American Society for Clinical Pathology’s 2011 Vacancy Survey of U.S. Clinical Laboratories

Retaining Experts: Retirement Plans of Clinical Laboratory Professionals

“…Given that the current vacancy rates for supervisors are higher than those for staff members in most laboratory departments, it is encouraging to note that 72% of administrators in the 51 -62 year old age group expect to work past age 62. 2 When late career (51-62) respondents were compared by their financial status group, those who felt the most responsibility for their own or their family's finances were more likely to work past age 62. The importance of financial security as an influence on the decision to retire is not surprising given similar findings in other studies and the changes that have occurred in the retirement system in the U.S. 7 When the Social Security program was introduced in 1935, most people lived only 3 years after retiring.…”

“…1 This is a 13% growth in workforce needs at a time when clinical laboratory vacancy rates range from 2.7% to 10.3% for staff and from 7.6% to 18.6% for supervisors. 2 To address the personnel shortage, professional organizations, and laboratory educators have worked together to develop recruitment materials, promote the laboratory field to the public, and provide scholarship support for students. As a result, the number of educational programs has stabilized and the number of graduates is gradually increasing.…”

“…4 A recent survey by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) found that Blood Banking, Chemistry, Hematology and Microbiology departments expect 14 -15% of their employees to retire in the next five years. 2 Understanding more about the retirement plans of laboratory professionals is important in addressing the workforce shortage. If older employees could be encouraged to work longer it could help employers meet their staffing needs, reduce the costs associated with turnover, and retain professionals who have years of institutional and scientific knowledge.…”

Public Health Laboratories in an Age of Austerity

“…Additionally, the average age of a CLS is >50 years, and a large part of the current laboratory workforce is expected to retire within the next 5 years (Garcia et al, 2011), exacerbating an already challenging situation for employers (although the exodus of experienced employees may be delayed as employees postpone retirement to earn back investments and property value lost during the recession).…”

Evidence Based Practice and Advanced Competencies in a MHS-CLS Program

“…In this survey, laboratories reported that the percentage of employees planning to retire in the next five years, as defined by their own internal metrics, ranges from 14.2% in blood bank to 17.9% in immunology. 8 There will be a need to replace these retiring management staff with practitioners who have advanced skills. Beck and Doig reported that CLS educators, practitioners, and managers concluded that future practitioners would need more skills in management and administration.…”