What's New?

The Center for Phlebotomy Education has created two booklets that contain articles on a wide variety of specimen collection topics. Volume 1 contains seven articles on topics in collection protection, such as lab coats, gloves, & handwashing, sharps containers, safety needles, hazardous practices and exposure management; volume 2 includes three articles on legal issues, preanalytical errors and controlling blood culture contamination rates. Each volume provides an option of earning 3 contact hours of P.A.C.E.® credit for an additional $15 fee submitted with the completed answer form. Read at your own pace on timely topics to enhance your knowledge of specimen collection.

Click here to order from the ASCLS online store or here to view price and an order form.

This program is designed to provide information needed to train employees on the OSHA Chemical Hygiene Standard (CHS) of 1990 (29 CFR 1910.1450). In addition it meets the accreditation requirements of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Lab General Checklist question GEN.70450 that requires a Chemical Hygiene Plan be in place and that it include training.

Disc #1 is a CD that includes a leader's guide that will assist with the training and examples of the attendance sheet, quiz and evaluation form that can be printed. Disc #2 is a 35 minute DVD that addresses training issues associated with the Chemical Hygiene Standard including the storage and labeling of chemicals, safety work practices and spill cleanup. 2008; CD/DVD; free shippin

Click here to order from the ASCLS online store or here to view price and an order form.

This atlas is a full-color, spiralbound manual of Gram-stained direct smears for CLS or CLT students and practitioners, microbiologists, pathologists, infectious disease specialists, and anyone who interprets Gram-stained specimens. Featuring over 250 clear photomicrographs taken from actual patient specimens, the manual presents a simple, easy-to-use format; brief legends accompany each image. Three introductory chapters cover Gram-stain procedures, quality control, evaluation, and more. An invaluable reference and educational tool, this manual is effective both as a stand alone text and as an accompaniment to the companion CD.

Direct Smear Atlas CD - The CD contains over 230 images taken from Gram-stained smear preparations of actual patient specimens. This CD is designed to help the user achieve proficiency in reading gram stains. It is designed for quick study, so you can choose images based on specimen site, morphology, diagnosis, or alphabetically by species or genus. Also includes a randomized test for competency assessment. Windows Compatible; 1998

Click here to order from the ASCLS online store or here to view price and an order form.

Laboratory Education Webcasts - provided by Dane Garvin, Ltd.

Dane Garvin, Ltd provides educational webcasts designed for laboratory professionals. There is no registration fee to participate. Archived webcasts are easily accessed via the internet. ASCLS is a webcast co-sponsor and provides the P.A.C.E.® credit. Webcasts are supported by various companies. Current topics include "Rapid Influenza Testing: What the Clinician Needs to Know" and "Chronic Kidney Disease: Role of eGFR in Detection, Evaluation and Management." Click here for more information.

Image Atlas: Hematology by Indiana Pathology Images™

The newest Image Atlas is available! There are over 1000 high-quality images including normal and abnormal morphologies for RBCs, WBCs, and platelets as well as microrganisms. Images can be downloaded for presentations, exams or lab manuals. Image retrieval is alphabetically or by cell type or diagnosis/anomaly. Available as single user CD or site user. PC and Mac compatible. Click here to order from the ASCLS online store or here to view price and an order form

Directory of Graduate Programs for Clinical Laboratory Practitioners 5th edition
Newly Revised

This Directory is intended to help students, faculty and administrators identify institutions of higher learning that offer advanced degrees for clinical laboratory personnel. It includes information on colleges and universities that provide programs in CLS and specialty disciplines. Important information about entry and degree requirements, tuition, fees, availability of online coursework and more. The directory was completely updated in 2007 with newly added Programs plus two new categories -- universities that offer either an Entry Level Practitioner Masters Level Program or Post Baccalaureate Certificate Programs. The Directory is a must for every education program or laboratory bookshelf or library.

