Volume 66 - Spring 1997	Download

Update on the approval process for clinical assistant programs by Cynthia Wells, EdD, CLS(NCA), MT(ASCP) President, Board of Directors

The development procedure to establish an approval process for clinical assistant programs is well underway. The first public hearing on the proposed Standards and Competencies was conducted at the Clinical Laboratory Educators' Conference (CLEC) in Seattle this past February. Of the approximately 300 educators in attendance at CLEC, 30+ attended the hearing and shared their expertise to improve the draft statements. Their input will be invaluable in developing the next draft, and many of the recommend-ations will be incorporated into it.

Several years ago, NAACLS conducted a Needs Assessment regarding this type of practitioner. Based on the results of the survey, we began this developmental process. The approval process will set a national standard for this practitioner and serve two purposes. First, the laboratory community will define acceptable practice parameters for the worker. Unless the laboratory community is involved, others will define the practice of this worker. I am apprehensive about other professions such as administration, nursing or respiratory therapy setting standards for persons who perform laboratory tests. Knowing our body of knowledge and the importance of high quality laboratory results, the laboratory community is best qualified to define this worker. NAACLS needs and wants your input into the program Standards and Competencies.

The second purpose of the Standards is to assure that graduates will have a defined and understood set of Competencies that will assure them some portability. The curriculum is modular allowing programs flexibility in defining the graduate's practice. To be approved, all programs will be required to address the competencies defined in the fundamental core. Then programs may "add-on" other modules as needed. As a result, graduates might be "generalists" or "single category" workers, but all will have a basic set of skills. This is similar to the way some of our CLS/MTs are certified in only one category such as chemistry or micro.

Many of you have questioned the effect of this level on our established programs. By defining the Competencies for the Clinical Assistant, we will clearly differentiate them from the CLS/MT and the CLT/MLT. As professionals, we must inform administrators and others about the differences in Competencies of these workers and the appropriate use of them in the work place.

We cannot afford to ignore this level of practice since there are programs all over the country that are educating, formally or informally, individuals at this level. Do we want them to continue without input, or do we want to mold graduates into our definition of this level? The choice is ours.

If you have not sent your comments to NAACLS, please do so. The documents are available on our web page or from the NAACLS office. Your constructive input will be instrumental in developing a final document of which we all will be proud. Comments about the first draft will be taken through June. Draft #2 will be available in early July and will form the basis for public hearings to be conducted at ASCLS (July), CLMA (August), and ASCP (September) meetings.

Dr. Wells is the President of the NAACLS Board of Directors

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