Blogs

Arguments for AACC to Reconsider Their Stance for a DCLS to Serve as a High-Complexity Lab Director

By Daniella McCurdy posted 12-13-2022
On July 26, 2022 the CMS opened up comments regarding the docket CMS-2022-0119-0001. This CMS proposal discusses adding a definition for “doctoral degree” in 493.2 for the purposes of high complexity laboratory director (HCLD) qualifications. Board certification by a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) approved certifying body is a requirement for HCLD qualification. The American Association of Clinical Chemistry (AACC) is one of the nine board certifying bodies listed by the HHS. 1 The AACC voiced opposition to including the Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) in the definition. The AACC is a reputable certifying body that shares the ...

2022 ASCLS Indiana-Kentucky Collaborative Laboratory Conference

By Daniella McCurdy posted 12-13-2022
Originally Posted 10-30-2022 14:13 For those of us fortunate enough to attend this year's laboratory conference at Good Samaritan Hospital's Hedde Hall or virtually, there was plenty of knowledge exchanged, camaraderie built and foundations for the future of clinical lab science in Indiana extended. The April chill may still have been in the air Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9 but the MLSs, educators, students, lab managers and experts received the conference information warmly. ASCLS-IN' president, Biz Fisher first introduced George Fritsma, MS, the author of the Fritsma Factor blog and the opening speaker. Delving into his wonderfully named ...

Check Out the Latest Issue of ASCLS Today!

By Christina Camillo posted 11-25-2022
Check out the latest issue of ASCLS Today! ASCLS-Maryland Board member, Dr. Diane Davis authored an important article titled " The Importance of Accurate Laboratory Reference Intervals for Transgender Patients " You can read the article at the following link: https://ascls.org/the-importance-of-accurate-laboratory-reference-intervals-for-transgender-patients/ And you can read all of the current ASCLS Today articles here: https://ascls.org/ascls-today/ Enjoy!

Take Action! Contact your Representatives in Congress!

By Christina Camillo posted 11-16-2022
From the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science: We've all had enough politics right now, but we have a small opportunity to have a potentially large impact on the financial environment for clinical laboratories in the United States . It will take swift, strong, and forceful action on the part of the clinical laboratory community. Congress has come back for its "lame duck" session, and key committees are actively considering the Saving Access to Laboratory Services Act (SALSA) (S.4449/H.R.8188). It would replace the draconian reimbursement cuts and reporting requirements of PAMA and has bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. What ...

Register and come to the LAST IMSS conference, Oct. 6-9, 2022, in beautiful Jackson, WY!

By Catherine Mc Nary posted 09-13-2022
REGISTER NOW! One Last Time! Intermountain States Seminar OCTOBER 6-8, 2022 59 th Annual Education Conference, Scientific Assemblies, Exhibitor Expo, Socials and Silent Auction for the Region 8 Leadership Academy for Medical Laboratory Science Professionals Join us this Fall for LAST IMSS conference in Jackson, WY! One More Time! All the details and links to registration on the website, http://asclsregion8/IMSS/ Don’t miss this one! Snow King Hotel and Resort 400 East Snow King Avenue | PO Box 3520 Jackson, Wyoming 83001 Keynote by Dr. Michael Astion, “Turning Adversity into Quality in the Clinical Laboratory” General Sessions topics include ...

How You Can Help! CMS Proposed Rule Commenting Period is Ending Soon!

By Christina Camillo posted 08-21-2022
To my Fellow Laboratory Professionals in Maryland: You may or may not be aware that, as part of a large update to personnel regulations, enforcement and fees, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) have proposed a rule that would allow those who hold a bachelor's degree in nursing to perform high complexity testing. Affecting the outcome of this issue will take some time to read and an effort to respond. But it is critical that you do so! ASCLS, other laboratory groups, and virtually every laboratory professional understands how this change would harm patients, and we as a community need to convince CMS to remove this language before it ...

Open Clinical Coordinator Position at the University of Minnesota

By Donna Spannaus-Martin posted 07-12-2022
The University of Minnesota Medical Laboratory Sciences Program is seeking a Faculty Instructor/Assistant Professor in the role of Clinical Education Coordinator for the Twin Cities campus in their NAACLS accredited Clinical Laboratory Sciences program. The Clinical Education Coordinator is responsible for organizing, planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating clinical experience education courses, experiences, and activities to meet the outcomes of the program in conjunction with the Program Director, Laboratory Managers, Laboratory Supervisors and Laboratory Clinical Coordinators. This position involves management of student and program compliance with ...

Renew Before July 31!

By Christina Camillo posted 07-01-2022
We're getting closer to the end of the ASCLS membership year - if you haven't already, consider renewing and continue to receive awesome member benefits! Go to www.ascls.org/renew

Congratulations ASCLS Maryland 2022 Awardees!

By Christina Camillo posted 06-29-2022
The ASCLS Joint Annual Meeting is happening right now and last night was the annual Awards Ceremony. ASCLS-Maryland submitted the names of several individuals who won various awards in 2022! See the full list below: Membership Milestone! 60 Years as an ASCLS Maryland Member! Antons Zalans Constituent Society Member of the Year Diane Davis Omicron Sigma Karen Beck Lara Biagiotti Candice Grayson Keys to the Future Jessica Thoericht Justin Washington ESA Student Research Paper Award & ...

New Grad Resources!

