American Society for Clinical Pathology

Last updated
American Society for Clinical Pathology
AbbreviationASCP
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.ascp.org

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.

Contents

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 ASCP also promotes National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (NMLPW) as a time of recognition for medical laboratory personnel and a chance to celebrate their professionalism and be recognized for their efforts. National Lab Week is held annually during the last full week of April.[ citation needed ]

The current CEO since 2010 is Ervin Blair Holladay, Ph.D., MASCP, SCT(ASCP)CM who collects an annual salary of US$1 million.

Acquisitions

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.

Board of Registry (BOR)

[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 1994, BBOR 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]

Controversy

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) [13]

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." [13] In 1965, Janet Higgins, an ASCP certified medical technologist was removed from the ASCP BOR for being employed at a New Jersey laboratory with a state licensed bio-analytical laboratory director was a not a physician. [13] 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." [13] [14] [15] The lawsuit, and 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. [14]

The BOR bylaws were updated following the transition from the American Society of Clinical Pathologists to American Society for Clinical Pathology.

Board of Schools (BOS)

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]


Certifications

ASCP offers a number of certifications. [16] International certifications taken outside the United States are denoted as ASCPi. [17] As of 2022, there were 580,000 ASCP and 20,800 ASCPi certificates awarded. [18] [19] 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. [20] The credential is not required for practice in the Philippines, but is appealing for its international work eligibility, primarily immigration to the United States. [20] [21]

NameAbbreviationLevelFirst OfferedDiscontinuedNotes
Technologist in Blood BankingBBTechnologist1983 [9]
Technologist in ChemistryCTechnologist1948 [11]
Technologist in CytogeneticsCGTechnologist2010 [9]
CytologistCTTechnologist1957 [9] Formerly Cytotechnologist
HistotechnologistHTLTechnologist1980 [9]
Technologist in ImmunologyITechnologist1980 [9]
Technologist in MicrobiologyMTechnologist1948 [11] Formerly Bacteriologist, changed in 1953 [11]
Medical Laboratory ScientistMLSTechnologist1933 [9] Formerly Medical Technologist (MT)
Technologist in Molecular BiologyMBTechnologist2003Formerly Technologist in Molecular Pathology (MP)
Hemapheresis PractitionerHPSpecialist1993 [9] 2009Superseded by Qualification in Apheresis (QIA)
Specialist in Blood BankingSBBSpecialist1954 [9]
Specialist in ChemistrySCSpecialist1954 [9]
Specialist in CytologySCTSpecialist1959 [9] Formerly Specialist in Cytotechnology
Specialist in CytometrySCYMSpecialist2017 [9]
Specialist in HematologySHSpecialist1968 [9]
Specialist in Laboratory SafetySLSSpecialist2000 [9] 2011Superseded by Qualification in Laboratory Safety (QLS)
Specialist in ImmunologySISpecialist1982 [9]
Specialist in MicrobiologySMSpecialist1953 [9]
Specialist in VirologySVSpecialist1988 [9]
Specialist in Molecular BiologySMBSpecialist2018 [9]
Diplomate in Laboratory ManagementDLMOther1989 [9]
Diplomate in Medical Laboratory ImmunologyDLMIOther
Pathologists' AssistantPAOther2005 [9]
Apheresis TechnicianATTechnician20032009Superseded by Qualification in Apheresis (QIA)
Donor Phlebotomy TechnicianDPTTechnician2003 [9]
HistotechnicianHTTechnician1948 [11] Formerly Histologic Technician [11]
Laboratory AideLATechnician1948 [11] 1964 [12] Replaced by Clinical Laboratory Assistant (CLA)
Clinical Laboratory AssistantCLATechnician1963 [9] 1982 [9]
Medical Laboratory AssistantMLATechnician2015 [9]
Medical Laboratory TechnicianMLTTechnician
Phlebotomy TechnicianPBTTechnician1990 [9]
Gynecologic CytologistCTgynTechnologist
Qualification in Biorepository ScienceQBRSQualification2020 [9]
Qualification in Donor PhlebotomyQDPQualification
Qualification in ApheresisQIAQualification
Qualification in CytometryQCYMQualification1993 [9] 2017
Qualification in ImmunohistochemistryQIHCQualification1994 [9]
Qualification in Lab InformaticsQLIQualification20032017
Qualification in Laboratory SafetyQLSQualification
Qualification in Laboratory ComplianceQLCQualification2003Yes
Qualification in Point of Care Testing EvaluatorQPOCTEQualification1997Yes

