Media Alert—IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Agency decentralizes services to offer improved global customer service and patient safety
CHICAGO, September 11, 2008—The American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (BOC) has expanded its global program from five countries to 28 - offering certification, lifelong education, network opportunities and other services in countries seeking to strengthen clinical laboratories. The international certification exam became reality in South Korea and the Philippines in 2006. Hong Kong, Panama and Guyana were added in 2007.
Global certification effectively offers laboratory professionals around the world the opportunity to earn the gold standard in certification from ASCP-BOC and to reap the career benefits of this distinction. Currently, ASCPi certification is available in the categories of International Medical Laboratory Scientist, International Medical Laboratory Technician, International Technologist in Molecular Biology and International Phlebotomy Technician.
International Technologist examinations in Chemistry and Microbiology are in development.
In April, the BOC Globalization Committee met in Panama to discuss a draft decentralization plan. The plan would help to evenly disseminate international certification responsibilities among the Chicago office, country-specific advisory boards, and regional representatives.
"International certification was designed to meet the global demand for a reliable health care system that will preserve patient safety and standardize and ensure excellence in laboratory practice worldwide. BOC volunteers and staff feel a true sense of accomplishment because we are beginning to see the results of the hard work that went into globally implementing this extraordinary certification," says Kathleen Becan-McBride, EdD, MT(ASCP)CM, chair of the ASCP-BOC Globalization Committee.
The strategy for next year includes satellite offices in Panama and the Philippines. The goal is to eventually set up regional satellite offices on each continent. These offices will provide improved customer service by allowing regional representatives to explain the ASCPi application process in the native language to prospective applicants. Furthermore, they will provide additional support to program directors, laboratory officials, practitioners, and students throughout the region.
For 80 years, ASCP-BOC has set the bar for those wishing to have their laboratory science competencies recognized and respected around the world.
International applicants can begin the certification process by visiting www.ascp.org/international.