Volunteer for ASCLS national taskforces and committees; apply for scholarships for CLS undergrad and graduate students; sign up for two free webinars, submit poster abstracts for the 2024 ASCLS, AGT & SAFMLS Joint Annual Meeting; and more.
Volunteer Opportunities
Position Paper Taskforces
Apply by February 29 (login required)
ASCLS has opportunities to serve on three taskforces that will be charged with updating or creating the following position papers:
- Bioterrorism Preparedness: This is an update to an existing position paper originally adopted in 2012.
- Social Determinants of Health: This position paper will replace the current position paper, Expanding Geriatric Population, with a broader position paper with all social determinants of health and the role of medical laboratory professionals and the clinical laboratory community in addressing those issues.
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging: The primary goal of this taskforce would be to submit an ASCLS DEIB Position Paper on the definition, role, direction, challenges, and opportunities for DEIB in ASCLS.
Taskforce participants will work for several months, performing literature searches and drafting positions that will be considered for adoption by the ASCLS House of Delegates as the official position of the Society on these topics.
Members of the taskforces will be approved at the Interim Board Meeting of the ASCLS Board of Directors in March and should begin work in April. Learn more (login required).
Volunteer for ASCLS Committees
Apply by March 5 (login required)
Volunteers are the engine that powers ASCLS. Opportunities to serve in volunteer leadership positions are now open for the 2024-2025 Society year, which begins July 2024.
Are you looking for an opportunity to learn more about ASCLS, or have an interest in a specific committee? Now is the time for you to consider your interests!
The application process has been streamlined. Data gathered will be used to match the most qualified volunteers with the volunteer opportunities that most closely align their talents, skills, experiences, and areas of interest. The number of volunteer opportunities with ASCLS will be growing, and your volunteer profile will be referenced to identify those who could fill these new roles with the Society throughout the year. Learn more (login required).
Sponsored Content
Going the Distance
International Volunteer Opportunities Available for Medical Laboratory Science Educators
Advancing Health Professionals sends experienced professionals to undertake short-term, high-impact service assignments in Africa. Explore opportunities today! Browse current openings.
Scholarships Available for Undergraduate and Graduate CLS Students
Applications Due April 1
The Alpha Mu Tau Fraternity and ASCLS Education & Research (E&R) Fund, Inc., support the advancement of medical laboratory professionals through graduate and undergraduate scholarships for clinical laboratory science students. Applicants for all scholarships must be ASCLS members. Learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply by April 1.
Upcoming Events
Free Webinar – Inclusive Workplaces 101: Building Cultures of Equity and Belonging
February 29, 1 pm ET | Virtual
Speaker: Gabrielle Davis, MPH, MA, RRT, LPC, NCC
Description: Inclusive Workplaces 101 offers a concise and informative exploration of the essential elements needed to cultivate a culture of belonging, equity, and inclusion in any organization. From understanding unconscious bias to fostering allyship and belonging, this presentation provides practical insights and actionable strategies for creating environments where employees feel valued and empowered.
Learning Objectives:
- Implement practical techniques to promote allyship and foster a sense of belonging among employees with varying identities.
- Discuss the concept of allyship and its role in creating inclusive workplaces where individuals feel supported and valued.
- Identify strategies to recognize and mitigate unconscious bias in day-to-day interactions and organizational practices.
Instruction Level: Basic
Free Webinar – Pre-examination/Pre-analytical Variables in Laboratory Testing
March 20, 1 pm ET | Virtual
Speaker: Kathleen Finnegan, MS, M(ASCP), MLS(ASCP)SHCM
Description: Pre-examination variables play a key role in the quality of specimens that are obtained for laboratory testing. The pre-examination process is an important step for the accuracy of laboratory results, which impact patient safety and the quality of care given. Guidelines for collecting quality samples are essential because acceptance of improper specimens for analysis may lead to erroneous laboratory results.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe pre-examination variables and their effect on laboratory testing.
- Discuss phlebotomy procedures to increase the overall quality of specimen collection.
- Determine how to reduce pre-analytical variables and specimen rejection.
Instruction Level: Intermediate
These P.A.C.E.®-accredited webinars are free for ASCLS members ($10 for non-members). Preregistration is required. If you can’t attend live, register anyway—those who pre-register will receive access to the webinar recording.
ASCLS is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program.
ASCLS Webinar Leads to CLEC 2024 Poster
The 2024 Clinical Laboratory Educators Conference (CLEC), to be held February 22-24 in Las Vegas and virtually, will include a poster from the Fletcher Technical Community College MLT Program, Teaching Civility and Encouraging Leadership Skills. The poster showcases an initiative that came directly from an ASCLS webinar on professionalism, presented April 4, 2023. We love to see the impact that ASCLS continuing education has on our members and the profession.
