ASCLS Today is the membership newsletter of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science.

To submit an article for ASCLS Today, contact Editor Debra Rodahl.

OUR ASCLS FAMILY

Kristen Croom, MLS(ASCP)CM, MB(ASCP), ASCLS Region X Director I want to start by saying a huge MAHALO to our laboratory teams working to care for our patients during this pandemic. We have seen unprecedented changes to our healthcare system and our entire way of life. Our laboratory family has the opportunity to come together and…

WRITE YOUR STORY – YOUR ASCLS FAMILY

Beth Warning, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM, AHI(AMT), ASCLS Region IV Director Linda Gorman befriended author Beth Warning at the 2001 CLEC. Through their friendship, Beth was introduced to more and more opportunities within ASCLS. At one time or another, you may have been asked why you chose ASCLS as your professional society, considering we have several from…

CAREER READINESS IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Paula Griswold, PhD, MT(ASCP), and Jessica Dolecheck, PhD Part of soft skills training, ULM College of Health Sciences faculty coordinated professional luncheons where healthcare employers and students interacted for meaningful, social connections. Photo credit: ULM Photo Services Preparing students for careers in healthcare requires competencies in technical skills and acquiring an understanding of the field…

THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF HEALTHCARE AND LABORATORY ACCREDITATIONS IN SAUDI ARABIA

Aymen Alsaihati Healthcare and laboratory practices need to implement a high-quality management system to assure patient safety and provide reliable and precise results. This, in turn, will help in providing more accurate diagnoses. “Accreditation is an effective way to demonstrate competence of the laboratory, a tool to recognize laboratories world-wide, is linked to periodical audits…

RESOURCES FOR IMPROVING PATIENT SAFETY

Courtney Shrader, MSHS, MLS(ASCP)CM, CPHQ Integrating a culture of safety into the clinical laboratory requires hard work and teamwork. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources to help healthcare professionals create or improve the safety culture provided on the ASCLS Patient Safety website. This article will highlight some of the resources available. Agency for Healthcare Research…

EDITOR’S NOTE

These are unprecedented times for laboratorians. The COVID-19 pandemic has touched us all—especially those on the frontlines. These professionals have given above and beyond as they collect specimens and perform COVID-19 test evaluations and validations and testing. Many have done this at risk to themselves and their families because of limited PPE. ASCLS acknowledges the…

VISIBILITY

Cindy Johnson, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM, ASCLS President Merriam-Webster defines visibility as the ability to see or be seen; the quality or state of being known to the public. We have been encouraged by ASCLS passionate past presidents to “Be the Face,” “Promote the Profession,” “Get Out of the Basement,” “Share Your Passion,” and “Tell Your Story.”…

VISIBILITY AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Kim Von Ahsen, MHS, MLS(ASCP)CMSLSCM, ASCLS Region VI Director Photo credit: Lewis Ogden As we started the ASCLS 2019-20 year, ASCLS President-Elect Maddie Josephs defined the word visibility in her response to the Candidate’s Question: What is missing within ASCLS or other laboratory professional organizations that limits our ability to recruit and maintain members? noun:…

HOW TO BE MORE VISIBLE

J. Eric Stanford, MHA, MLS(ASCP)CM What does “Visibility of the Profession” mean to you? If you asked someone on the street what your role is as a laboratory scientist, would they be able to answer? Across many laboratory scientists, in many labs throughout the country, the overwhelming answer to that is usually “no.” By our…

MEET THE CANDIDATES 2020

The ASCLS Nominations Committee is pleased to present the following candidates for office in the 2020-21 Society year. Candidates selected by the House of Delegates will take office during the 2020 ASCLS-AGT Virtual Joint Annual Meeting. Delegates will elect one president-elect; one director each for Regions II, IX, and X; one 2-year term member for…