Personal Experiences Inspire Thoren to Pursue MLT Career

Emilie Jenson, Public Information Office
5/29/2024

Jessica Thoren – Emmetsburg, IA MLT Student

Jessica Thoren knew before she ever enrolled in school that she wanted to work in the medical field.

It was a personal experience that was her main draw.

“I was my mom’s caregiver through an illness,” she said. “That drew me toward the medical field.”

Thoren first completed a medical assistant program and spent 10 years working in the business office of a medical facility. She had some experience with laboratory through medical assisting and the education that came along with that program.

“I wasn’t really sure in the medical assistant program that I would even like lab, but I absolutely fell in love with it,” said Thoren. “I was drawn to it and always said ‘someday I will do this,’ especially after COVID, I really felt the pull to further my education in the lab.”

Thoren enrolled in the Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) Program at Iowa Central in 2022 and has enjoyed the experience of learning the ins and outs of laboratory work.

“The program is intense, but if you do the work, you will succeed,” she said. “It’s amazing the things you learn about the body and how it works.”

The MLT Program teaches real-word skills through hands-on lessons and testing.

“You test on all of the steps of areal lab test in class,” said Thoren. “We learn the processes and why things happen and why the body is doing what it is doing. I like putting the pieces together to help people get those answers and you will use what you learn here when out working in a lab.”

Thoren completed her clinicals at Spencer Hospital, which she said she went into with confidence from the instruction she received at Iowa Central.

“Amber and Shawna do a great job of sharing real-world perspective and their own experiences with you,” said Thoren. “They truly care about the students and want you to succeed.”

Upon graduation from the program and passing boards, Thoren plans to work as a medical laboratory technician in the Emmetsburg or Spencer area.