CLINICAL LAB SCIENEC

CHAPTER 2: LABORATORY PERSONNEL CREDENTIALING AND FACILITY ACCREDITATION 41
Table 2-5 NCA Certification Categories and Equivalent ASCP
Certification Categories
NCA Designation
CLS, clinical laboratory scientist
CLT, clinical laboratory technician
CLSp, clinical laboratory specialist
CLSup, clinical laboratory supervisor
CLPlb, clinical laboratory phlebotomist
ASCP Designation
MT, medical technologist
MLT, medical laboratory technician
S, specialist
DLM, diplomate in laboratory management
PBT, phlebotomy technician
and successful completion of specialized testing to be designated a specialist in
an area of the laboratory. Technologist-level workers are allowed to work independently
without supervision in most states, with some varying requirements.
Technologists may supervise technicians, and in most cases technicians are not
able to work independently, except with supervision of a technologist who is
on the premises, when a technician performs and reports results of laboratory
tests. Many of the procedures are performed by both technicians and technologists,
but a number of tests of moderate or high complexity require that they be
performed by a technologist. The general division of labor allows technicians to
perform repetitious and routine procedures, while a technologist is expected to
be able to exercise more critical thinking and is allowed to modify the steps of a
procedure if necessary.
Specialty Designation for Categories of
Clinical Laboratory Scientists
Specialty registries exist under the auspices of the major credentialing agencies.
For instance, ASCP has specialties in histotechnology and cytotechnology, blood
banking, and microbiology, to name a few. A number of professional societies
also exist for the purpose of advancing the various specialties, and to provide for
input into the profession by the members of the societies. Continuing and inservice
educational opportunities are available at annual national and international
meetings. Note that some major accrediting agencies also provide for continuing
education for their members along with professional societies, as well as providing
for credentialing and personnel certification. Table 2-6 is a list of societies
that are active in providing for their members in matters of certification and in
promoting the profession, often providing lobbying efforts to gain favorable
government action. These organizations, for the most part, provide categorical
specializations in the major departments of the laboratory.
There are certain levels of knowledge that students must reach before entering
into clinical practice. This ensures a basic level of knowledge necessary to
protect the public. Workers employed by a facility should in some form be registered,
certified, or licensed, as appropriate for the position of employment or
the state in which the worker is employed. Most states do not require licensure
for medical laboratory workers but most often do require that all laboratory
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