Four strategic directions were identified for addressing the workforce shortage during the recent strategic planning session of the Coordinating Council on the Clinical Laboratory Workforce, which focused on addressing the lab workforce shortage:
• Develop a business case for increasing investment in the resolution of the shortage
• Improve the professional profile of lab professionals by expanding their role on the health care team
• Align the scope of practice by standardizing credentials and aligning curriculum
• Develop effective recruitment and retention efforts
Participants included the AABB, the American Society for Clinical Pathology, the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, the American Association for Clinical Chemistry, the Health Occupations Students of America, the Healthcare Laboratory Workforce Initiative of California, the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel, the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, the Association of Public Health Laboratories, the Association of Genetic Technologists, the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee, the American Medical Technologists, the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council, the CLMA, and Abbott Laboratories.
Attendees agreed to present the results of the meeting to their organizations and to call for organizational engagement. They were given specific action items that support the strategies and work toward a solution to the issues facing the clinical lab workforce.
