ASCP Wage and Vacancy Survey of U.S. Medical Laboratories

Bennett, Andrea; Thompson, Nancie Noie; Holladay, Blair; Bugbee, Alan C.; Steward, Colette A.

doi:10.1309/lmza19pwjyo5fzqa

Cited by 12 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…To probe the differences between the underlying cognitive processes of novices and experts, we used SDT and DDM analyses to assess the influence of two common cognitive manipulations that are relevant in the clinical context: speed-accuracy tradeoff and prior expectations. Many medical image observers are facing increasing workloads due to the current and projected shortages of medical technologists and pathologists (Allen, 2002 ; Bennett et al, 2015 ; Lewin, 2016 ; Sullivan, 2016 ) along with desires to improve turnaround times and reduce costs. The aim to increase productivity can result in decreased screening times and ultimately a tradeoff between speed and accuracy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We chose to examine the speed-accuracy tradeoff (SAT) (Reed, 1973 ; Wickelgren, 1977 ) as well as the impact of external bias because these factors have relevance in the clinical context. With the current and projected shortage of medical technologists and pathologists (Allen, 2002 ; Bennett, Thompson, Holladay, Bugbee, & Steward, 2015 ; Lewin, 2016 ; Sullivan, 2016 ) coupled with a desire to improve throughput and turnaround times and reduce costs, many laboratories hope to increase productivity by using automated basic recognition sorters. In essence, automated systems have the potential to offset some of the human workload in order to increase productivity, which is largely dependent on the speed with which slides are screened.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The impact of speed and bias on the cognitive processes of experts and novices in medical image decision-making

et al. 2018

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Training individuals to make accurate decisions from medical images is a critical component of education in diagnostic pathology. We describe a joint experimental and computational modeling approach to examine the similarities and differences in the cognitive processes of novice participants and experienced participants (pathology residents and pathology faculty) in cancer cell image identification. For this study we collected a bank of hundreds of digital images that were identified by cell type and classified by difficulty by a panel of expert hematopathologists. The key manipulations in our study included examining the speed-accuracy tradeoff as well as the impact of prior expectations on decisions. In addition, our study examined individual differences in decision-making by comparing task performance to domain general visual ability (as measured using the Novel Object Memory Test (NOMT) (Richler et al. Cognition 166:42–55, 2017). Using signal detection theory and the diffusion decision model (DDM), we found many similarities between experts and novices in our task. While experts tended to have better discriminability, the two groups responded similarly to time pressure (i.e., reduced caution under speed instructions in the DDM) and to the introduction of a probabilistic cue (i.e., increased response bias in the DDM). These results have important implications for training in this area as well as using novice participants in research on medical image perception and decision-making.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of speed and bias on the cognitive processes of experts and novices in medical image decision-making

et al. 2018

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“…Cost is the primary roadblock for many laboratories trying to expand the roles of their cytotechnologists beyond traditional screening of cytology specimens. Using institutional workload recording data and the average cytotechnologist and pathologist salaries from the ASCP and 2009 Modern Healthcare surveys [23,24,25], Root et al [26] calculated the potential value of having cytotechnologists and pathologists perform these duties versus having the pathologists solely perform these tests (table 1). The authors of this report concluded that there was a 96% decrease in pathologist time associated with FISH testing by using a cytotechnologist for primary interpretation, resulting in a 71% overall decrease in salary expenses for the laboratory.…”

Section: Benefit To the Cytology Laboratory And Cytotechnologistsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular Diagnostics, Personalized Medicine, and the Evolving Role of the Cytotechnologist: An Institutional Experience

Kane¹,

Root²,

Voss³

et al. 2012

Acta Cytologica

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The role of cytotechnologists has focused primarily on the microscopic examination of cytologic specimens for diagnosing disease. Cytotechnologists currently evaluate a wide assortment of both gynecological and nongynecological cytology specimens. However, the Pap test remains the primary test for most cytology laboratories. Recently, human papillomavirus testing and newer cervical cancer screening guidelines have reduced the number of Pap tests, resulting in some anxiety and concern among the cytology community. However, as Pap test volumes continue to decrease, molecular oncology and ancillary testing volumes continue to increase with the advent of new biomarkers and associated personalized therapies. This change in clinical practice has resulted in evolving roles for many cytotechnologists. Cytotechnologists have skills based not only in morphology but also in understanding concepts of disease including neoplasia. These skills allow cytotechnologists to excel in many other types of laboratory testing. This article discusses how the roles of the cytotechnologist have recently expanded at our institution to include involvement in DNA ploidy analysis, quantitative immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization, circulating tumor cells, and molecular oncology testing. Lastly, this article discusses how these newer roles benefit both the cytotechnologist and the clinical laboratory.

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“…These high vacancy rates are predicted to worsen over the next 5 years as an estimated 13% of MTs and MLTs retire 5 . Over the next 10 years, approximately 40% of the laboratory workforce will be eligible to retire 6…”

Section: Vacancy Ratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…3 These high vacancy rates are predicted to worsen over the next 5 years as an estimated 13% of MTs and MLTs retire. 5 Over the next 10 years, approximately 40% of the laboratory workforce will be eligible to retire. 6 Table 1 from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the need for MTs and MLTs is predicted to grow by 21,000 and 23,000, respectively, from 2006 to 2016.…”

Section: Professional Certificationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An examination of the supply and demand for clinical laboratory professionals in the United States

Carden¹,

Allsbrook²,

Thomas³

2009

Transfusion

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Medical technologists (MTs) and technicians fill key roles in blood centers and hospital transfusion services. There is a concern that the number of new technologists and technicians entering the field is insufficient to keep up with demand created by the retirement of current personnel and continuing technological innovation. The American Society for Clinical Pathology reported in March 2009 that laboratories across the United States were struggling to fill MT and medical laboratory technician (MLT) positions. A survey of "positions available" advertisements from several months of the ABC Newsletter revealed that 35% were for MTs compared with 22% for physicians and 43% for all other positions. While not a scientific study, on the surface, this would indicate that blood centers are not immune from the struggle to fill positions within their laboratories. This paper will examine current trends in the United States as it relates to staffing for these positions and conclude by proposing actions that blood centers can take to help ensure an adequate supply of qualified MTs and MLTs in the future.

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ASCP Wage and Vacancy Survey of U.S. Medical Laboratories

Cited by 12 publications

References 0 publications

The impact of speed and bias on the cognitive processes of experts and novices in medical image decision-making

The impact of speed and bias on the cognitive processes of experts and novices in medical image decision-making

Molecular Diagnostics, Personalized Medicine, and the Evolving Role of the Cytotechnologist: An Institutional Experience

An examination of the supply and demand for clinical laboratory professionals in the United States

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