§ 493.1461 Standard: General supervisor qualifications. Cross Reference
Link to an amendment published at 88 FR 90043 , Dec. 28, 2023.
Cross Reference
Link to a correction published at 89 FR 6431 , Feb. 1, 2024.
The laboratory must have one or more general supervisors who, under the direction of the laboratory director and supervision of the technical supervisor, provides day-to-day supervision of testing personnel and reporting of test results. In the absence of the director and technical supervisor, the general supervisor must be responsible for the proper performance of all laboratory procedures and reporting of test results. ( a ) The general supervisor must possess a current license issued by the State in which the laboratory is located, if such licensing is required; and
( b ) The general supervisor must be qualified as a— ( 1 ) Laboratory director under § 493.1443; or
( 2 ) Technical supervisor under § 493.1449.
( c ) If the requirements of paragraph (b)(1) or paragraph (b)(2) of this section are not met, the individual functioning as the general supervisor must— ( 1 ) ( i ) Be a doctor of medicine, doctor of osteopathy, or doctor of podiatric medicine licensed to practice medicine, osteopathy, or podiatry in the State in which the laboratory is located or have earned a doctoral, master's, or bachelor's degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science, or medical technology from an accredited institution; and
( ii ) Have at least 1 year of laboratory training or experience, or both, in high complexity testing; or
( 2 ) ( i ) Qualify as testing personnel under § 493.1489(b)(2); and
( ii ) Have at least 2 years of laboratory training or experience, or both, in high complexity testing; or
( 3 ) ( i ) Except as specified in paragraph (3)(ii) of this section, have previously qualified as a general supervisor under § 493.1462 on or before February 28, 1992.
( ii ) *Exception.* An individual who achieved a satisfactory grade in a proficiency examination for technologist given by HHS between March 1, 1986 and December 31, 1987, qualifies as a general supervisor if he or she meets the requirements of § 493.1462 on or before January 1, 1994.”
( 4 ) On or before September 1, 1992, have served as a general supervisor of high complexity testing and as of April 24, 1995— ( i ) Meet one of the following requirements: ( A ) Have graduated from a medical laboratory or clinical laboratory training program approved or accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), the Commission on Allied Health Education Accreditation (CAHEA), or other organization approved by HHS.
( B ) Be a high school graduate or equivalent and have successfully completed an official U.S. military medical laboratory procedures course of at least 50 weeks duration and have held the military enlisted occupational specialty of Medical Laboratory Specialist (Laboratory Technician).
( ii ) Have at least 2 years of clinical laboratory training, or experience, or both, in high complexity testing; or
( 5 ) On or before September 1, 1992, have served as a general supervisor of high complexity testing and— ( i ) Be a high school graduate or equivalent; and
( ii ) Have had at least 10 years of laboratory training or experience, or both, in high complexity testing, including at least 6 years of supervisory experience between September 1, 1982 and September 1, 1992.
( d ) For blood gas analysis, the individual providing general supervision must— ( 1 ) Be qualified under § 493.1461(b) (1) or (2), or § 493.1461(c); or
( 2 ) ( i ) Have earned a bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy or cardiovascular technology from an accredited institution; and
( ii ) Have at least one year of laboratory training or experience, or both, in blood gas analysis; or
( 3 ) ( i ) Have earned an associate degree related to pulmonary function from an accredited institution; and
( ii ) Have at least two years of training or experience, or both in blood gas analysis.
( e ) The general supervisor requirement is met in histopathology, oral pathology, dermatopathology, and ophthalmic pathology because all tests and examinations, must be performed: ( 1 ) In histopathology, by an individual who is qualified as a technical supervisor under § 493.1449(b) or § 493.1449(l)(1);
( 2 ) In dermatopathology, by an individual who is qualified as a technical supervisor under § 493.1449(b) or § 493.1449(l) or (2);
( 3 ) In ophthalmic pathology, by an individual who is qualified as a technical supervisor under § 493.1449(b) or § 493.1449(1)(3); and
( 4 ) In oral pathology, by an individual who is qualified as a technical supervisor under § 493.1449(b) or § 493.1449(m).
[57 FR 7172, Feb. 28, 1992, as amended at 58 FR 5235, Jan. 19, 1993; 58 FR 39155, July 22, 1993; 60 FR 20049, Apr. 24, 1995]