Status: RETIRED on June 30, 2022

This position paper was retired by action of the ASCLS House of Delegates on June 30, 2022. It was replaced by “Levels of Practice and Model Career Ladder” by the ASCLS House of Delegates on June 30, 2022.

The Model Career Ladder grid was developed to serve as a guideline to be used by supervisors and managers when developing a career ladder within their institution. Changes, additions, deletions, etc. should be made to reflect the needs of the organization.

Title

Education

Certification

Skills
Technician I

Entry Level

 AA or AS degree CLT

MLT

 

 
  • Focuses on skill and knowledge development
  • Consults with more experienced team members when necessary
  • Exhibits knowledge of laboratory tests, standards,
  • Exhibits basic knowledge of professional ethics, laws and regulations
  • Demonstrates entry level technician competencies
  • Produces accurate laboratory test results
  • Adheres to quality systems protocols
  • Disseminates laboratory test information in a timely manner
  • Demonstrates competency in field at least annually.
  • Membership in a professional organization
Technician II AA or AS degree CLT

MLT

 

 

 Demonstrates characteristics of Technician I plus:

  • Works efficiently under the direction of experienced personnel
  • Performs multi-functional tasks
  • Focuses on obtaining additional knowledge and skills
  • Actively participates in continuing education
  • Active membership in professional organization(s).
Technician III AA or AS degree CLT

MLT

 

 

 Demonstrates characteristics of Technician II plus:

  • Experienced and skilled technical worker
  • Demonstrates advanced knowledge and skills
  • Involved in instruction of new clinical laboratory personnel
  • Active membership and participation in professional organization(s).
Scientist I

Entry Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Bachelor’s Degree CLS

MT

 

 
  • Focuses on skill and knowledge development
  • Demonstrates entry level scientist competencies
  • Adheres to quality systems protocols
  • Involved in education of student clinical laboratory technicians/scientists
  • Consults with more experienced team members when necessary
  • Exhibits knowledge of laboratory tests and standards.
  • Exhibits basic knowledge of professional ethics, laws and regulations
  • Disseminates laboratory test information in a timely manner
  • Offers suggestions for improvement in operations
  • Monitors accuracy and precision of laboratory testing
  • Pursues continuing education and/or formal education
  • Membership in professional organization
Scientist II

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Bachelor’s degree CLS

MT

 

 

 Demonstrate characteristics of Scientist I plus:

  • Capable
  •  Interacts with other healthcare providers in a professional manner
  • Applies critical decision making skills to reach conclusions about diagnostic testing needs
  • Evaluates laboratory testing requests for appropriateness
  • Seeks mentoring for leadership
  •  Continually assesses own skills/abilities pursues continuing education and/or formal education when needed
  • Actively participates in continuing education
  • Uses evidence based criteria to interpret laboratory-testing data
  • Works independently
  • Participates in clinical research.
  • Active membership in professional organization
  • Involved in instruction of new clinical laboratory personnel
Scientist III Bachelor’s Degree CLS

MT

 

 

 

 Demonstrates characteristics of Scientist II plus:

  • Experienced
  • Knowledgeable
  • Problem solving skills well developed
  • Applies evidence based criteria to correlate and interpret laboratory testing data
  • Applies clinical research to optimize laboratory testing
  • Assumes beginning leadership role by demonstrating leadership skills in problem solving, diagnostic testing management, and conflict resolution
  • Demonstrates ability to interact effectively with healthcare team members
  • Acts as clinical laboratory consultant to other members of the healthcare team.
  • Involved in education of student clinical laboratory technicians/scientists
  •  Active membership and participation in local and state professional organization
Scientist IV

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Bachelor’s Degree CLS

MT

 

 

Specialization in one or more areas

 Demonstrates characteristics of Scientist III plus:

  • Looked to for leadership
  • Develops, performs and applies clinical research to optimize laboratory testing
  • Evaluates patient laboratory test results and suggests additional testing if necessary.
  • Supervises assigned personnel
  • Develops and implements a quality management system
  • Assumes responsibility for outcomes of the area
  •  Collaborates in submission of case studies and articles for publication.
  •  Mentors new members of the profession
  • Participates in organization wide activities (e.g. committees, taskforces, etc.)
  • Leadership role in education; designs, implements and evaluates education of new clinical laboratory personnel
  • Actively pursues advanced positions in the field
  • Active membership, participation, and leadership in national professional organization at the national level
  • Demonstrates leadership in a professional organization
Advanced Practice Scientist I

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Master’s degree CLS
MT 

Specialization in one or more areas

Characteristics of Scientist IV plus:

  •  Evaluates laboratory testing for reimbursement based on evidence based mechanism
  • Actively involved in mentoring
  • Uses clinical and other data to optimize laboratory testing
  • Counsels patients regarding the purpose and results of laboratory tests
  • Interacts with health care team in a consultative role
  • Demonstrates leadership skills in problem solving, diagnostic testing management, and conflict resolution
  •  Involved in the development of new techniques/procedures
  • Leadership in national professional organization at the state level
  • Active in submission of articles for publication
  •  Involved in process improvement projects
  • Presents at state, local and national meetings
Advanced Practice Scientist II Masters degree CLS

MT

 

Specialization in one or more areas

 Demonstrates skills under APS I plus:

  • Demonstrates advanced leadership skills
  • Involved in researching new methods
  •   Contributes to professional development in field of practice
  • Recognized as national expert in specialized field\
  •  Effectively collaborates with other members of the healthcare team
  • Active membership, participation, and leadership in national professional organization at the national level
Advanced Practice Scientist III Doctorate CLS

MT

 

Specialization in one or more areas

 Demonstrates skills under APS II plus:

  • Recognized expert in field of practice
  •  Expands the body of knowledge in the field
  •  Assumes an advanced consultant role
  • Evaluates and documents interventions and laboratory testing outcomes
  • Develops and assumes new practices roles on the healthcare team.
  • Evaluates research proposals and research designs in clinical laboratory medicine for feasibility and efficacy.