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National Accrediting
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Laboratory Sciences
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	Volume 77 - Winter 2001	Download

President's Report

by Joeline D. Davidson, MBA, CLS(NCA), MT(ASCP)
President, Board of Directors

Joeline Davidson

NAACLS is taking an active role in issues related to the current personnel shortage. In addition to developing the Program Revitalization Document and hosting the Futures Conference, we are participating in the Summit on the Shortage of Clinical Laboratory Personnel, which was organized by and is hosted by the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS).

The purpose of the Summit is to develop and support strategies to address the personnel shortage. The unique contributions that NAACLS offers this group is the data on the numbers of active education programs, a communication link to educators, and the information from our recent Futures Conference.

The issues identified at the first meeting for strategic planning were Data Collection, Marketing, Recruitment, Financing of Education, Profession in Transition, and Cooperation. Each organization was asked to discuss with their Board the strategic issues that were identified. We were also asked to solicit the organization's support in the planning and implementation of a strategic plan to address the shortage.

The objective of the second meeting of the Summit was to develop goals and action plans for each strategic issue. The action plans must then be approved by each individual organization's Board. Following is a summary of the issues discussion and the plans of action:

Data Collection is essential to support the position vacancy rate. Organizations agreed to share the information and data collection tools that they have. The information will be collated to use for presentations to relevant groups including government agencies and industry. The American Society of Clinical Pathologists will be responsible for receiving this data from the organizations.

The discussion of the Marketing issue included topics such as the value of clinical laboratory professionals, the changing demographics, the linking with other groups marketing health fields, the anticipation of future needs versus current needs, and the visibility of the professions. The plan of action includes the development of a "field guide" for laboratory managers/directors/administrators to use that will address the cost of personnel turnover, new roles for professionals, and extending the influence of the laboratory. CLMA will coordinate this effort. It was agreed that there was a need for a forum for educators and management to exchange ideas. NAACLS was asked to assume this role because of our successful Futures Conference.

Financing Education was a huge concern, especially for educators. All the organizations will provide information regarding available scholarships and funding. NAACLS will post the listing on its web site. Information regarding scholarships and funding will be forwarded to Dr. Kimball at NAACLS. There was discussion about the need to join with other health care professionals in an umbrella organization to seek federal funding.

There was firm agreement that the laboratory professions are in a state of transition. It would be beneficial to have a well-defined scope of practice. The group saw this as an advantage and agreed that there needs to be a change in our education paradigm. This is certainly in keeping with NAACLS' strategy. No specific action plans were made for this issue.

Last was the issue of Cooperation. Each organization expressed a desire to continue the cooperative efforts of the Summit and to find solutions for the personnel shortage that affects us all.

Top of the News

A Look at the Reactivation Process
by Jane Hudson, PhD, MT(ASCP)SM, CLS(NCA)
CLSPRC Member

A Request for Nominations

Annual Fees to Increase in July
by Olive M. Kimball, EdD
Chief Executive Officer

CLS/MT and CLT/MLT Essentials Revision Process Continues
by Megan Hennessy Eggert
Meetings and Publicity Coordinator

Infusing Genetics into the Curriculum
by Mark D. Kellogg, PhD, MT(ASCP)
CLSPRC Member

NAACLS Chief Executive Officer Honored
by Joeline D. Davidson, MBA, CLS(NCA), MT(ASCP)
President, Board of Directors

President Convenes Special Task Force

Features

CEO's Corner
The Challenges of Constant Change
by Olive M. Kimball, EdD
Chief Executive Officer

Dear Dr. NAACLS
Essential 5 compliance

NAACLS Computer Update
by Mark Erickson
Computer Information Services/Program Coordinator

President's Report
by Joeline D. Davidson, MBA, CLS(NCA), MT(ASCP)
President, Board of Directors

Programs to be Site Visited
Spring/Summer 2001 Cycle



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