develop a responsible and competent laboratory professional who will be prepared to pass an examination required for national certification as a medical laboratory scientist.