Volume 69 - Spring / Summer 1998	Download

An additional focus for NAACLS: clinical assistant by Olive M. Kimball, EdD Executive Director

The changes in healthcare continue to provide a challenge for laboratory educators to educate for multiple roles in diverse settings. A workforce is needed that can adapt to the environment, but educators must assure standardization of abilities. For 25 years, NAACLS has played a major role in assuring such standardization and has now taken on an additional focus.

After nearly four years of research, after numerous open hearings and much written comment, after countless hours of committee effort, the NAACLS Board of Directors approved the Standards and Competencies for an Approved Program for the Clinical Assistant. A process is now in place for initial approval of existing programs.

Clinical Assistant (CA) is the term NAACLS uses to designate a formally prepared worker, what some may call a multiskilled person. While the major focus is now on support for the laboratory, it is expected to be an evolving role. Provision of services by the CA is at a level that does not approach the level of a CLT/MLT practitioner. Education or training for this worker is at a post-secondary level, but historically such training was at the job site.

In a Preamble to the Standards and Competencies, the following statement defines the objective and rationale behind this new NAACLS focus:

In accordance with its mission, NAACLS provides leadership in fostering innovative educational approaches and in actively supporting cooperative efforts with other agencies. NAACLS encourages employers to formalize training programs for the Clinical Assistant using this approval process. NAACLS also supports the addition of thid approved Clinical Assistant program to the competencies of other accredited health service programs.

The Competencies define required skills and, in addition to a Core Module, include several additional modules. The Core Module must be included in the curriculum of any program seeking approval. It includes competencies related to infection control, specimen collection and transport, vital signs, quality control protocols, and communication.

In addition to providing for the Core Module, a program may select one or more of the other modules. These include areas of Chemistry, Donor Room Collection/Screening and Component Processing, Hematology, Immunology, Microbiology and Urinalysis. A program will be approved for all modules for which Standards and Competencies are met and will be identified as a CA program with specified components.

The basic fee structure includes the Core Module plus up to three modules. For more than three modules, an additional sum is required. Fees are similar to other approval fees, although the process of review will be more complex, requiring additional reviewers and more staff time.

As is the case with other programs approved by NAACLS (i. e. , phlebotomy and cytogenetic technology), program assessment is carried out by means of document review. No site visit is required. The application process for initial approval is consistent with other NAACLS processes.

For individuals interested in initiating the approval process, an approval guide is available. It is available at the NAACLS website (http://www. mcs. net/~naacls/clinasst) as are the full Standards and Competencies. Daniel Angelucci is the assigned staff coordinator for clinical assistant programs.

Sincere thanks are due the numerous individuals who contributed written comments, attended open hearings, worked on committees, or served as special readers from ASCP and ASCLS. This was truly a cooperative effort toward innovation and was an exciting one in which to participate.

Dr. Kimball is NAACLS Executive Director

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