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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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anatomical pathology</span> Medical specialty

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forensic pathology</span> Medical speciality

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phlebotomy</span> Medical procedure involving an incision in a vein

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clinical pathology</span> Medical specialty

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Medical laboratory scientist</span> Medical professional who works in the laboratory

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References

  1. ↑ "Fifty Years of Service—The History of ASCP". Laboratory Medicine. 2 (6): 17–26. 1 June 1971. doi:10.1093/labmed/2.6.17.
  2. ↑ "History of ASCP". Archived from the original on 2009-01-09. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
  3. ↑ Bonfiglio, Thomas A.; Nayar, Ritu; Abdul-Karim, Fadi W.; Cahill, Leigh Ann; Filomena, Carol A.; Goulart, Robert A.; Ali, Syed; Atkison, Karen N.; Bourtsos, Eleni; Covell, Jamie L.; Dawson, Andrea E.; De Frias, Denise V.S.; Dieterich, Mark; Duggan, Maire A.; Russell, Donna K.; Riedy, Dawn; Salhadar, Alia; Smith, Nancy J.; Metzler, Rhonda L.; Clark, Jennifer (December 2006). "ASCP Sets High Standards for Regulatory Gynecologic Cytology Proficiency Testing". Laboratory Medicine. 37 (12): 733–735. doi:10.1309/3JA3NWCH2VY9HDKL.
  4. ↑ "State Survey Agency (SA) Responsibilities for 2007 Regarding Gynecologic Cytology Proficiency Testing (PT) under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) and Additional Program Information—UPDATE" (PDF). CMS. December 7, 2006. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 Morris, Susan (January 2010). "Unification of the NCA and the ASCP Board of Registry". American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science. 23 (1): 2–4. doi:10.29074/ascls.23.1.2.
  6. ↑ Damon, Christopher (2009). "What does the ASCP-NCA merger mean for AMT members?". American Medical Technologists.
  7. ↑ "ASCP and CLMA Align to Provide Excellence, Education, and Advocacy for Laboratory Professionals". ASCP. Dec 1, 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  8. 1 2 Twohig, Peter (2005). Labour in the Laboratory: Medical Laboratory Workers in the Maritimes, 1900-50. McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP. pp. 87–89. ISBN   978-0-7735-2861-1 . Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 "ASCP BOARD OF CERTIFICATION TIMELINE (1920s to 2010s)" (PDF). American Society for Clinical Pathology. June 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Rodriguez, Fred H.; Ball, John R. (October 2007). "The American Society for Clinical Pathology: The Pathology Society of "Firsts"". Laboratory Medicine. American Society for Clinical Pathology. 38 (10): 595–601. doi:10.1309/RTKE4EKQ61HMN37U . Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 "ASCP History 1930-1962" (PDF). American Society for Clinical Pathology. 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Butina, M; Leibach, EK (2014). "From Technical Assistants to Critical Thinkers: The Journey to World War II" (PDF). Clinical laboratory science : journal of the American Society for Medical Technology. 27 (4): 209-219. PMID   26084148 . Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  13. 1 2 3 4 "Higgins v. American Society of Clinical Pathologists 51 N.J. 191 (1968) 238 A.2d 665". Justia. February 5, 1968. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  14. 1 2 DiIulio, Renee (Jul 10, 2006). "The Science of Credentialing Scientists - Mending Broken Fences". Clinical Lab Products. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  15. ↑ Kathleen McLoughlin Kenwright (Oct 27, 2016). ""An Examination of Career Satisfaction for Medical Laboratory Professionals Using Wlodkowski's Motivational Framework". Electronic Theses and Dissertations. The University of Memphis . Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  16. ↑ "ASCP History 1994-2018" (PDF).
  17. ↑ "GUIDE TO THE CITATION OF ASCP BOARD OF CERTIFICATION CREDENTIALS" (PDF). ASCP. Feb 2023.
  18. ↑ "ASCP BOC Certification Examinations, 2022" (PDF). ASCP.
  19. ↑ "ASCPi BOC Certification Examinations, 2022" (PDF). ASCP.
  20. 1 2 Finnegan, Kathleen (2021). "Addressing Opportunities & Misunderstandings of ASCP BOC International Certification in the Philippines". ASCP 2021 - ASCP Board of Certification International Credentialing Committee (PDF). ASCP. Abstract 3604057. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  21. ↑ "2020 BOC International Survey Philippines Report" (PDF). ASCP.



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