Abbreviation | ASCP |
---|---|
Type | Nonprofit |
Registration no. | 36-2406080 |
Headquarters | Chicago |
Locations | |
CEO | Ervin Blair Holladay, Ph.D., MASCP, SCT(ASCP)CM |
Revenue (2022) | US$32 million |
Expenses (2022) | US$29 million |
Website | www |
The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), formerly known as the American Society of Clinical Pathologists is a professional association based in Chicago, Illinois encompassing 130,000 pathologists and laboratory professionals.
Founded in 1922, the ASCP provides programs in education, certification and advocacy on behalf of patients, pathologists and lab professionals. [1] In addition, the ASCP publishes numerous textbooks, newsletters and other manuals, and publishes two industry journals: American Journal of Clinical Pathology (AJCP) and LabMedicine . [2]
The current CEO since 2010 is Ervin Blair Holladay, Ph.D., MASCP, SCT(ASCP)CM who collects an annual salary of US$1 million.
In February 2006, ASCP acquired the cytology product line of the Midwest Institute for Medical Education (MIME). [3] At the time, it was the only national cytology proficiency testing provider. [4]
In 2009, ASCP acquired the medical technologist led National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA). [5] The baccalaureate-level certification designations Medical Technologist (MT) and Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) were replaced by Medical Laboratory Scientist, MLS(ASCP)CM. [5] The BOC Board of Governors will be composed of five ASCP Fellows (pathologists), five ASCP laboratory professionals, four representatives of ASCLS, two representatives of the Association of Genetic Technologists, eight representatives from the eight participating societies respectively, and one public representative. [5] The acquisition was criticized by AMT as doing little to further the standing of laboratory professionals. [6]
In 2021, ASCP acquired the Clinical Laboratory Management Association (CMLA). [7] CMLA had advocated against laboratory personnel licensure as an unnecessary cost.
[MT ASCP] is becoming increasingly important and will serve in to place trained laboratory technicians in a more secure competition with those whose training has been more superficial.
Bureau of Laboratories, New Brunswick (1938) [8]
The ASCP Board of Registry (BOR) was established in 1928 as the "Registration Bureau for Technicians" as the first certification agency for clinical laboratory personnel in the US. [9] [10] ASCP was the first professional medical organization to set standards for laboratory professionals, which initially only required a recommendation from a member. [10] Those recommended were subsequently registered with ASCP, hence name the Board of Registry. [10] In 1931, there were two classifications for registrants: Laboratory Technician (L.T.) and Medical Technologist (M.T.). [11] [9] The L.T. designation was granted to all technicians who met the minimum requirements without the examination. [11] The M.T. designations was issued to applicants who met rigid requirement of the Board and were individually elected at each annual meeting. [11] The first certification was issued in 1930 to Paul H. Adams of Fort Wayne, Indiana. [11] [9] In 1933, ASCP began to assess individuals for academic and clinical prerequisites, and those who passed a board examination were granted certification. [10] The initial certifications included a written and practical component. [11] In 1935 the title Medical Technologist (MT) automatically to those certified Laboratory Technicians with college degrees. [9] In 1936, the "Laboratory Technician" designation is retired and subsequent registrants are designated Medical Technologists and the academic requirements were raised to two years of college. [9] In 1938, the Registry was renamed from the Registry of Technicians to the Registry of Medical Technologists. [11] As Canadian pathology society did not have a registry, interested Canadian medical technologists sat for the Amereican ASCP MT certification instead. [8] In 1939, the BOR publishes the first book outlining the educational curriculum for medical technologists entitled Curriculum for Schools of Medical Technology. [10] [9] In 1940, as other organizations began using the same designations, the initials MT(ASCP) were used. [9] [11] In 1944, due to travel wartime restrictions from World War II, the practical component of the certification was discontinued. [11] In 1948, the written essay portion of the certification was deemed too cumbersome to assess, and the certification was switched to a multiple choice and true-false assessment that could be graded on a machine and provide exam statistics. [9] [11] In 1949, the BOR changed the exam format to a 200 multiple choice question exam as the multiple choice questions were found to be a more reliable indicator than true-false questions. [12] In 1949, the BOR also created the Board of Schools (BOS) for registering schools. [12] In 1958, BoR and ASMT assisted with the reclassification of medical technologists, putting them at the professional level in the Civil Service and allowing medical technologists to gain commission status in the US military. [11]
In 1962, the BoR began requiring 3 years of college for the MT certification. [11] [12] In 1972, the BoR began requiring a Bachelor's degree for the MT certification. [12]
There were 100,000 certificates issued by 1975, 200,000 by 1980, 300,000 by 1991, 400,000 by 2005, and 500,000 by 2014. [9]
In July 1991, BOR administered their first Computer adaptive tests the ASCP headquarters for the Medical Technologist (MT), Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT), Phlebotomy Technician (PBT), Cytotechnologist (CT), and Histologic Technician (HT) certification examinations. [13]
In 1994, BOR changed their examination format to Computerized adaptive testing (CAT). [9]
In 2004, the BOR implemented the Certification Maintenance Program (CMP) requiring continuing education every three years to remain certified. [9]
Through its efforts to standardize the training of medical technologists, the Registry has come to be recognized by the leading medical and hospital groups as the only authoritative qualifying body for this field...The Registry, therefore, while purely voluntary and non-coercive, is universally accepted as the authoritative organization for qualifying the medical technologists in the United States.
