From the 2023 Emerging Laboratory Managers Collaborative Conference (Recorded 1/20/2023)
Presented by Jim Flanigan, CAE
The clinical laboratory profession, employers and senior government officials have raised concerns about a workforce shortage for decades. Due mostly to dramatic advancements in technology, the worst case scenarios have been avoided. COVID may have substantially changed that. This session will cover a short history and some of the folklore than has grown up around the long focus on this issue. It will also discuss current efforts and the necessity to fully appreciate the current macro environment in which the clinical laboratory profession finds itself. Finally, the session will focus on practical ways individuals and groups can operationalize a response.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to

• Identify key inflection points in the history of the profession’s approach to addressing adequate staffing of clinical laboratories in the United States
• Discuss potential industry-wide approaches to operationalize solutions to the clinical laboratory staffing
• Assess the actional tasks they and their institution may choose to take to address workforce shortages.

CE ACCREDITATION
This recorded presentation is P.A.C.E. ® accredited. One (1) P.A.C.E. ® contact hour and one (1) Florida credit hour in the area GEN will be awarded to participants. ASCLS P.A.C.E.® is accepted by the ASCP/ASCLS/AGT Board of Certification and all states, including Florida and California, as an approved provider of continuing education for recertification and licensure. ASCLS is an approved provider with CE Broker for Florida licensees.

LEVEL OF INSTRUCTION
This Basic-level program is appropriate for laboratory professionals working in clinical, public health and academic settings.