4 ADVANCE FOR MEDICAL LABORATORY PROFESSIONALS GUEST EDITORIAL FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016 / Do We Practice What We Preach? Clinical laboratorians sometimes complain, “Well, they didn’t ask the lab!” As someone who has held administrative positions outside the laboratory, I noticed very quickly the lab was not present at the table for many decisions. Having come from the lab, I was not totally surprised. What really shocked me, however, was the claim from other stakeholders that the lab seemed disinterested and did not volunteer—even when asked. I was able to validate that reality when I personally asked the lab for input, asked lab representatives to join hospital-wide teams, to offer suggestions and to weigh in on decisions affecting them. The response was often lukewarm at best. The other responsibility of wanting to be taken seriously and to make decisions regarding our practice is that we have to be believable and put our money where our mouth is. If we are to be credible experts, we must be certified and maintain current competency through continuing education. It is irresponsible to support the contention that passing one examination 15 or 20 years ago affords anyone current competence. The vast amount of recently discovered knowledge and technological advances require much more currency than that. Ongoing education is essential to offer yourself up as an expert with any degree of confidence and credibility. Anything less is dishonest and unfair to those we serve. Another aspect of being the expert is being willing to put your foot down and call the shots when necessary in the interest of patient care, safety or ethics. When clinical lab services are being inappropriately used or prudent practices are not being followed, you should be willing to audit, document, educate—and even report—rather than simply grumble or concede. HOW TO CONTACT US: Merion Matters, ADVANCE for Medical Laboratory Professionals. 2900 Horizon Drive, King of Prussia, PA 19406-0956, (610) 278-1400, www.advanceweb.com, For a FREE subscription: (800) 355-1088, To place a calendar, display or recruitment ad, or to contact the editorial department: (800) 355-5627 PRESIDENT Ann Wiest Kielinski GENERAL MANAGER W.M. “Woody” Kielinski EDITORIAL Editor: Kerri Hatt khatt@advanceweb.com Associate Editor: Michael Jones mjones@advanceweb.com Web Director: Jennifer Montone jmontone@advanceweb.com DESIGN Design Director: Walt Saylor Mac Tech Manager & Production: Michael Galban Production Manager: Cheryl A. Drotar MARKETING Marketing Director: Maria Senior Events Manager: Laura Smith ADMINISTRATION Senior Recruiter Ellen Spiegel Director Sales Administration: Mike Connor MEDIA & MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES Media Operations Manager: Sofia Goller sgoller@advanceweb.com HEALTHCARE FACILITY ADVERTISING Group Sales Managers: Amy Sherlock, Ken Burd DISPLAY ADVERTISING Associate Publisher: Clark Celmayster National Account Executive: Thomas Neely EDUCATION ADVERTISING Senior Account Executive: Christine Hudak CUSTOM PROMOTIONS Sales Manager: Mike Kerr If we are to be credible experts, then we must be certified and maintain current competency through continuing education.”
ADVANCE for Medical Laboratory Professionals • February/March 2016
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