As demand for medical laboratory scientists grows, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is preparing students for the critical health care profession through a program that reports a 100% employment rate within one year of graduation.
The John A. Burns School of Medicine’s Medical Technology Program has trained medical laboratory scientists since 1946. Their behind-the-scenes work helps physicians diagnose patients and determine treatment.
“Our students work in labs, and they run the tests that assist physicians with diagnosing patients. They actually look at cells, look at bacteria under a microscope, and a whole host of other things,” said program director Rhena Singh. “About 70% of medical decisions rely on test results produced by medical labs and the people that run medical labs are our students, our alumni.”
Singh said career prospects are strong as medical laboratory scientists nationwide continue to retire.
“The job outlook for our students is excellent,” Singh said. “We have a 100% employment rate so every single one of our students gets a job within one year of graduating.”
Small program, strong connections
The program also connects students with local industry leaders and alumni, including through its annual open house, to encourage networking and mentorship.
For student Sandy Liang, a 2025 UH Mānoa graduate, working as a lab assistant introduced her to the profession.
“I’ve always known that I wanted to work in the medical field and I knew I loved the lab but honestly, I did not know about med tech until I started working as a lab assistant,” Liang said.
The two-year bachelor’s degree program currently has 30 students, is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences and is the only medical technology program in the state. Enrollment is expected to expand with the relaunch of an online program in fall 2027.
Liang hopes to use her training to build a career in Hawaiʻi.
“It’s home, you know? I don’t want to have to leave. I want to live here. I want to stay here. I want to help the people here,” Liang said.