Save the Date: 2024 ASCLS, AGT & SAFMLS Joint Annual Meeting
July 8-12 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, or Virtual
Plans for the 2024 ASCLS, AGT & SAFMLS Joint Annual Meeting (JAM) are well underway. Again this year JAM will offer flexibility with two attendee options—in-person and virtual. Registration opens in March.
In-Person Attendance: JAM will be held at the Wyndham Grand Hotel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In addition to the educational program, poster presentations, industry partner exhibits, and networking activities, you’ll also receive access to all recorded JAM educational sessions for 30 days after the event, providing you with about 50 hours of P.A.C.E.®-approved credit.
Virtual Attendance: You will have access to the nearly 50 educational sessions, either streamed live or recorded; industry partner virtual activities; and virtual poster presentations. You will also have access to all recorded JAM educational sessions for 30 days after the event. You get to choose which sessions and events you want to attend live and which recordings you will view later when the time is right. Create a personalized JAM experience that fits your life.
Submit a Poster Presentation Abstract for the 2024 JAM by March 20
The 2024 JAM poster presentation abstract submissions are currently open! Make an impact on the future of medical laboratory science by sharing your research and case studies with peers from across the nation.
All posters will be showcased digitally (both onsite in Pittsburgh and via the meeting app). Submissions will be accepted from both in-person and virtual attendees. In-person attendees will have the opportunity to participate in the poster competitions for cash prizes. All accepted primary poster presenters will receive $100 off registration for the meeting. The deadline for abstract submissions is March 20.
Race to JAM Student Trivia Competition
Sign up by February 24
Race to JAM is a national student trivia competition hosted by the ASCLS Developing Professionals Forum. Preliminary rounds are conducted over Zoom on Saturday, April 13, between 10 am and 4 pm ET.
The final two teams will go head-to-head in-person on Monday, July 8, 5 pm ET, at the 2024 ASCLS, AGT & SAFMLS Joint Annual Meeting (JAM), held July 8-12 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The winning team will be recognized during the Awards Ceremony at JAM on Wednesday, July 10.
Learn more and sign up by February 24.
Medical Laboratory Professionals Week
9th Annual ASCLS Lab Week Run
April 14-20 | Virtual
Join more than 750 laboratory professionals who have already signed up for the 9th Annual ASCLS Lab Week Virtual Run. Step out of your labs and into your communities to help spread the word about the medical laboratory profession and have fun with friends and co-workers.
This virtual race can be run at any time during Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (April 14-20, 2024) and can be run anywhere. Participants can walk, use a treadmill, run outside, or even ride a bike to complete the 5K distance (or 3.1 miles).
All proceeds go to scholarships that help medical laboratory professionals attend ASCLS meetings, lobby representatives for the profession, and become future leaders in the field.
Thank you to our 2024 Lab Week Run Platinum Sponsors AUDIT MicroControls, BD, COLA, Greiner Bio-One, Scopio, SEKISUI Diagnostics, and TELCOR.
Time to Work on Lab Week Proclamations
One way to bring awareness to the profession—especially if you can schedule an in-person signing—is to get a proclamation for Medical Laboratory Professionals Week by your governor or mayor. Now is the time to contact your governor and/or mayor to request a proclamation for April 14-20, 2024. Below are some examples of 2023 proclamations.
- View an example of Louisiana’s Proclamation
- View an example of Philadelphia’s Proclamation
CDC OneLabTM
Free Webinar: Risk Assessment in Clinical Laboratories
Wednesday, March 27, 12 pm ET
When Ebola entered the United States in 2014, healthcare workers were faced with the very real threat of a deadly exotic disease presenting itself anywhere at any time. This revealed the importance of needing to be prepared and ready to respond. Laboratory professionals have since been tasked with performing a risk assessment in an effort to protect themselves and their communities from laboratory-associated infections. Participants of this webinar will be reminded of how to identify and assess for hazards and mitigate risk and will learn of resources available to assist in what can seem like a daunting process. Sign up Today
CDC’s OneLab Network provides opportunities for education and training, as well as a space for collaboration between clinical, public health, individuals who perform or coordinate testing at non-laboratory sites, and CDC laboratory education and training professionals. Access recordings from previous webinars:
Diagnostic Excellence: A New Quality Tool to Prevent Blood Culture Contamination – On December 13, 2023, Jake Bunn, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM, presented on a CDC-developed quality measure to promote blood culture best practices and improve the laboratory diagnosis of bloodstream infections. The webinar emphasized the importance of standardizing blood culture collection and explained the quality measure development process, new tools, and next steps. A recording of the webinar is now available.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Laboratory Systems is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program.
OneLab™ is a registered trademark of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
OneLab Summit
April 16-18 | Virtual
OneLab Summit is a free, annual virtual event that connects laboratory professionals in real-time to support a unified response to laboratory education and training needs. Attendance is open to anyone interested or involved in the laboratory profession. OneLab Summit programming is most relevant to people who provide education or training to clinical and public laboratory professionals.