Available on CD; a user-friendly table of contents allows for easy navigation.
Click here to order from the ASCLS online store or here to view price and an order form

Clinical Hematology Atlas 3rd edition
New Revised by Jacqueline Carr, MS, CLSpH(NCA), CLDir(NCA) & Bernadette Rodak, MS, CLSpH(NCA)

This atlas is ideal for identifying cells at the microscope; it includes the basics of hematologic morphology, including examination of the peripheral blood smear, basic maturation of the blood cell lines, and discussions of a variety of clinical disorders. Over 400 photographs, schematic diagrams, and electron micrographs illustrate hematology from normal cell maturation to the development of various pathologies. New in this edition is a chapter that covers normal newborn peripheral blood morphology; expanded resources with case studies, study questions and links to websites. Ideal for classroom/student lab teaching, retraining or review!

Click here to order from the ASCLS online store or here to view price and an order form

Laboratory Quality & Patient Safety: Reducing Lab-Associated Medical Errors by Larry Broussard, PhD, DABCC, FACB

Following the 1999 IOM report on medical errors and patient safety there has been a growing need to educate laboratorians on the types of errors, frequency of errors and strategies to minimize errors. In particular, emphasis needs to be on what direct or indirect errors are the result of the laboratory and what the laboratory can do to minimize these errors. The presentation includes background information from national reports and initiatives (IOM, AHRQ, IQLM), management tools, monitors of lab quality (studies to use), regulatory/legislative responses and presentation of publicized cases (ie-Maryland General). This is a 2-part presentation; the first covers the history and recommendations for patient safety and addresses patient safety indicators and pre-analytical errors; the second part covers analytical & post-analytical errors and tools for detection & prevention. Case studies are included to provide laboratory examples of how attention to errors can improve lab quality and affect patient safety. The instructional CD is P.A.C.E.®-approved

Click here to order from the ASCLS online store or here to view price and an order form


Clinical Chemistry Reviews
by Larry Kaplan, PhD and Amadeo Pesce, PhD

A comprehensive review of clinical chemistry, available on CD or online, provides concise information for the most common chemical analyses and disease correlation. Each topic is presented via PowerPoint slides with synchronized audio. Interactive case histories are included with most topics to assist the learner in applying important pieces of information. Each unit is ideal for use in reviewing, retraining, for in-house continuing education needs, or to assist with regulatory training or competency requirements. Click here for more information or to order 2006

Web Courses

MediaLab offers individual and institutional subscriptions to over 40 online courses for laboratory professionals. Earn over 80 hours of P.A.C.E. credit for only $95 per year (individual subscription price)!

Online courses include Hematology, Urinalysis, Microbiology, Body Fluids, HIPAA, Medicare, Medical Errors, DOT Compliance, OSHA Safety and more! See all available courses for laboratory continuing education at http://www.labce.com/Default.aspx?ref=ascls.

Individual subscriptions include over 40 online courses for a full year. Complete courses at your own pace using any internet-connected computer. Learn more and subscribe online for immediate access at http://www.labce.com/Default.aspx?ref=ascls.

Laboratory subscriptions for 5-1000+ users include OSHA safety and compliance courses, as well as over 80 hours of P.A.C.E. credits. Track and document your employee training with a powerful laboratory learning management system and build your own custom online courses for your laboratory. Learn more at http://www.medialabinc.net/Default.aspx?ref=ascls or call 678-226-2505 - be sure to mention you are an ASCLS member.

DNAMedEdCafé provides educational webcasts designed for laboratory professionals and other healthcare professionals. There is no registration fee to participate. A phone line and/or an Internet connection are all that are required to attend live webcasts. Past educational webcast presentations are available as archived programs. CE/CME webcast sponsors are ASCLS and Medical Education Collaborative (MEC). Webcast co-sponsors are ASCLS, AMP and Dane Garvin Ltd. Webcasts are supported by an educational grant from Abbott Molecular. Click here for dates and topics.

