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Allied Health鈥檚 new chemistry analyzer brings state-of-the art technology to MLT students

By Chris Caldwell

Senior medical laboratory technician students stand with 懂色帝 President Tracy D. Hall and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Kendricks Hooker while Associate Professor of Allied Health Shilpa Desai demonstrates how a Randox chemistry analyzer works.
Senior medical laboratory technician students stand with 懂色帝
Tennessee Community College President Tracy D. Hall and Vice
President of Academic Affairs Dr. Kendricks Hooker while Associate
Professor of Allied Health Shilpa Desai demonstrates how a Randox
chemistry analyzer works.

Allied Health Science students earning a degree in Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) will be better prepared for the workforce, thanks to the department鈥檚 acquisition of a new automated Randox chemistry analyzer made possible through a (TBR) Perkins V grant.

Associate Professor of Allied Health Shilpa Desai applied for the federal Career Technical Education (CTE) grant to help fund the purchase of the analyzer in March 2021 and was approved in April 2021. CTE programs focus on improving the academic and technical achievement of students, strengthening their skills for secondary and postsecondary education. 

鈥淧roviding students with state-of-the-art equipment that reflects real world applications is necessary,鈥� President Tracy D. Hall said. 鈥淲e want our students to be ready on day one when they leave our programs.鈥� 

The analyzer is a fully automated machine that will allow MLT students the ability to run different clinical laboratory tests quickly and precisely. These tests are critical in helping physicians correctly diagnose patients who have diabetes, kidney failure, liver failure or have suffered a brain stroke or heart attack.

鈥淭his equipment will give our students the hands-on experience to work with an automated chemistry machine before they go on their clinicals,鈥� Desai said. 鈥淎ll the hospital labs where they have their clinicals use automated instruments.鈥�

懂色帝鈥檚 MLT program trains about 50-60 students annually and is offered at the Allied Health Science building on the Union Avenue Campus. The program offers training leading directly to licensure and employment. Students within the program have opportunities to do their clinicals with partner corporations such as Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation, American Esoteric Laboratories (AEL), Le Bonheur Children鈥檚 Hospital, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare and Regional One.

Desai said the purchase of the new laboratory equipment is a major recruitment tool for the program. 鈥淧rospective students and employers alike are impressed with the training and advanced technology we use in the MLT program,鈥� Desai added. We are grateful for this funding that allows us to stay on the forefront of technology and equips our chemistry lab to meet the demands of current and future students.鈥