Marketing brochure,ASCP Board of Registry (1966) [14]
In the 1960s, the BOR Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct placed professional limitations on medical technologists requiring "A medical technologist will work at all times under the direction or supervision of a pathologist or other duly qualified and licensed doctor of medicine, such qualifications being determined on the basis of accepted medical ethics" and that "A medical technologist will not act as owner, co-owner, advisor or employee, or by means of any subterfuge, participate in an arrangement whereby an individual not regularly licensed to practice medicine is enabled to own or operate a laboratory of clinical pathology." [14] In 1965, Janet Higgins, an ASCP certified medical technologist, was removed from the Board of Registry (BOR) because she was employed at a New Jersey laboratory where the director was a state-licensed bio-analytical laboratory director, but not a physician. [14] Though New Jersey has never required the certification for employment, the technologist successfully sued ASCP under monopolistic restraint of trade to be reinstated to the registry with the Supreme Court of New Jersey finding that the "professional status conferred on plaintiff by her certificate is an interest of sufficient substance to warrant the protection of the court." [14] [15] [16] [17] The lawsuit, and the focus on pathologists over medical technologists spurred other medical technologist societies, such as the American Society for Medical Technology (ASMT) to promote the creation of their own certifying boards. [15]
The BOR bylaws were updated following the transition from the American Society of Clinical Pathologists to American Society for Clinical Pathology.
In 1949, ASCP stablished the Board of Schools (BOS) for accrediting medical technologist programs and published the Essentials of an Acceptable MT School. [10] In 1973, following antitrust litigation by the United States Department of Education, the ASCP Board of Schools became the independent National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. [10] [12]
In 2022 ASCP received a multi-year grant over $1M to promote the CDC OneLab initiative, a network of laboratory professionals and testers to support rapid, large-scale responses to public health emergencies. [18] [19]
ASCP offers a number of certifications. [20] International certifications taken outside the United States are denoted as ASCPi. [21] As of 2022, there were 580,000 ASCP and 20,800 ASCPi certificates awarded. [22] [23] In 2023, the number of MLS ASCPi applicants exceeded the number of MLS ASCP applicants.
