Medical laboratory science professionals (also called clinical laboratory scientists or clinical laboratory technicians) are highly skilled scientists who discover the presence or absence of disease and provide data that help aboratory test results. There are several field options available in the laboratory workplace. Two of the options availphysicians determine the best treatment for the patient. Medical laboratory professionals play a vital role in healthcare as the majority of medical diagnoses, including cancer, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, heart disease and many others, are based on lable are a medical laboratory technician that has an associate degree, and a medical laboratory scientist that requires a baccalaureate degree.

Over the last 10 years, there has been a growing concern among employers, educators, professional associations and policymakers that a shortage in the number of clinical laboratory workers was looming. At the same time, the aging of the population in healthcare technology and increases in the number of available clinical laboratory tests are expected to increase the demand for clinical laboratory workers.

According to a 2003 study by the American Society for Clinical Pathology , rural areas and areas served by smaller hospitals, in particular, are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain qualified laboratory personnel. In addition, 50% of all laboratories are reporting problems hiring laboratory personnel. Medical laboratories reported even greater difficulty finding testing personnel for evening and night shifts at 72 and 82 percent, respectively.

CNN Business reports that by 2025, the US will likely face a shortage of 98,700 medical technologists and technicians.

There are a few primary reasons for this shortage. First, the medical laboratory workforce is aging. The average age of certified medical technologists at 43.7 is slightly older than that of nurses, which is at 43.3. There are simply not enough individuals entering the medical laboratory field to make up for the rate of individuals reaching retirement age.

Another main reason for this shortage is thelack of academic programs. According to the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), school closings in the past 15 years have reduced the number of medical laboratory scientists/clinical laboratory scientists (MLS/CLS) and medical laboratory technicians/clinical laboratory technicians (MLT/CLT) being trained annually. This has created the situation where too few replacement professionals are graduated each year to make up for the combined number leaving the workforce. There has been a 70% closure rate of accredited schools for this profession in the last 20 years. In addition to this, the medical laboratory student has to receive training in a hospital or clinical environment and many laboratories are hesitant to accept students for clinical rotations due to insufficient staffing and the budget to do so.

Another obstacle to reducing this shortage is that many students are not interested in the job of a medical laboratory technologist due to high stress levels, potential exposure to dangerous pathogens and a demanding work schedule that often includes nights, weekends and/or holidays.

Our nation’s clinical laboratories are facing a critical shortage of qualified laboratory professionals and the shortage is even more severe in rural areas. So what is the solution? Where does the profession go from here?

First, Clinical Laboratory Science must be apparent as a career choice (other than medical school) for an individual who is looking for a cross between chemistry, biology or microbiology and patient care. If we wait until a young adult is in college, it may be too late. Consider a quote from Julius Caesar: “Aleaiactaest,” or “The die is cast.” In most cases, their career choice may have already been made or they may have been pointed in a direction other than Clinical Laboratory Science. To alleviate this issue, earlier intervention must occur. Teachers at the middle school and high school levels, as well as college professors, MUST be made aware of the profession. Students are aware of “House,” “NCIS,” and “CSI”; why aren’t they aware of Clinical Laboratory Science?

Also, in a policy issued by The American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) , it was stated that “ASCP believes that the severity of the medical laboratory personnel shortage requires the creation and development of federal policy initiatives such as grant programs, service learning, continuing education, and public service announcements.” ASCP has promised to work with legislators, educational institutions and other laboratory associations to help with the education and recruitment of medical laboratory professionals to help address this ever growing national problem. The influence of agencies like ASCP is vital to solving this shortage.

This won’t be an easy issue to solve and it won’t happen overnight. Public awareness of the shortage in the laboratory profession and the possibility of how the shortage could negatively influence and/or delay health care outcomes is a first step. Will you help get the word out?