THE SCIENTIFIC ASSEMBLY

Susan Stalewski, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM

Members will often indicate that they would like to be more active and involved in the organization. ASCLS Scientific Assemblies are excellent vehicles for member involvement and connection with ASCLS on a state and national level.

Scientific Assembly participation is foundational to the grassroots philosophy of ASCLS and supportive of the ASCLS mission, vision, and beliefs. Every member can participate, propose continuing education and ideas, consult with like-minded peers, and develop a national network of professional colleagues.

Connect in Communities
Many laboratory professionals follow Facebook groups and email listservs where participants engage in interactive discussion. ASCLS members can do the same in the Scientific Assembly communities. Active use of the member community facilitates year-round connection to colleagues around the world and gives insight to the world of clinical lab science outside of your local area.

Members can be quiet “lurkers”; can pose questions or comments related to their individual experience; or can offer ideas and relevant information. The Scientific Assembly communities allow easy access to colleagues and connections for future in-person contact.

Settings for community email notifications can be edited in your profile, under “My Account” > “Community Notifications.” Options include real-time notifications, daily digests (consolidated messages each day), or weekly digests. It is best to configure personal email settings to allow messages from ASCLS to avoid community messages ending up in clutter, junk mail, or other folders.

Share Your Expertise
In this past year, scientific assembly leaders and members have participated in the proposal and review of continuing education sessions for the ASCLS Annual Meeting and the Clinical Laboratory Educators Conference. Members have also participated in review and revision of the Body of Knowledge for the Medical Laboratory Profession; supported student participation in scientific poster, scientific papers, and case studies; nominated members for the Bio-Rad Professional Achievement Award; and provided expertise in the ASCLS member community. At state and local levels, SA members participated in program development, recruitment events, and student events, such as quiz bowls.

Scientific Assembly participation offers opportunity for professional, scientific, and personal growth through goals that include but are not limited to:

  1. Provide expertise within a technical area of the clinical laboratory sciences.
  2. Provide opportunities for continuing education in the various clinical laboratory sciences.
  3. Serve as a resource for basic education in the clinical laboratory sciences.
  4. Identify specific needs for professional and scientific advancement. Provide input, as requested, for the development of laboratory standards in the clinical laboratory sciences.
  5. Establish and maintain a communication system that effectively coordinates the endeavors of the Scientific Assembly at the national, regional, and state levels.
  6. Identify talent/volunteers for scientific and professional needs.

Volunteer Opportunities
National Scientific Assembly chairs and vice chairs are elected by members of their discipline at the ASCLS Annual Meeting. A leadership is an excellent way to get involved with ASCLS at the national level. Let the chair of your SA know that you are interested in becoming more active.

Of interest to many is the Committee for Education Programs and Initiatives (CEPI), a subcommittee of the Education Scientific Assembly (ESA). Products of the CEPI include professional recruitment materials.

CEPI is also responsible for learning modules in the Laboratory Educator Institute, PACE-approved learning modules targeted toward all who provide laboratory instruction. These resources are useful to anyone who provides clinical laboratory education and continuing education.

These are excellent and valuable contributions to the laboratory profession.

ASCLS SCIENTIFIC ASSEMBLIES

Join any of the following Scientific Assemblies at no additional charge through the communities at connect.ascls.org.

  • Chemistry/Urinalysis
  • Education
  • Generalist
  • Hematology/Hemostasis
  • Immunology/Immunohematology
  • Informatics
  • Laboratory Administration/Industry
  • Consulting/Quality Assurance/Accreditation (aka, the FAB 5)
  • Microbiology/Public Health
  • Molecular Diagnostics
  • Phlebotomy
  • Point of Care