Labs Are Vital: industry takes aim at lab workforce shortage.

Increasing reliance on diagnostic testing makes the laboratory a critical component in 21st-century healthcare. The growing shortage of laboratory professionals, however, puts patient care and public health at risk.

The average vacancy rate for staff medical technologists has increased 50% since 2003, according to the American Society for Clinical Pathology's 2005 wage and vacancy survey. Many factors contribute to the shortage, including a dramatic reduction in laboratory-education programs and faculty, an aging workforce, low visibility of the profession's contributions, and the higher wages available through career paths outside of the lab.

"Without the lab, healthcare would come to an abrupt halt," explains Paula Garrott, chair of the Coordinating Council on the Clinical Laboratory Workforce (CCCLW), interim director of the Natural Science Division, and chair and associate professor emerita of the Clinical Laboratory Science Department at the University of Illinois at Springfield. "There is no substitute for qualified laboratory professionals ensuring correct tests are ordered, performed accurately, and results utilized appropriately."

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A desire to mitigate this critical workforce shortage fueled CCCLW's two-day strategic planning session in January involving governance and staff from 14 national and regional laboratory organizations as well as from Abbott, sponsor of Labs Are Vital--the multipronged, multiyear change initiative designed to raise awareness of the contributions of laboratorians. Session participants were challenged to identify ways to increase awareness of the value of clinical laboratory professionals in achieving positive patient outcomes, as well as ways to increase the number of qualified professionals in the field.

"The effort is synergistically aligned with the Labs Are Vital initiative, which leverages public awareness campaigns and recruitment initiatives to address the workforce challenges facing the laboratory today," comments Paul Epner, director of Healthcare Improvement Initiatives at Abbott Diagnostics. Labs Are Vital is supported by several prominent laboratory organizations and is designed to highlight the critical role that laboratory professionals play in healthcare, to extend the laboratory's influence within the healthcare community, and to address key issues facing laboratories today.

Many positive actions resulted from CCCLW's planning session, including the identification of a practical vision to be achieved within three years embodying seven elements:

1. enhanced community awareness and professional prestige;

2. improved total rewards;

3. established and uniform credentials and levels of practice;

4. defined career advancement;

5. a unified voice;

6. expanded collaborative and consultative roles; and

7. optimized recruitment and retention.

To facilitate achieving these goals within the specified timeframe, four task forces were formed. Each task force is charged with specific quarterly projects, such as the development of a survey for educators to evaluate key advocates and assessment of the four credentialing options available.

The planning session not only identified the complexity of the causes of the workforce shortage but also the industry's response to date. Differing analyses of the shortage and the necessity of clinical laboratory science and clinical laboratory technician education, certification, and licensure make a unified response challenging. Substantial common ground was identified, however, and formed the basis for the activities that were developed.

Planning-session participants also note that an essential transformation is necessary to demonstrate the value and importance of the laboratory. By assuming an active and expanded role in the healthcare system, laboratory leadership facilitators can increase the visibility of the laboratory. This shift into broader organizational involvement complements initiatives like Labs Are Vital.

Each laboratory professional can positively impact the challenges facing the profession. Please visit www.labsarevital.com to register and learn about new opportunities in which you can participate.