By Christina Camillo posted 06-03-2022
It's graduation season and ASCLS has resources for new graduates! See the New Grad page offering information about job openings, resources, member content, and benefits: https:// ascls.org/newgrad/ Check it out!

Don't Forget to Renew!

By Christina Camillo posted 06-01-2022
Don't forget to renew your membership with ASCLS and continue to enjoy the 7 benefits of being a member! To renew, go to : www.ascls.org/renew

Time to Renew!

By Christina Camillo posted 05-21-2022
Don't forget to renew your membership with ASCLS and continue to receive the great benefits that come with being a member! Go to www.ascls.org/renew today!

Become a Delegate from Maryland!

By Christina Camillo posted 05-10-2022
Have you wanted to get more involved with ASCLS-Maryland but not sure how? Why not become a delegate (or alternate delegate) from Maryland to participate in the business of ASCLS as a whole. The term is one year. Delegate duties include: Voting in the election of the 2022-2023 officers, which occurs on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 Participating in the House of Delegates Meeting on Thursday, June 30, 2022, 10 am EDT Participating in the Mid-Year House of Delegates Meeting (tentatively scheduled for Sunday, January 15, 2023) To qualify, delegates MUST be registered for the Joint Annual Meeting (in person OR virtual) and must be members of ASCLS as ...

Time to Renew Your Membership OR Become a NEW Member!

By Christina Camillo posted 04-23-2022
It's that time of year - the time when ASCLS members are asked to renew their membership . It's also a great time of year to JOIN ASCLS if you've never been a member! Why is membership with ASCLS important for laboratorians? ASCLS is committed to creating opportunities for members to connect, learn, and contribute as a community of laboratorians. It has become clear over these past two years that forming connections with others and feeling a sense of community is essential to our well-being. ASCLS plays an integral role in creating connections and building community among medical laboratory professionals. What are the benefits of ASCLS membership? ...

First Annual Joint Spring Meeting ASCLS Del-Mar-VA-DC

By Christina Camillo posted 04-17-2022
Join us for our Joint Virtual Annual Spring Meeting on April 23, 2022, 9:00 am - 3:30 pm When: Saturday, April 23, 2022, 9 - 3:30 pm (Eastern Time) Where: Virtual Zoom meeting - Zoom links will be provided to registered participants before the meeting date. Registration Fees: ASCLS Members: $25 Non-Members: $35 Students – ASCLS members: $8 Students – non-ASCLS members: $10 To register, visit: ascls-va.org/registration Joint Virtual Annual Spring Meeting Agenda 9:00 - 9:15 - Welcome from ASCLS-DE, ASCLS-MD, ASCLS-VA, and ASCLS-CAS(DC) 9:15 - 10:15 - Opening Keynote Presentation (PACE 1 credit): Medical Laboratory Concerns in the Transgender ...

The Need for Recognition - A Student Perspective

By Heather Herrington posted 03-09-2022
By Katelyn Farrar, Clinical Diagnostic Science - Undergraduate Student When questioned about the different professions in health care, it’s likely that the majority of individuals would simply answer, “physicians or nurses”. Where do laboratory professionals fall in the healthcare pantheon? Why are professionals in our field so often overlooked? What needs to change for us to garner more recognition in healthcare? As a student, one of the most consistently asked questions I receive about my major is, “What is a Medical Laboratory Scientist?” or “What does a Medical Laboratory Scientist do ?”. These questions are expected as the laboratory profession ...

Open Faculty Position at the University of Minnesota

By Donna Spannaus-Martin posted 02-02-2022
Open Faculty Position Announcement Tenure or tenure track faculty member: Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor position (Job Code 9403) (Job ID# 345706) The University of Minnesota Medical Laboratory Sciences Program is seeking a full-time tenure or tenure track faculty member for the Twin Cities campus in their NAACLS accredited Medical Laboratory Sciences program. The position requires instruction and guidance of students, participation in curriculum and program development, engagement in quality improvement and advocacy, as well as curricular, recruitment, scholarship, and service activities in execution of the MLS Program mission. Duties and Responsibilities ...

Labvocates Unite

By Heather Herrington posted 11-13-2021
By Stephanie Noblit, Esq., MLS (ASCP)CM What does it take to be an advocate for the clinical laboratory or a “labvocate” as we like to say in ASCLS? Honestly, not much. You do not need to know the regulatory process by heart or understand every minute detail in a piece of legislation. All you need is a passion for the laboratory and a story. On October 25, labvocates from around the country gathered together both in person in Alexandria, VA and virtually for the annual ASCLS Legislative Symposium. We spent Monday learning about the issues currently facing the clinical laboratory from a variety of experts. Then on Tuesday we took our message to Capitol Hill ...

AP's Acting Out In DC

By Jessica Lawless posted 10-25-2021
Night walk around DC!

Stuck Between a Vax and a Hard Place

By Heather Herrington posted 10-11-2021
By Ogechi Ohaeto, MT Imagine being a brand new technologist working by yourself in the middle of a global pandemic. And you are the one in charge of the most important test at the moment - SARS-CoV-2. Your training was rushed and every positive result causes you to panic, wash your hands, and change your gloves. Your coworkers are miserable and quitting to go work at other facilities because of the mandatory overtime your director has implemented, but only for those in the Microbiology Department. This was my life in 2020, and I ended up being one of the coworkers who eventually dropped down to PRN, then left to go to another facility where I felt ...