Dane Garvin, Ltd provides educational webcasts designed for laboratory professionals. There is no registration fee to participate. Archived webcasts are easily accessed via the internet. ASCLS is a webcast co-sponsor and provides the P.A.C.E.® credit. Webcasts are supported by various companies. Click here for topics.

Westgard Quality Corporation Courses

"Introduction to Quality Planning" This minicourse introduces the latest theories and models for Quality Control. QC has been performed in the healthcare laboratory for over 50 years, yet many QC practices remain rooted in the 1950’s. New technologies, new approaches, and new techniques for QC have evolved in the last few decades. This course introduces the latest developments in QC. Earn 8 P.A.C.E.^® contact hours for successfully completing the final exam.

"Basic QC Practices"
This intensive Web course, developed by Dr. James O. Westgard, is intended to provide education and training in quality control (QC) to a broad audience of healthcare practitioners who perform laboratory tests in central laboratories, clinic or outpatient laboratories, and point-of-care settings. Earn 15 P.A.C.E.^® contact hours for successfully completing the final exam.

"Basic Method Validation"
Also developed by Dr. Westgard. Basic Method Validation focuses on the essentials for validating the performance of laboratory methods for moderate or high complexity tests. These methods comprise the majority of tests performed in most healthcare laboratories. The knowledge and skills required for basic method validation are the minimum training and education needed to validate method performance in any healthcare laboratory. Earn 15 P.A.C.E.^® contact hours for successfully completing the final exam.

"Multirule MiniCourse"
Multirule QC - often called the "Westgard rules" - is a commonly used QC procedure in many laboratories. But many laboratorians are confused about its use and interpretation. This course gives the definitive explanation of the multirule QC as well as how it should be properly interpreted. This should help healthcare practictioners operate valid statistical QC procedures. This course is approved at the Basic Level of Instruction for 5 hours of P.A.C.E.® credit.

"Levey-Jennings MiniCourse"
It is essential that laboratorians understand the use of the Levey-Jennings control chart to assure the quality of test results. Control results must be plotted and interpreted and critical decisions about in-control and out-of-control results are made using these charts. Still, many laboratorians are confused about the use and interpretation of control results. In this course, Dr. James O. Westgard gives a definitive explanation of the LJ chart, as well as practical advice on how to use and properly interpret control results. Earn 5 P.A.C.E.® contact hours for successfully completing the final exam.

Chronolab

The Quality of Diagnostic Samples -- This online program consists of two chapters: 1) Introduction with detailed information on choice of diagnostic sample, its collection, transport, storage and optimal volume and 2) Samples and Stability of Analytes elaborating the stability of 386 analytes in blood (serum, plasma or whole blood), 65 analytes in urine and 9 analytes in cerebrospinal fluid.   In addition, biological half-life of an analyte; its stability at different temperatures; stabilizer and the list of referent literature are elaborated.   Based on Recommendations of the Working Group on Preanalytical Variables of the German Society for Clinical Chemistry and the German Society for Laboratory Medicine.   Ideal for educating non-laboratory personnel about specimen types & uses, for managers of specimen collection areas, or for laboratorian review/continuing education needs.   Registration is free. To sign up, click here.

University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey

Earn an advanced degree over the Internet! ASCLS and UMDNJ -the nation’s largest health science university - offer ASCLS members a unique on-line learning experience.  Coursework for a Master of Science in Health Systems or a Certificate in Clinical Systems Management is available at in-state tuition costs, even if you do not live in New Jersey, and taken conveniently at your home.  Click here for details

Home Study Opportunities for P.A.C.E.^® Credit

Do you need CE credit for recertification, licensure renewal or in your workplace? A convenient mail-in examination is published in every issue (4 times/year) of the ASCLS journal, Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS). Subscribers can read and study articles on selected topics, correctly answer follow-up questions, and earn 1.5 to 5 contact hours per FOCUS section.

1. Subscription to CLS is a benefit of ASCLS Professional I membership (visit the Membership section). A separate fee is charged for each exam returned to receive continuing education credit; $18/exam for ASCLS member, $28/exam for non-member.
   