Registrants are welcome to attend the entire event or only specific sessions of interest. Select sessions will offer P.A.C.E.® credit.
You do not have to be a CDC OneLab REACHTM member to attend OneLab Summit. However, you must have a OneLab REACH account to obtain ASCLS P.A.C.E.® credit on the sessions offering P.A.C.E.® credit.
Submit a poster by March 27! This year, the OneLab Summit will feature a Virtual Exhibit Hall. Attendees can use this online space to highlight their organization’s programs, resources, success stories, and more. To submit a poster to the Virtual Exhibit Hall, download and complete the poster template and return it to OneLab@cdc.gov by March 27. Poster submissions will be capped at 25 posters for the 2024 Summit.
OneLab REACH™ is a registered trademark of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Voices Under 40
Spotlight: Kyle McCafferty, MLS(ASCP), Troy, Michigan
Kyle is an IRL technologist for the American Red Cross in Detroit. His duties include resolving compatibility problems, performing automated and manual test procedures on blood samples, and providing complex reference and consultation services to hospitals and transfusion services.
Kyle is very active in ASCLS, acting as the current president of ASCLS-MI and serving as mobile app coordinator for Michigan’s Conference Planning Committee. In the past he has served as District III director and on the Fiscal Responsibility and Risk Management Task Forces. Read more.
ASCLS Voices Under 40 honors ASCLS members who have shown exceptional commitment to the Society, the laboratory profession, and their community at large at a younger age in their professional career. Each month we spotlight one of the shining voices who were selected from many nominations across the country. Do you know an individual that should be recognized as a 2024 Voices Under 40 recipient? Submit their name by March 1.
Local Events
Check out events happening in ASCLS constituent societies.
2024 ASCLS-Missouri Spring Conference
March 13-14
St. Louis, Missouri
2024 Louisiana Society for Clinical Laboratory Science/ASCLS-Mississippi
March 25-27
Biloxi, Mississippi
2024 Ohio Collaborative Laboratory Conference
March 25-26
Westerville, Ohio
ASCLS-Wisconsin 2024 State Convention
April 2-3
Appleton, Wisconsin
ASCLS-Indiana Networking Event
April 3
Indianapolis, Indiana
2024 Minnesota Clinical Laboratory Collaborative
April 4-5
Bloomington, Minnesota
Spring ASCLS-Virginia Meeting
April 5-6
Radford, Virginia
ASCLS-Kansas 2024 Annual Meeting
April 9-10
Salina, Kansas
Texas Association of Clinical Laboratory Science Annual Meeting
April 10-12
Granbury, Texas
ASCLS-Arkansas Spring 2024 Laboratory Conference
April 12
Benton, Arkansas
Florida Society for Clinical Laboratory Science Spring Symposium 2024
April 12
Orlando, Florida
ASCLS-Montana Conference 2024
April 11-13
Billings, Montana
ASCLS-Michigan Annual Conference
April 14-16
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
CoLABorate Iowa Clinical Laboratory Conference
April 16-17
Des Moines, Iowa
ASCLS-New Jersey 2024 Spring Seminar & Expo
April 18
Somerset, New Jersey
Clinical Laboratory Collaborative Conference (ASCLS-Colorado and ASCLS-Wyoming)
April 18-19
Denver, Colorado
Spring 2024 Kentucky Society for Clinical Laboratory Science Meeting
April 19
Richmond, Kentucky
ASCLS-Illinois Lab Week Networking Event
April 20
Bloomington/Normal, Illinois
2024 ASCLS-North Dakota State Meeting
April 26-27
Bismarck, North Dakota
2024 ASCLS-Pennsylvania Spring Meeting
May 5-6
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Connect: The Community Conversations
ASCLS Connect is an invaluable platform to ask questions, share feedback, and stay connected with your community of laboratorians. Here are some of the recent discussions you may have missed.
The Membership Committee posts “Membership Mondays” questions each week to spur discussion and get to know fellow ASCLS members. Recent questions were:
- What is the strangest or most amazing story about your family?
- PRISM Poll: Which 2024 PRISM event made the biggest impact on you?
In the Chemistry Scientific Scientific Assembly, members provided feedback on a calibration troubleshooting flowchart guide.
In the Clinical Laboratory Educators Forum, a Teacher Tip Tuesday discussion focused on, Office Hours/Connecting with Students.
In the Open Forum, members discussed an email write-in campaign to get Google to celebrate Medical Laboratory Professionals Week with a Doodle design.
Key Dates
Race to JAM Student Trivia Competition Sign-up Deadline
February 24
Webinar – Inclusive Workplaces 101: Building Cultures of Equity and Belonging
February 29
National ASCLS Volunteer Opportunity Deadlines
February 29