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Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS). Future of the Professions: Who has the Crystal Ball? Christine Nielsen BHA, MLT, CAE Bessie Carydis M MSc, BHA, ART. Drivers of Change. Evolving needs in healthcare Co-dependent nature of lab (subservience) Setting the standards
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Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) Future of the Professions: Who has the Crystal Ball? Christine Nielsen BHA, MLT, CAE Bessie Carydis M MSc, BHA, ART
Drivers of Change • Evolving needs in healthcare • Co-dependent nature of lab (subservience) • Setting the standards • Unfinished journey of regulation for MLA • Meeting future patient’s needs – impact of Boomers • Crystal ball
Dynamic Health Care-Evolving Landscape • Regulation of MLT (PEI, BC and territories excluded) • Delegation of Controlled Act - phlebotomy • Employer Demand – lazy HR departments • Evolving Technology – lab on a chip? POCT • Aging Demographics • HHR • IPC • Global migration • Starved for clinical placements • Devolution of duties
HHR • Are we actually in a health human resource crisis? • Will the boomers ever retire? • Will MLAs dominate the market place? • Foreign Qualification recognition – we identify the gaps, WHO helps the clients fill them? Role of higher education
Canadian Medical Association Accreditation • CMA approves all CSMLS Competency Profiles for accreditation • MLT - since 1941 • MLA - since 2007 • Ensure integrity of ALL MLA programs – private and public • Certification exam offered to graduates of CMA accredited MLT and MLA programs, or equivalent through PLA • Certification accepted as entrance to practice for MLT/MLA in all provinces except Quebec • CSMLS Competency Profiles serve as scope of practice for MLT and MLA in Canada
National Certification • Creation of National Competency Profiles • Periodic competency profile review- consultative process • Standardization of MLT/MLA Profession • Eligibility Criteria for CSMLS Exam - Additional Eligibility Pathway - PLA • Competency Profile / blueprint for testing • Creation and delivery of national certification exam – often enough?
Competency Profile Review • Every 5 years or when major change to domain • Taskforce composed of subject matter experts • Consultative process – educators, members, non-members, practitioners, regulators, employers etc • Market demand - future competencies, emerging technologies • Major themes identified (feedback via survey) • Draft new competency profile • Consultative validation process with all stakeholders • If insufficient support – redrafted, validation cycle repeats • Process takes 12-18 months to complete
Unfinished Journey of Regulation • PEI and BC are pursuing regulation of MLT • MLA not regulated in any province • Alberta, Ontario, Newfoundland, Saskatchewan, Manitoba all requested MLA regulation but denied • BC/PEI are pursuing MLT and MLA umbrella regulation • No MLAs in Quebec
In Pursuit of the “Magic Bullet” • Rapid changes in technology (slow uptake in Canada) • Focus on molecular genetics, diagnostics and targeted therapies • What is funded depends on province – individual willing to pay?
Sweeping Changes in Diagnostic Cytology • HPV molecular testing vaccines have made great strides in cervical cancer • Pap smear screening on a decline – change of screening matrix, change in screening algorithm – less cytotechs needed • 2014 – Competency Profile review outcome was to expand the scope of practice to include histology, performing molecular techniques, pathology assistant duties and screening of histology slides
Crystal Ball - Within 20 years • MLTs MAY evolve into biomedical specialists – more in line with the rest of the world • Core Lab Technologist (hematology, transfusion medicine & microbiology) • Pathology Technologist (histology, cytology & pathology assistant) • Clinical Genetics technologist (cytogenetic & molecular genetics) • MLA perform (not interpret) most lab tasks – automation
Crystal Ball - Within 50 years • Dark Daily – May 12 – Significant Numbers of Primary Care Doctors Are Uncertain About the Correct Clinical Laboratory Tests to Order • Will the NEW technologist become more involved in schedule of test, referral patterns, advising on appropriateness? Will anyone LISTEN? • Designer genes, diagnostics and therapies • MLTs all involved in genetics?? • Full automation with larger numbers of MLAs • What is the impact of global migration?
Champions of Patient-centred Care • Molecular diagnostics – targeted therapies • Point of Care testing – at patient bedside and homes – QA crucial • Changing roles – outside of the lab and in the communities
Christine Nielsen, CEO christinen@csmls.org Bessie Carydis, Director – Certification and PLA bessiec@csmls.org www.csmls.org