ROSEBURG, Ore., Feb. 3, 2025–Umpqua Community College launches a new Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) academic program in partnership with Idaho State University (ISU). Students can save with affordable tuition by completing their first two years of college at UCC before transferring to ISU to earn their bachelor’s degree. This innovative program allows students to earn a bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science while staying in their local community, creating new opportunities for career advancement in healthcare for residents of Douglas County.
Through this partnership, students will complete their academic coursework online with Idaho State University, a nationally recognized leader in Medical Laboratory Science education, while receiving hands-on clinical training at local healthcare facilities. This collaborative model ensures students gain both the theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to succeed as medical laboratory professionals without having to leave their hometowns.
Medical Laboratory Scientists are vital members of the healthcare team, performing laboratory tests that help diagnose, treat, and monitor diseases. With the growing demand for skilled professionals in this field, the new MLS program at UCC will open doors for students to pursue rewarding careers while strengthening healthcare services in rural Oregon.
According to the Roseburg VA Laboratory Management, Medical Laboratory Scientists are among some of the most difficult professionals to recruit nationwide because of the small population of candidates in this field. Roseburg is a geographically challenging location for recruitment, and this exciting venture not only affords Roseburg residents a rewarding career opportunity but also creates a pool of candidates for the Roseburg VA Laboratory, which has traditionally struggled to fill vacancies.
Roseburg VA Medical Center Director Patrick Hull stated, “Collaboration with UCC is vital for sustaining Veteran services in Roseburg. The programs Rachel has been developing help us ensure we have good, qualified candidates to fill our critical hospital and clinic vacancies. This is vital for our organization. Individuals going into the medical technology field have decreased since 2015, and it’s awesome to know that UCC has helped us fill that gap.”
“We are incredibly grateful to Idaho State University for this educational partnership and to our local healthcare partners for providing clinical training opportunities,” said UCC President, Rachel Pokrandt. “This program aligns perfectly with our mission to bring high-quality education and workforce training to the community while addressing the critical shortage of healthcare professionals in our region.”
The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis projects that the demand for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in the U.S. will increase by 19 percent by the year 2030.
Enrollment for the Medical Laboratory Science program is now open. For more information on program requirements, curriculum, and how to apply, please visit umpqua.edu/medical-lab-scientist.
