Since then, inquiries into the MT program have gone up 35 percent and the amount of applicants has shot up 15 percent. CLMA is developing a plan to help laboratory managers market the value of certified laboratory personnel to hospital administrators. We need to make hospital administrators aware of how valuable professional, well-trained clinical laboratory workers are to the institution and to quality patient care. The ASCP Board of Registry's focus is collecting and coordinating data. Professional groups need, too, to continue to expand the definition of qualified candidates, Dr. Ward-Cook says.
College graduates can learn on the job and then pursue their certification.
Financing for education is a priority for all laboratory groups, but it's too large a problem for any society to handle alone. We may get financing from the government or private organizations or both. Introduced in May, the Medical Laboratory Personnel Shortage Act of 2001, or HR 1948, would expand the National Health Service Corps scholarship and loan repayment program to medical technologists and MLTs. The ASCP provided direction in developing the content of the bill. We're suggesting that the authorization for funding for this program be increased and a focus added on the laboratory professions.