The National Certification Agency (NCALP) (CE)

Due to recertification requirements, employer personnel policy, and laboratory licensure requirements, participation in a continuing education (CE) program of some sort is necessary. But should that be the only reason - simply to fulfill an obligation? “There is so much to be gained, both personally and professionally, from enthusiastically taking part in CE, and there are many CE activities that take a minimal amount of time and are either free or fairly inexpensive.”-Mollie George, MT(ASCP) Employee participation in CE is definitely noticed. The employee interested in his or her professional development will probably be the one who is asked to head a committee or will be considered more seriously for a promotion. “Participation
in CE opportunities looks good on your resume as well. It is a reflection of your interest in your profession and is usually a good indicator of your level of commitment to the job.”- Candi Ziegler, CLS Many states have enacted licensure laws specifying the education, training and professional certification of laboratory professionals .In addition, several states have mandated the number of CE credits one must have to renew one's license . The laws regarding licensure are periodically updated. To fulfill these requirements, certification through a national agency may be required. “Before you decide to pay for a particular CE program, it is important to check whether the credits awarded by the program will be accepted by your certifying agency, state board, or employer.”-Rebecca Johnson, MLT(ASCP).

American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) Founded in 1922, the ASCP is a not-for-profit medical society representing pathologists, pathology residents, medical technologists, medical technicians, medical students, as well as other laboratory personnel. ASCP currently offers more than 500 CE programs per year, including workshops, teleconferences, national meetings, and educational courses. A program entitled "Lectures online," teleconference lectures that are transmitted over the Internet. This pilot program allows you to preview teleconference lectures with the stipulation that you fill out an evaluation form about the experience. The Board of Registry of ASCP has established a voluntary program to allow medical laboratory professionals to demonstrate their continued competence in the field. The "Continuing Competence Recognition" program is designed for professionals and provides 3 pathways in which to demonstrate their abilities: by computer exam, through documentation of 60 hours of acceptable CE within the past 5 years, or by completion of a Board of Registry on-site competence assessment form with their employer.

