Coming Soon: Medical Lab Technician Program

Cleveland Community College plans to launch a new Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program to help meet the growing need for skilled laboratory professionals in our region. Pending approval by the North Carolina Community College System and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), CCC plans to begin offering courses in fall 2026. The associate degree program will complement CCC’s existing health sciences programs and expand opportunities for students seeking rewarding careers in healthcare.

Medical Lab Technicians play a vital behind-the-scenes role in patient care by performing laboratory tests that help physicians diagnose, monitor, and treat medical conditions. MLTs conduct clinical testing in various areas, including chemistry, hematology, immunohematology (blood banking), microbiology, urinalysis, and molecular diagnostics.

It is estimated that 70% of all medical diagnoses are based on clinical laboratory results, making this profession essential and impactful for patients in our community. Success in the field requires attention to detail, strong critical thinking skills, and the ability to perform complex laboratory procedures accurately and with precision. MLTs rely on solid communication and problem-solving skills, as well as a high level of integrity and professionalism.

CCC’s MLT curriculum will focus on the mathematical and scientific principles related to specimen collection, lab testing, quality assurance, and the reporting and interpretation of results from tests involving tissues, blood and body fluids. Graduates of CCC’s MLT program will be eligible to sit for the American Society of Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC) exam for Medical Lab Technicians. This exam is widely recognized as the gold standard credential in the profession and is valued by employers.

The MLT program may be an excellent fit for students who enjoy science, chemistry, and biology, and who want to work in healthcare but prefer a laboratory environment with minimal patient interaction.

The College is seeking accreditation for the program from the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.

Anyone interested in learning more about the proposed program should contact the Program Coordinator, Beverly Berry, MA, MLS (ASCP), at 704-669-4328 or berryb057@clevelandcc.edu. She can answer questions, discuss career pathways, and help prospective students identify prerequisites they may need to prepare for the program.

Meet Beverly Berry

I am a resident of Burke County and have been married to my husband Mark for 35 years. We have two adult sons. Our family shares a strong commitment to healthcare careers. My husband and oldest son both hold degrees in medical laboratory science and currently work in the field, while my youngest son has a master’s degree in public health.

My educational background includes an Associate of Applied Science in Medical Laboratory Technology from Western Piedmont Community College (WPCC), a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from Western Carolina University, and a master’s degree in Higher Education from Appalachian State University.

I worked in the clinical laboratory field for over 20 years, gaining experience across all areas and serving as the Hematology Department Supervisor at Caldwell Memorial Hospital. Later, I transitioned into education, beginning as an instructor and then serving as Program Coordinator at WPCC. Under my leadership, the MLT program at WPCC was reaccredited for a 10-year term by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), the maximum term that the agency awards.

I also served as Dean of Health and Human Services at WPCC and later as Dean of Health Sciences at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (CCC&TI). I continue to provide professional service as a NAACLS volunteer, serving as an accreditation self-study reviewer.

My passion for science and a desire to help others led me to a career in Medical Laboratory Technology. The profession has been both rewarding and exciting for me as a laboratory professional and as an educator. I am deeply committed to teaching students and helping them achieve their dreams in the medical laboratory science profession.

In addition to teaching students, I enjoy program evaluation, data analysis, and strengthening MLT programs to ensure success for students, healthcare facilities, and the community. I believe that accurate laboratory test results are a vital component of quality healthcare and community well-being.

I am excited to be a part of the launch of the new MLT program at Cleveland Community College!