Critical Values - January 2009 - (Page 12) Volume 2 • Issue 1 • January 2009 Talk to a 14-year-old about the possibility of becoming a physician or nurse, and he or she is likely to conjure up positive images of smart, compassionate caregivers. Suggest a possible career in medical technology, cytology, or histotechnology, however, and he or she will probably stare blankly. Even parents are frequently unfamiliar with laboratory careers. Wouldn’t it be great if that blank stare could be replaced with the image of a confident, knowledgeable health care professional—an individual who has an interesting scientific career contributing to the diagnosis and treatment of nearly every human disease. This professional would have a secure job with the opportunity for advancement and, because of high nationwide demand, would be able to work almost anywhere. How do we go about building this image? The Council of Laboratory Professionals (CLP) is asking that same question. One of the Council’s goals for 2009 is to strengthen its connection to students and laboratory education programs in all 50 states. ASCP volunteers serving as Local Representatives are being asked to serve as liaisons to every accredited phlebotomy, cytotechnology, histology, pathologists’ assistant, and medical technology and technician program in the United States. Developing ties to these educational programs at the local and regional levels should promote ASCP student membership and develop a relationship with students and program directors. The Council hopes to support both the programs and the students by reaching out to them and engaging them in new ways. In 2007 the CLP developed an ASCP Student Handbook in CD format; the handbook was applauded by students and program directors because it provided a great deal of useful information. Building upon the success of the first edition, the 2008–2009 Student Handbook provides information on everything from resumes and career-building to ASCP National Student Honors Awards and ASCP scholarships. An additional way for CLP to connect with students would be a new ASCP Student Council, which would further engage students and identify better ways to meet their present needs as students as well as their future needs as young professionals entering the field of laboratory medicine. You can build positive images of laboratory professionals in the minds of young people. Dr. Kay Doyle offered a variety of ideas in her article “What You Can Do” in the October 2008 issue of Critical Values (Vol. 1, No. 4, p. 10). One recommendation was to make presentations at career day events. Lasting impressions can be made with very little effort. Put on your white lab coat and take Find Ways to Reach Out along a few props. You might grab students’ attention by bringing a microscope and some interesting slides for viewing. Parasites, blood smears, tissue slides, or Pap smears are always popular. Consider conducting a brief handwashing experiment using students from the audience. Plan to leave behind the sealed petri dishes for students and teachers to observe. Contact your ASCP Local or Regional Representatives to borrow a PowerPoint presentation on laboratory careers or get other great ideas. Here are a few more recommendations: • • Download or order career materials from the ASCP Web site. Distribute these materials to advanced biology teachers at high schools in the community. Offer to set up a classroom demonstration that introduces laboratory medicine to students while reinforcing a unit of classroom instruction. Find out if any high schools in your district have Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) programs. If so, contact these groups and ask how you can become involved. Serving as a speaker at a HOSA meeting or offering to give the group a tour of your laboratory would be a great way to raise awareness about laboratory careers. Mentor a junior high or high school student working on a science fair project. High school students interested in projects that involve bacteria or fungi are required to work with a qualified scientist in a laboratory setting. • • To ensure the success of laboratories in future years, we must reach out to young people today in every way possible. We must promote a clear and positive image of laboratory professionals that attracts students interested in scientific and health care careers. If we are successful, then perhaps when we ask our 14-year-olds what they want to be when they grow up, some of them will answer, “I want to work in a medical laboratory.” Build Positive Images Ms. Chakkaphak is Laboratory Services Director, St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Jacksonville, FL. 12
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