Outside the US, the Philippines is largest ASCPi market with a third of eligible Filipino graduates applying for the MLS (ASCPi) certification annually. [24] The credential is not required for practice in the Philippines, but is appealing for its international work eligibility, primarily immigration to the United States. [24] [25]
Name | Abbreviation | Level | First Offered | Discontinued | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Technologist in Blood Banking | BB | Technologist | 1983 [9] | ||
Technologist in Chemistry | C | Technologist | 1948 [11] | ||
Technologist in Cytogenetics | CG | Technologist | 2010 [9] | ||
Cytologist | CT | Technologist | 1957 [9] | Formerly Cytotechnologist | |
Histotechnologist | HTL | Technologist | 1980 [9] | ||
Technologist in Immunology | I | Technologist | 1980 [9] | ||
Technologist in Microbiology | M | Technologist | 1948 [11] | Formerly Bacteriologist, changed in 1953 [11] | |
Medical Laboratory Scientist | MLS | Technologist | 1933 [9] | Formerly Medical Technologist (MT) | |
Technologist in Molecular Biology | MB | Technologist | 2003 | Formerly Technologist in Molecular Pathology (MP) | |
Hemapheresis Practitioner | HP | Specialist | 1993 [9] | 2009 | Superseded by Qualification in Apheresis (QIA) |
Specialist in Blood Banking | SBB | Specialist | 1954 [9] | ||
Specialist in Chemistry | SC | Specialist | 1954 [9] | ||
Specialist in Cytology | SCT | Specialist | 1959 [9] | Formerly Specialist in Cytotechnology | |
Specialist in Cytometry | SCYM | Specialist | 2017 [9] | ||
Specialist in Hematology | SH | Specialist | 1968 [9] | ||
Specialist in Laboratory Safety | SLS | Specialist | 2000 [9] | 2011 | Superseded by Qualification in Laboratory Safety (QLS) |
Specialist in Immunology | SI | Specialist | 1982 [9] | ||
Specialist in Microbiology | SM | Specialist | 1953 [9] | ||
Specialist in Virology | SV | Specialist | 1988 [9] | ||
Specialist in Molecular Biology | SMB | Specialist | 2018 [9] | ||
Diplomate in Laboratory Management | DLM | Other | 1989 [9] | ||
Diplomate in Medical Laboratory Immunology | DLMI | Other | 2023 [26] | ||
Pathologists' Assistant | PA | Other | 2005 [9] | ||
Apheresis Technician | AT | Technician | 2003 | 2009 | Superseded by Qualification in Apheresis (QIA) |
Donor Phlebotomy Technician | DPT | Technician | 2003 [9] | ||
Histotechnician | HT | Technician | 1948 [11] | Formerly Histologic Technician [11] | |
Laboratory Aide | LA | Technician | 1948 [11] | 1964 [12] | Replaced by Clinical Laboratory Assistant (CLA) |
Clinical Laboratory Assistant | CLA | Technician | 1963 [9] | 1982 [9] | |
Medical Laboratory Assistant | MLA | Technician | 2015 [9] | ||
Medical Laboratory Technician | MLT | Technician | |||
Phlebotomy Technician | PBT | Technician | 1990 [9] | ||
Gynecologic Cytologist | CTgyn | Technologist | |||
Qualification in Biorepository Science | QBRS | Qualification | 2020 [9] | ||
Qualification in Donor Phlebotomy | QDP | Qualification | |||
Qualification in Apheresis | QIA | Qualification | |||
Qualification in Cytometry | QCYM | Qualification | 1993 [9] | 2017 | |
Qualification in Immunohistochemistry | QIHC | Qualification | 1994 [9] | ||
Qualification in Lab Informatics | QLI | Qualification | 2003 | 2017 | |
Qualification in Laboratory Safety | QLS | Qualification | |||
Qualification in Laboratory Compliance | QLC | Qualification | 2003 | Yes | |
Qualification in Point of Care Testing Evaluator | QPOCTE | Qualification | 1997 | Yes | |
The following lists the eligible programs under accreditation agencies [27]
Pathology is the study of disease and injury. The word pathology also refers to the study of disease in general, incorporating a wide range of biology research fields and medical practices. However, when used in the context of modern medical treatment, the term is often used in a narrower fashion to refer to processes and tests that fall within the contemporary medical field of "general pathology", an area that includes a number of distinct but inter-related medical specialties that diagnose disease, mostly through analysis of tissue and human cell samples. Idiomatically, "a pathology" may also refer to the predicted or actual progression of particular diseases, and the affix pathy is sometimes used to indicate a state of disease in cases of both physical ailment and psychological conditions. A physician practicing pathology is called a pathologist.
Anatomical pathology (Commonwealth) or anatomic pathology (U.S.) is a medical specialty that is concerned with the diagnosis of disease based on the macroscopic, microscopic, biochemical, immunologic and molecular examination of organs and tissues. Over the 20th century, surgical pathology has evolved tremendously: from historical examination of whole bodies (autopsy) to a more modernized practice, centered on the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer to guide treatment decision-making in oncology. Its modern founder was the Italian scientist Giovanni Battista Morgagni from Forlì.
Forensic pathology is pathology that focuses on determining the cause of death by examining a corpse. A post mortem examination is performed by a medical examiner or forensic pathologist, usually during the investigation of criminal law cases and civil law cases in some jurisdictions. Coroners and medical examiners are also frequently asked to confirm the identity of remains.
