Volume 38 Number 4 | August 2024
Sarah Steinberg, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM, ASCLS Government Affairs Committee
Professional advocacy is a vital aspect of many fields. It embodies the essence of leadership, ethical commitment, and community engagement. Advocacy plays a crucial role in driving policy changes, enhancing professional standards, and improving societal outcomes. ASCLS has equipped me with the tools and skills to become a professional advocate, empowering my growth as a medical laboratory professional and leader.
Professional advocacy serves several critical functions. These include but are not limited to the following:
- Influencing Policy: In my time as a member of ASCLS, I have become an interested observer on the Government Affairs Committee (GAC), as well as the GAC representative for my state, Wyoming. As advocates, we work to promote and shape policies that impact our profession and the communities we serve. This can lead to better working conditions, improved services, and more equitable access to resources.
- Raising Awareness: Since the inception of my career in the laboratory, I have harbored a deep passion for raising awareness about the importance of the laboratory. Advocacy helps bring attention to not only issues that may be overlooked or misunderstood by the public, but to our profession as a whole. By raising awareness, advocates can mobilize support and drive change.
- Protecting Interests: As laboratory professionals, we often face challenges that require collective action to address. Advocacy helps protect the interests of professionals and ensures their voices are heard in decision-making processes. The Laboratory Legislative Symposium (now called the Labvocate Symposium) is an excellent opportunity for us to meet with our legislators and have our voices heard.
“ASCLS has equipped me with the tools and skills to become a professional advocate, empowering my growth as a medical laboratory professional and leader.”
To effectively embody professional advocacy, it’s crucial to ensure the inclusion of various key components.
- Knowledge and Expertise: Advocates must have a deep understanding of their field, including current issues, challenges, and opportunities. This knowledge base allows them to speak with authority and credibility. Participating in meetings of the GAC has provided me with invaluable insights and expertise in various areas of concern.
- Communication Skills: Advocacy requires clear, persuasive communication. Advocates must be able to articulate their positions effectively, whether through writing, public speaking, or media engagement. This can be intimidating at first, especially for new laboratorians. However, with mentorship and guidance we can all support our peers to be confident at promoting our profession and concerns.
- Persistence and Resilience: Advocacy can be a long and challenging process. Effective advocates must be persistent, resilient, and committed to their cause, even in the face of setbacks. We must be sure to follow up as we are campaigning for change.
You may be asking yourself how you can become an advocate and where to start. It is simple with the support of ASCLS. Contact a member of the GAC or the representative for your state or region.
- Stay Informed and Engaged: Regularly update your knowledge about the latest developments in medical laboratory science. Participate in ASCLS events, such as the 2024 Labvocate Symposium, September 30-October 1; read professional journals; and engage in continuing education opportunities.
- Get Involved with ASCLS Government Affairs Committee (GAC) and Political Action Committee (PAC): ASCLS provides numerous resources and opportunities for advocacy. Join ASCLS committees, attend advocacy events, and participate in lobbying efforts to support the profession.
- Be Persistent and Resilient: Advocacy requires long-term commitment. Stay motivated and persistent, even when progress is slow. Celebrate small victories and continue working towards larger goals. Know that you can reach out to your legislators and representatives at any point.
Professional advocacy is essential for medical laboratory professionals, and ASCLS is a catalyst for us all to participate in professional advocacy. By engaging in advocacy efforts, medical laboratory professionals can influence healthcare policy, raise awareness about their critical role, protect their professional interests, and promote high ethical standards. Through staying informed, developing advocacy skills, networking, and participating in legislative efforts, medical laboratory professionals can effectively advocate for our profession and contribute to the advancement of healthcare.
Sarah Steinberg is a Clinical Coordinator at Casper College in Casper, Wyoming.