Recent ASCP surveys have shown an interesting phenomenon: The medical laboratory science field is undergoing a critical workforce shortage but there are not enough qualified people to fill the void. A number of issues have led to the shortage including the retirement of baby boomers and lack of funding for educational programs in many of the country’s colleges and universities. However, one of the major culprits is lack of awareness. A survey by the Coordinating Council for the Clinical Laboratory Workforce showed that 76 percent of people in the profession didn’t find out about the medical laboratory science field until after high school. The Career Ambassador Program is ASCP’s initiative to create awareness to pre-college students. East Year, ASCP-certified laboratory professionals share their personal stories about why they became laboratory professionals as part of the ASCP Career Ambassador program.
Career Ambassadors who make a specified number of presentations receive a monetary award at the end of their one-year tenure. They are also involved with making videos, creating library displays and other projects to bring awareness to the laboratory profession. A select few are chosen each year to be a part of a special onsite program to a local high school during the ASCP Annual Meeting.
The goal of the Career Ambassador program is to expose pre-college students to the critical role that laboratory professionals play as members of the healthcare team and in delivering patient care.
View the 2012-2013 Career Ambassadors here.
Applications for the 2013-2014 Career Ambassador Program are being accepted until June 11, 2013.