   
2. Purchase an individual subscription to the journal for $50/year (institutional and international subscriptions slightly higher). Contact the ASCLS Education Department at 301-657-2768 to subscribe to the CLS journal. A separate fee is charged for each exam returned to receive continuing education credit; $18/exam for ASCLS member, $28/exam for non-member.
   
   
3. Click here for a form to order individual FOCUS article series. Articles and the answer sheet will be emailed in pdf file format. You must have Adobe Reader 5.0 or higher to view and print each article and the answer sheet. $22/FOCUS series - ASCLS member, $32/FOCUS series non-member; price includes articles, mail-in answer sheet, and payment for P.A.C.E.® credit.

A P.A.C.E.® certificate and credit will be awarded to participants who achieve a passing score of 70% or better. Please allow 8 weeks for certificate receipt. Instructions are included on the mail-in exam with each FOCUS section articles. Note that FOCUS exam answer sheets expire one year after the original publication date.

Each case study is designed to take you beyond the laboratory test and investigate the causes for abnormal laboratory results. Earn 1 contact hour of P.A.C.E.® - approved continuing education credit conveniently at your own pace by downloading the cases and successfully completing a quiz. Case studies may be downloaded for free; cost for P.A.C.E.® - approved credit is $15 for ASCLS members; $25 for nonmembers. Click here for more information.

The "LEARNING SCOPE" in ADVANCE
ASCLS & ADVANCE for Medical Laboratory Professionals produce a joint educational program through which ASCLS offers continuing education credits to ADVANCE readers. Similar to the FOCUS program described above, readers read a "Learning Scope" article in ADVANCE, complete a post-test and return it to ASCLS for grading.  If you are not already receiving ADVANCE, call 1-800-355- 1088 (610-278-1400).

Meetings, Seminars and Conferences

Click Here to view a complete listing of our State Society and Regional Meetings and Conferences.

P.A.C.E.^® Program 

P.A.C.E.® is an administrative system serving as the quality assurance mechanism for continuing education programs offered to clinical laboratory professionals. P.A.C.E.® is of benefit to both continuing education providers and the laboratory professionals who participate in the programs they provide.

Participants in P.A.C.E.® approved educational sessions have confidence in the quality of the program. P.A.C.E.® continuing education contact hours satisfy continuing education requirements for federal regulations, state licensure, certification agencies and employers.

Educational programs may be in a number of different formats, from large multiple day annual meetings to self-instructional material on audio/visual cassettes, CDs, journal articles, or on Internet websites. For a complete description of P.A.C.E.®, to learn how to become a provider, associated fees, and more, click below to access the P.A.C.E.® application packet. P.A.C.E.® questions may also be directed to sherrym@ascls.org or phone 301-657-2768.

Publications

"Education Connections"Books, CD-Roms, video tapes and other publications designed to enhance your professional education.

" Clinical Laboratory Science ( CLS )"  The quarterly journal of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science.  CLS includes FOCUS continuing education articles.  Readers can earn 2-5 P.A.C.E.^® continuing education contact hours for taking and passing the FOCUS examination at the end of the article.

Educational Scholarship Information

Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics/Coordinating Council on the Clinical Laboratory Workforce Scholarship Assistance for students in the second year of a Clinical Laboratory Technician (CLT/MLT) program

Alpha Mu Tau Fraternity ScholarshipsUndergraduate and Graduate Scholarship information.

Forum for Concerns of Minorities ScholarshipAssistance for minority students in clinical laboratory scientist or clinical laboratory technician programs who can demonstrate evidence of financial need.

Cardinal Healthcare Graduate Research AwardAwards are limited to Clinical Laboratory Scientists or Clinical Laboratory Technicians pursuing graduate research in the field.

Quest Student Forum Leadership Award  Recognizes a student member of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and contributed to the growth and development of the ASCLS Student Forum.

Additional ASCLS Scholarship and Awards Information

Education Links