Polk County Healthcare Workforce Collaborative

04/01/2026

Here’s the answer to our trivia question for National Trivia Day: 60%! That’s right, 60% of all healthcare workers are considered Allied Health Professionals. That includes Respiratory Therapists, Medical Lab Technologists, Medical Assistants, Radiological Technologists, and more!
You can learn about these careers at PolkCountyHealthcare.org!

04/01/2026

For National Trivia Day, we have a question for everyone: What percentage of healthcare workers are Allied Health Professionals (or not a doctor or a nurse)? We’ll share the answer later today!

01/01/2026

16/12/2025

Last week we worked with UnityPoint Health to host a Hospital Tour for high school students in Central Iowa. Students had the opportunity to see behind the scenes of a variety of departments of the hospital. They ended the day with some hands-on experiences with teams from Respiratory Therapy, nurses with Labor and Delivery and the team from UnityPoint's Lab! Find more opportunities on PolkCountyHealthcare.org.

12/12/2025

That’s it for our Medical Lab Technician and Medical Lab Scientist Week! If you’re interested in hearing more about DMACC’s MLT program, keep an eye out this Spring for an upcoming Info Session on campus. If you’re interested in Mercy College of Health and Science’s MLS program, you can learn more by attending a Mercy College Campus Visit Day! Please reach out if you have any other questions to Jennifer Wagner at Jennifer@PolkCountyHealthcare.org.

12/12/2025

🌟 Career Story Highlight: Bryant Dippel 🌟
Bryant Dippel began his career in various financial call center roles before discovering his passion for healthcare as a Lab Support Technician at UnityPoint. After realizing how much he enjoyed the work, he took the next step and enrolled in the Medical Lab Technician (MLT) program at DMACC.
While in school, Bryant balanced 3–4 days a week on campus with weekend shifts at UnityPoint. Thanks to state and DMACC scholarships, he completed the entire program with zero out-of-pocket cost!
Here’s what Bryant shared about his experience:
“DMACC did an amazing job preparing me for lab work. The hands-on activities and supportive professors made all the difference. I love knowing that what I do helps doctors diagnose and treat patients more accurately—plus I enjoy working behind the scenes! No day is the same since I rotate through areas like Urinalysis, Blood Bank, Hematology, and Chemistry. I’m now pursuing my bachelor’s degree, and with UnityPoint’s tuition reimbursement, I can finish debt free.”
Bryant’s journey is a great example of how accessible—and rewarding—a career in laboratory science can be!

10/12/2025

‼️ DID YOU KNOW?!
The world of Medical Lab Technicians (MLT) and Medical Lab Scientists (MLS) is both fun and fascinating!
Up to 70% of diagnosis and treatment decisions made by medical providers come from information gathered by MLTs and MLS professionals. Their work plays a critical role in helping determine the best course of action for patients. 🔬💙
A behind-the-scenes job with a major impact!

09/12/2025

If yesterday’s Career Highlight information sparked your interest, you might be wondering where to begin! 🔬✨
A great first step for anyone considering a career in Medical Lab Technology (MLT) or Medical Lab Science (MLS) is having a passion for science—and the desire to use it to improve patient care and solve real-world problems.
You can explore both DMACC’s MLT program and Mercy College’s MLS program on our website:
👉 PolkCountyHealthcare.org/Options-at-Various-Education-Levels
Start your journey toward a meaningful, in-demand healthcare career today!

08/12/2025

🔬 Career Highlight: Medical Lab Technicians (MLT) & Medical Lab Scientists (MLS)!
Hospitals depend on these essential professionals to help guide critical decisions about diagnosis and treatment. MLTs and MLSs work behind the scenes analyzing blood and body fluids to identify diseases and provide accurate results providers rely on every day.
This career path is perfect for someone who enjoys research, investigation, computers, and hands-on technical work.
💼 Average Salaries in Iowa:
• MLT: $51,000/year
• MLS: $82,000/year
Learn more about both roles at PolkCountyHealthcare.org!

02/12/2025

As we wrap up the fall semester, it’s the perfect time to explore what’s next! 🍂📚
There are plenty of opportunities across Polk County to learn about healthcare careers and the pathways that can get you there.
Events, workshops, career days—there’s something for every future healthcare professional. 🩺✨
👉 Check out what’s coming up and get registered at PolkCountyHealthcare.org/Events!