Parkview expands lab science training program

Parkview Health in Fort Wayne has completed the renovation of a student lab at its Randallia campus to double the number of students it is training for careers in medical laboratory science. Healthcare workers in that field analyze clinical specimens needed to make medical decisions.

The health system expanded the Parkview Medical Laboratory Science Program, allowing them to train up to 20 students per year. The program was previously limited to nine students. Parkview says it also updated its program to run lab training and classroom lectures concurrently.

The health system says the renovations will help Parkview meet the growing demand in this healthcare field.

“Medical lab science is often called the ‘stealth medical degree’ because most people think of becoming a doctor, nurse or pharmacist instead. But now is an especially exciting time to enter this lesser-known career field as we see incredible advances in science and technology, along with rapidly growing demand for more highly trained individuals,” said Brian Goff, program director, Parkview Medical Laboratory Science Program.

Goff says the program has a 100% placement rate for students upon competition.

The Parkview program was established in 1956. It’s accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.

The focus of Parkview’s program is to prepare students to pass their exams for national certification, which is required by most employers.

Parkview says no active patient samples are processed in the student lab, but it features equipment similar to that of an active lab, giving students realistic, hands-on practice on a smaller scale.