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American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS)

I'''. General Information'''

The American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, (ASCLS), is a professional organization that provides advocacy, standards setting, continuing education, and personal and professional development for clinical laboratory science practitioners. '''II. History''' The professional association began as the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Technicians and is now known as the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS). ASCLS was organized in 1933 and incorporated in 1936. Early on members were required to be certified by the Board of Registry of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) to ensure credibility of the society.

During the 1930s, ASCLS activities included the inception of a journal, the establishment of a Constitution and Bylaws, the emergence of state charters, and educating the public about the profession.

In 1947, ASMT held its first independent convention compared to earlier national meetings which were held in conjunction with physician groups.

During the 1950s, the ASMT Education and Research Fund was established to advance research efforts.

In 1962, qualifications for the clinical laboratory scientist (medical technologist) changed to include a baccalaureate degree and a new category of laboratory technician emerged. Also in the 1960s, ASMT joined the International Association of Medical Laboratory Technologists.

In the 1970s ASMT grew considerably in numbers (over 30,000 in 1976). The P.A.C.E.® (Professional Acknowledgment for Continuing Education) Program for validating and documenting continuing education was introduced, and the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) was formed as an independent accreditation agency. Together with Central Michigan University, ASCLS provided graduate programs for laboratorians to earn master's degrees in administration or education. The ASCLS launched its Future Directions Plan, and Statements of Competence. ASCLS initiated the formation of the National Certification Agency (NCA) to advance "certification for the profession, by the profession."

In the 1980s, the organization sponsored the Clinical Laboratory Educators Conference (CLEC) and the Legislative Symposium. ASCLS also moved its offices from Houston, Texas, to Washington, D.C., to become more involved in influencing legislation to advance the profession.

During the 1990s, ASCLS joined forces with the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) to hold one of the largest annual meetings of laboratorians in the country. In 1995, the National Labor Relations Board recognized medical technologists as "professional employees."

Names of the organization - evolution

1933			American Society of Clinical Laboratory Technicians (ASCLT)

1936			American Society of Medical Technologists (ASMT)

1973			American Society for Medical Technology (ASMT)

1993-present		American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS)

Location of National Office

1935	Detroit (Ann Arbor), MI (organization incorporated in Michigan)

1949	Houston (Bellaire), TX

1986	Bethesda, MD

2011      Washington, D.C.

Names of the Journal

1935		The Bulletin of the American Society of Clinical Laboratory Technicians

1936	       The American Journal of Medical Technology of the American Society of Medical Technologists (49 volumes)

1984		Journal of Medical Technology (a joint publication of American Medical	Technologists and the American Society for Medical Technology).

1988-present		Clinical Laboratory Science

'''III. Leadership'''


 * Board of Directors 2010-20110:


 * President: Marcia Armstrong


 * President-Elect: Catherine Otto


 * Past President: Mary Ann McLane


 * Secretary/Treasurer: Gilma Roncancio-Weemer


 * Director Region I: Susan Leclair


 * Director Region II: Barbara Snyderman


 * Director Region III: Hassan Aziz


 * Director Region IV: Linda Gorman


 * Director Region V: Debra Rodahl


 * Director Region VI: Tim R. Randolph


 * Director Region VII: Linda Smith


 * Director Region VIII: J.R. Constance


 * Director Region IX: Mary Lashinski


 * Director Region X: Sheri Gon


 * Student Forum Chair: Katie Pieschke


 * First Year Professional Director: Lisa Martini

'''IV. ASCLS Code of Ethics'''
 * Preamble


 * The Code of Ethics of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) sets forth the principles and standards by which clinical laboratory professionals practice their profession.


 * I. Duty to the Patient


 * Clinical laboratory professionals are accountable for the quality and integrity of the laboratory services they provide. This obligation includes maintaining individual competence in judgment and performance and striving to safeguard the patient from incompetent or illegal practice by others.


 * Clinical laboratory professionals maintain high standards of practice. They exercise sound judgment in establishing, performing and evaluating laboratory testing.


 * Clinical laboratory professionals maintain strict confidentiality of patient information and test results. They safeguard the dignity and privacy of patients and provide accurate information to other health care professionals about the services they provide.


 * II. Duty to Colleagues and the Profession


 * Clinical laboratory professionals uphold and maintain the dignity and respect of our profession and strive to maintain a reputation of honesty, integrity and reliability. They contribute to the advancement of the profession by improving the body of knowledge, adopting scientific advances that benefit the patient, maintaining high standards of practice and education, and seeking fair socioeconomic working conditions for members of the profession.


 * Clinical laboratory professionals actively strive to establish cooperative and respectful working relationships with other health care professionals with the primary objective of ensuring a high standard of care for the patients they serve.


 * III. Duty to Society


 * As practitioners of an autonomous profession, clinical laboratory professionals have the responsibility to contribute from their sphere of professional competence to the general well being of the community.


 * Clinical laboratory professionals comply with relevant laws and regulations pertaining to the practice of clinical laboratory science and actively seek, within the dictates of their consciences, to change those which do not meet the high standards of care and practice to which the profession is committed.

V. Scientific Assemblies

The ASCLS Scientific Assemblies are forums within the organization, representing 12 different disciplines, which serve to share information, solve problems, and discuss trends and new forms of technology. The Scientific Assembly is organized into the following CLS disciplines:

Chemistry/Urinalysis, Microbiology, Laboratory Administration, Immunology/Immunohematology, Hematology/Hemostasis, Generalist/Public Health, Industry, Education, Point of Care Testing/Phlebotomy, Molecular Diagonstics/Genetics, Consultants, Regulatory Affairs/Quality Management

'''VI. Publications'''

Clinical Laboratory Science

ASCLS Today

'''VII. Affiliate Organizations'''

ADVANCE Magazine

American Hospital Association (AHA)

Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI; formerly NCCLS)

Coordinating Council on the Clinical Laboratory Workforce (CCCLW)

International Federation of Biomedical Laboratory Science

The Joint Commission (JC; formerly known as JCAHO)

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS)

National Fire Protection Association – Technical Committee on Laboratories (NFPA)

Health Professions Network (HPN)