Phlebotomy is the process of making a puncture in a vein, usually in the arm, with a cannula for the purpose of drawing blood. The procedure itself is known as a venipuncture, which is also used for intravenous therapy. A person who performs a phlebotomy is called a phlebotomist, although most doctors, nurses, and other technicians can also carry out a phlebotomy. In contrast, phlebectomy is the removal of a vein.
Clinical pathology is a medical specialty that is concerned with the diagnosis of disease based on the laboratory analysis of bodily fluids, such as blood, urine, and tissue homogenates or extracts using the tools of chemistry, microbiology, hematology, molecular pathology, and Immunohaematology. This specialty requires a medical residency.
A Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) or Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) or Medical Technologist (MT) performs diagnostic testing of blood and body fluids in clinical laboratories. The scope of a medical laboratory scientist's work begins with the receipt of patient or client specimens and finishes with the delivery of test results to physicians and other healthcare providers. The utility of clinical diagnostic testing relies squarely on the validity of test methodology. To this end, much of the work done by medical laboratory scientists involves ensuring specimen quality, interpreting test results, data-logging, testing control products, performing calibration, maintenance, validation, and troubleshooting of instrumentation as well as performing statistical analyses to verify the accuracy and repeatability of testing. Medical laboratory scientists may also assist healthcare providers with test selection and specimen collection and are responsible for prompt verbal delivery of critical lab results. Medical Laboratory Scientists in healthcare settings also play an important role in clinical diagnosis. An estimated 70% of medical decisions are based on laboratory test results and MLS contributions affect 95% of a health system's costs.
Veterinary pathologists are veterinarians who specialize in the diagnosis of diseases through the examination of animal tissue and body fluids. Like medical pathology,veterinary pathology is divided into two branches, anatomical pathology and clinical pathology. Other than the diagnosis of disease in food-producing animals, companion animals, zoo animals and wildlife, veterinary pathologists also have an important role in drug discovery and safety as well as scientific research.
The American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership association, established in 1950 as a forum for the exchange of information and expertise in the care and use of laboratory animals. Membership consists of approximately 12,000 individual, institutional, commercial and affiliate members. The national office is located in Memphis, TN.
Cytotechnology is the microscopic interpretation of cells to detect cancer and other abnormalities. This includes the examination of samples collected from the uterine cervix, lung, gastrointestinal tract, or body cavities.
A medical laboratory or clinical laboratory is a laboratory where tests are conducted out on clinical specimens to obtain information about the health of a patient to aid in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. Clinical medical laboratories are an example of applied science, as opposed to research laboratories that focus on basic science, such as found in some academic institutions.
The College of American Pathologists (CAP) is a member-based physician organization founded in 1946 comprising approximately 18,000 board-certified pathologists. It serves patients, pathologists, and the public by fostering and advocating best practices in pathology and laboratory medicine.
American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science or (ASCLS) is a professional organization that provides advocacy, standards setting, education, personal and professional development for clinical laboratory science practitioners.
Healthcare professional credentials are credentials awarded to many healthcare practitioners as a way to standardize the level of education and ability to provide care.
A pathologists’ assistant (PA) is a physician extender whose expertise lies in gross examination of surgical specimens as well as performing forensic, medicolegal, and hospital autopsies.
The American Osteopathic Board of Pathology (AOBPa) is an organization that provides board certification to qualified Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) who specialize in the diagnosis and characterization of disease in patients following thorough examination of biopsies and/or bodily fluids (pathologists).
The American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) is a medical society for the medical subspecialty of neuromuscular and electrodiagnostic medicine based in the United States. Members are primarily neurologists and physiatrists—as well as allied health professionals and PhD researchers.
The American Board of Pathology (ABPath) is one of 24 member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties. This organization was assembled in May 1936, under the approval of the Advisory Board for Medical Specialties (ABMS) and the American Medical Association (AMA) Council on Medical Education and Hospitals. It is the duty of the ABPath to grant certification in Anatomic Pathology, Clinical Pathology and/or Anatomic/Neuropathology to qualified Doctors of Medicine and Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (M.D./D.O.).
The National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA) was a professional association for medical laboratory professionals.
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) is a US based educational accreditation organization that accredits clinical laboratory educational programs. NAACLS is accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
The HHS Proficiency Examination refers to an American medical technologist certification offered by the Department of Health Education and Welfare (HEW) and subsequently United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The examination was established under Social Security Amendments of 1972 and was offered seven times from 1975 until 1987.