American Medical Technologists (AMT) The American Medical Technologists is a not-for-profit organization established in 1939 that issues national certification credentials to clinical laboratory professionals, while the American Medical Technologists Institute for Education (AMTIE) offers CE opportunities. CE credits can be earned by reading AMT journal articles appearing in the quarterly supplement and completing the accompanying test, or by attending various educational programs, workshops, or sessions at AMT local and national meetings. A selection of home study units also has been approved for CE credit. AMT requires medical technologists and technicians to complete 15 contact hours per year.
American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB) Associate Member Section In March 1999, an announcement regarding the merger of the American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB) and the International Society for Clinical Laboratory Technology (ISCLT) was released. The new structure established the AAB Associate Member Section (formerly the ISCLT) and the AAB Board of Registry (formerly the ISCLT Credentialing Commission). The AAB Board of Registry certifies qualified clinical laboratory technologists, technicians, and physician office laboratory technicians. Since its organization in 1962, the AAB Board of Registry has permitted individuals to qualify through a combination of formal education, training, and experience. Individuals who pass the AAB Board of Registry examination must complete a minimum of 1 year of full-time work experience in a laboratory at the level at which they have received their credentials. New graduates with no work experience are given a "provisional" certification. This interim certification is continued until documentation is received from the laboratory director attesting to the certificant's competent performance for a minimum period of 1 year. Certificants are encouraged to participate in the AAB Board of Registry's continuing education program. Under this program, those individuals who document at least 12 contact hours of continuing education in a calendar year will be certified "with commendation" the following renewal period.
National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCALP)
Formerly known as the National Certification Agency (NCA), the NCALP is a voluntary, not-for-profit organization that has certified medical laboratory personnel since 1977.
NCALP offers certification in a variety of classifications including phlebotomist, clinical laboratory supervisor , clinical laboratory scientist (CLS), clinical laboratory technician (CLT), as well as several specialist categories. Certification is valid for a period of 3 years. NCALP supports the concept of recertification as a mechanism to assess continued competence in the certified category. Recertification is achieved in one of two ways: (1) submission of documentation of approved continuing education in the past 3 years or (2) re-examination. After submitting the proper documentation, individuals are recredentialed for a period of 3 years. A broad range of educational and professional activities are accepted for recertification. The recertification fee is $50, and 36 contact hours are required for each 3-year
period.
The American Association of Clinical Chemistry (AACC)
The American Association of Clinical Chemistry (AACC) offers self-study courses designed to give laboratory professionals an opportunity to expand their knowledge in the field of laboratory medicine. Each course includes objectives, written text with charts, tables, references, and an open-book exam. Fifteen hours of CE credit will be awarded to those who score 80% on a post-course exam. The cost is $100 for the self-study course materials and $60 for the exam packet. Other resources
In addition to the programs offered through the national certification agencies, a number of alternative continuing education resources offer laboratorians flexibility in terms of time, location, and cost:
Internet. The Internet provides a convenient, cost-effective, and interesting way to participate in CE. There are a number of sites that provide programs, many of which are eligible for CE credit, and more opportunities become available daily. For those who are Internet-savvy, it is worth the time spent "browsing" for new options, as this form of CE can be done from the comfort of your home or office and is a good way to get comfortable with computer technology.
Journal sources. Trade journals and professional society publications provide us with a convenient, inexpensive method of obtaining CE credit. Because these publications are mailed to our homes or offices, we are required simply to read the articles, complete the examination forms, and submit these forms along with a fee to the sponsoring organization.
National/regional meetings and workshops.
National and regional meetings, sponsored by professional societies as well as other organizations, bring a variety of educational workshops to a single location. They provide an avenue for peer networking, interaction with industry experts, as well as an excellent opportunity to obtain CE credits.
Audiocassettes. "In-service Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Science," by Oak Stone Publishing, is a monthly audiocassette CE program sponsored by the ASCLS. Formats are available for individual use or for groups of as many as 6 participants. Topics presented include regulatory compliance, reproductive endocrinology, and CPT coding. The price for individuals is approximately $235 per year and for groups of as many as 6, $375 per year.
Phone Home study. The Colorado Association for Continuing Medical Laboratory Education, Inc., (CACMLE) offers a variety of continuing education programs geared for individual as well as group instruction. Thirty-six home study courses covering blood banking, chemistry, hematology, immunology, management, and microbiology are currently offered. Continuing education credit is given to those who score 80% on a post-course
exam. Audio/teleconferences. Audio and teleconferences offer a convenient way to participate in CE programs and earn continuing education credits without requiring rime away from work. Most often presented for a group of laboratorians at their place of employment, audio/teleconferences are sent via phone lines and enhanced with slides and/or written lecture material. Why do clinical laboratorians participate in continuing education activities?
* To optimize our value to our present employer in this era of reengineering
* To keep our licensure or professional certification current
* To acquire/maintain proficiency in specialty areas
* To acquire information about new developments (legislative, technical, managerial)
* To satisfy our personal intellectual curiosity
* To enhance our marketability. Most acknowledge the personal benefits derived from CE: Becoming academically challenged, which, in turn, leads to a more interesting work day and high morale. The lab as a whole also benefits from individual staff development. “The knowledge one person acquires -- shared with colleagues -- can be put into good practice to enhance lab services.” -Jo Plinsky (Human Resources Director )

WORKS SITED:

http://www.mlo-online.com www.ascp.org www.cap.org www.amt1.com www.aab.org www.aacc.org Lab Medicine: Vol. 41 No. 7
“CE Update” pg. 429- Ali Elbireer, Alicia R. Gable, J. Brooks Jackson

Mollie George, MT(ASCP)
Rebecca Johnson, MLT(ASCP)
Jo Plinsky, Human Resources Director
Candi Ziegler, CLS