North Arkansas College's online Medical Laboratory Technology program was recognized as the no. 3 online program of its kind in the nation, according to Sherry Gibbany, the program director.

The college's Gibbany appeared on KHOZ's "Around The Table" Thursday to talk about the program. She said the program equips students with the knowledge to perform lab tests. That includes infection detection and more. The local college offers a medical laboratory technology (MLT) program equipping students to launch into the field

Gibbany explained that students gain a deep understanding of diseases and the necessary lab testing. The nature of lab tech work is behind-the-scenes. Also, she said that the department teaches phlebotomy.

Gibbany said patients see phlebotomists, but they don't see medical laboratory technologists. Her background is in lab work.

Gibbany launched her lab tech career at North Arkansas Regional Medical Center (NARMC) in February of 1979. In 1995, she started teaching science full-time at the college. Later, in 2005, she stepped into the position of medical laboratory technology program director.

Today the program director said that the school's program addresses the shortage of medical workers. Gibbany said the online version of the program specifically has boomed. She attributed that to a need for more techs.

The program, she said, comes down to this: there aren't enough techs nationwide. Additional information is online. More was discussed on the broadcast.

The full interview with Gibbany is on the "Around The Table" Facebook Page.