BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Adventist Health Bakersfield's state-of-the-art laboratory will now be affiliated with San Jose State University and include a training facility for future clinical lab scientists.

The program will be open to Cal State Bakersfield graduates with degrees in biology or a related science.

The students will receive additional skills and online training from SJSU for eight hours a week and work alongside the lab team at Adventist Health Bakersfield for 32 hours, with hands-on training potentially leading to a permanent position.

“Local students would need to apply to SJSU and pass their rigorous selection criteria, but this is a great opportunity,” says Jose Sortijas, Adventist Health Bakersfield’s laboratory administrative director. “This program is sure to positively impact the CLS vacancies we experience in our area and lead to great jobs for the graduates – we look forward to working with these students. This is a blessing that goes both ways.”

According to Adventist Health, up to two students can begin their on-site training at Adventist Health Bakersfield’s lab each year, beginning as early this fall.

More information on the CLS training program is available by email at cls-group@sjsu.edu.