Document: Position of the Society
Classification: Position Paper
Date: July 2004
Status: Approved by the ASCLS House of Delegates July, 2004
ASCLS Career Ladder Task Force
Model Career
Ladder
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 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. |