ASCP Certification: The Standard of Excellence Conducting a Practice Analysis: A Multi-Step Approach to Survey Design Laura Culver Edgar, MBA, MT(ASCP) Pamela Frommelt, MS, MT(ASCP) Donna Surges Tatum, PhD, CAE Kory Ward-Cook, PhD, MT(ASCP), CAE

ABSTRACT Since January 2000, the ASCP-Board of Registry (BOR) Practice Analysis Task Force systematically collected qualitative data which provided the list of tasks and behaviors that describe three laboratory practitioners: Medical Technologists (MT), Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLT) and Phlebotomy Technicians (PBT). More than 400 job tasks and behaviors were identified which provided the content for a major practice analysis survey instrument. This instrument was designed to determine what these practitioners do, under what conditions they do it, what they must know, and the skills that are necessary to perform the job. ASCP Certification: The Standard of Excellence

ABSTRACT (cont’d) The first steps in generating this tool was to survey various laboratory experts and stakeholders to help identify trends affecting the job, as well as review published results from various educational and professional conferences, such as the ASCP-AMS Educators’ Consensus Conference and NAACLS Futures Conference. Also included in the review were the Content Guidelines used by the certification examination committees. ASCP Certification: The Standard of Excellence

ABSTRACT (cont’d) Qualitative data for an ethnographic report was collected via direct observations and structured interviews (n = 160) at different laboratory settings in three different regions of the country (California, Florida, and Illinois). The completed ethnographic report served as a basis for the survey. The ethnographic report allowed for a method of survey design that was both comprehensive and inclusive of traditional and non-traditional laboratory roles. ASCP Certification: The Standard of Excellence

ABSTRACT (cont’d) The survey topics were first distinguished by the analytical process. Pre- and post-analytical tasks were located at the beginning of the survey. These sections included specimen collection, processing and result release. The next section of the survey listed various competencies to aid in determining the scope of the tasks performed. The third and largest portion of the survey included the core, managerial and technical tasks that are performed within different laboratories. The tasks were divided into twenty-five different areas including, but not limited to, chemistry, communications, and molecular diagnostics. ASCP Certification: The Standard of Excellence

ABSTRACT (cont’d ) The complete survey was designed using optical recognition software for ease in data entry. The survey is fifteen pages, an apparently daunting length, but valuable in its entirety. After the design was complete, the survey was sent to a pilot group of more than 100 volunteers. The responses caused only minor changes to the survey. The survey was printed and mailed January ASCP Certification: The Standard of Excellence

ABSTRACT (cont’d) The survey was distributed to more than 17,000 individuals, certified by the ASCP-BOR as an MT, MLT, or PBT. Every candidate who passed one of these certification examinations in the last two years will receive the survey (n  9300). Randomly selected individuals who have been certified for five, fifteen, and twenty-five or more years will also receive the survey (n  8000). A practice analysis is much more than identifying the tasks performed by these three groups, it also shows overlapping of responsibilities, determines the knowledge and skills needed to demonstrate and maintain competency, as well as compare these facets at various points in their career. The results of the survey have broad implications to present day laboratory professionals, as well as the future professionals. ASCP Certification: The Standard of Excellence

OBJECTIVE  Systematically collect qualitative data describing Medical Technologists (MT), Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLT) and Phlebotomy Technicians (PBT).  Survey instrument designed to determine:  what these practitioners do  under what conditions they do it  what they must know  skills that are necessary to perform the job

ASCP Certification: The Standard of Excellence METHODS  Survey various laboratory experts and stakeholders to help identify trends affecting the job.  Review published results from various educational and professional conferences, such as the ASCP-AMS Educators’ Consensus Conference and NAACLS Futures Conference.  Review of the Content Guidelines used by the certification examination committees.  Collect qualitative data for an ethnographic report via direct observations and structured interviews (n = 160) at different laboratory settings in three different regions of the country (California, Florida, and Illinois).

ASCP Certification: The Standard of Excellence RESULTS  Survey topics first distinguished by analytical process:  Pre- and post-analytical tasks, including specimen collection, processing and result release were located at the beginning of the survey.  The next section of the survey listed various competencies to aid in determining the scope of the tasks performed.  The third and largest portion of the survey included the core, managerial and technical tasks that are performed within different laboratories.  The tasks were divided into twenty-five different areas including, chemistry, communications, and molecular diagnostics.

ASCP Certification: The Standard of Excellence RESULTS (cont’d)  The complete fifteen-page survey was designed using optical recognition software for ease in data entry.  Survey initially sent to a pilot group of more than 100 volunteers. The responses caused only minor changes to the survey.  January 2002, the survey (Figure 1) was distributed to more than 17,000 individuals, certified by the ASCP-BOR as an MT, MLT, or PBT.  Each candidate who passed one of these certification examinations in the last two years (n  9300).  Randomly selected individuals who had been certified for five, fifteen, and twenty-five or more years (n  8000).

ASCP Certification: The Standard of Excellence > FIGURE 1: PRACTICE ANALYSIS SURVEY

ASCP Certification: The Standard of Excellence CONCLUSIONS  A practice analysis is much more than identifying the tasks performed by these three groups, it also:  shows overlapping of responsibilities  determines the knowledge and skills needed to demonstrate and maintain competency  compares these facets at various points in their career.  Results of the survey will have broad implications to present day laboratorians, as well as future professionals.  The ethnographic report allowed for a method of survey design that was both comprehensive and inclusive of traditional and non-traditional laboratory roles.