Title

Technician I

Entry Level

AA or AS degree

CLT

MLT

• Focuses on skill and knowledge development
• Consults with more experienced team members when necessary
• Exhibits knowledge of laboratory tests, standards,
• Exhibits basic knowledge of professional ethics, laws and regulations
• Demonstrates entry level technician competencies
• Produces accurate laboratory test results
• Adheres to quality systems protocols
• Disseminates laboratory test information in a timely manner
• Demonstrates competency in field at least annually.
• Membership in a professional organization

Technician II

AA or AS degree

CLT

MLT

Demonstrates characteristics of Technician I plus:

• Works efficiently under the direction of experienced personnel
• Performs multi-functional tasks
• Focuses on obtaining additional knowledge and skills
• Actively participates in continuing education
• Active membership in professional organization(s).

Technician III

AA or AS degree

CLT

MLT

Demonstrates characteristics of Technician II plus:

• Experienced and skilled technical worker
• Demonstrates advanced knowledge and skills
• Involved in instruction of new clinical laboratory personnel
• Active membership and participation in professional organization(s).

Scientist I

Entry Level

Bachelor’s Degree

CLS

MT

• Focuses on skill and knowledge development
• Demonstrates entry level scientist competencies
• Adheres to quality systems protocols
• Involved in education of student clinical laboratory technicians/scientists
• Consults with more experienced team members when necessary
• Exhibits knowledge of laboratory tests and standards.
• Exhibits basic knowledge of professional ethics, laws and regulations
• Disseminates laboratory test information in a timely manner
• Offers suggestions for improvement in operations
• Monitors accuracy and precision of laboratory testing
• Pursues continuing education and/or formal education
• Membership in professional organization

Scientist II

Bachelor’s degree

CLS

MT

Demonstrate characteristics of Scientist I plus:

• Capable
•  Interacts with other healthcare providers in a professional manner
• Applies critical decision making skills to reach conclusions about diagnostic testing needs
• Evaluates laboratory testing requests for appropriateness
• Seeks mentoring for leadership
•  Continually assesses own skills/abilities pursues continuing education and/or formal education when needed
• Actively participates in continuing education
• Uses evidence based criteria to interpret laboratory-testing data
• Works independently
• Participates in clinical research.
• Active membership in professional organization
• Involved in instruction of new clinical laboratory personnel

Scientist III

Bachelor’s Degree

CLS

MT

Demonstrates characteristics of Scientist II plus:

• Experienced
• Knowledgeable
• Problem solving skills well developed
• Applies evidence based criteria to correlate and interpret laboratory testing data
• Applies clinical research to optimize laboratory testing
• Assumes beginning leadership role by demonstrating leadership skills in problem solving, diagnostic testing management, and conflict resolution
• Demonstrates ability to interact effectively with healthcare team members
• Acts as clinical laboratory consultant to other members of the healthcare team.
• Involved in education of student clinical laboratory technicians/scientists
•  Active membership and participation in local and state professional organization

Scientist IV

Bachelor’s Degree

CLS

MT

Specialization in one or more areas

Demonstrates characteristics of Scientist III plus:

• Looked to for leadership
• Develops, performs and applies clinical research to optimize laboratory testing
• Evaluates patient laboratory test results and suggests additional testing if necessary.
• Supervises assigned personnel
• Develops and implements a quality management system
• Assumes responsibility for outcomes of the area
•  Collaborates in submission of case studies and articles for publication.
•  Mentors new members of the profession
• Participates in organization wide activities (e.g. committees, taskforces, etc.)
• Leadership role in education; designs, implements and evaluates education of new clinical laboratory personnel
• Actively pursues advanced positions in the field
• Active membership, participation, and leadership in national professional organization at the national level
• Demonstrates leadership in a professional organization

Advanced Practice Scientist I

Master’s degree

CLS
MT

Specialization in one or more areas

Characteristics of Scientist IV plus:

•  Evaluates laboratory testing for reimbursement based on evidence based mechanism
• Actively involved in mentoring
• Uses clinical and other data to optimize laboratory testing
• Counsels patients regarding the purpose and results of laboratory tests
• Interacts with health care team in a consultative role
• Demonstrates leadership skills in problem solving, diagnostic testing management, and conflict resolution
•  Involved in the development of new techniques/procedures
• Leadership in national professional organization at the state level
• Active in submission of articles for publication
•  Involved in process improvement projects
• Presents at state, local and national meetings

Advanced Practice Scientist II

Masters degree

CLS

MT

Specialization in one or more areas

Demonstrates skills under APS I plus:

• Demonstrates advanced leadership skills
• Involved in researching new methods
•   Contributes to professional development in field of practice
• Recognized as national expert in specialized field\
•  Effectively collaborates with other members of the healthcare team
• Active membership, participation, and leadership in national professional organization at the national level

Advanced Practice Scientist III

Doctorate

CLS

MT

Specialization in one or more areas

Demonstrates skills under APS II plus:

• Recognized expert in field of practice
•  Expands the body of knowledge in the field
•  Assumes an advanced consultant role
• Evaluates and documents interventions and laboratory testing outcomes
• Develops and assumes new practices roles on the healthcare team.
• Evaluates research proposals and research designs in clinical laboratory medicine for feasibility and efficacy.