Training Technologists for the Genomic Age

Tootie Tatum; Ericka Hendrix

doi:10.29074/ascls.19.3.148

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Tootie Tatum, PhD CLSp(MB) MP(ASCP)⇑
1. is Assistant Professor and Assistant Program Director, Department of Laboratory Sciences and Primary Care, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock TX
Ericka Hendrix, MS CLSp(MB)
1. is Clinical Coordinator and Academic Instructor, Department of Laboratory Sciences and Primary Care, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock TX

Address for correspondence: Tootie Tatum PhD CLSp(MB) MP(ASCP), Department of Laboratory Sciences and Primary Care, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Stop 6281, Lubbock TX 79430. (806) 743-4138, (806)-743-3249 (fax). tootie.tatum{at}ttuhsc.edu

Extract

Molecular techniques are playing an ever-increasing role in all areas of anatomic and clinical pathology. The field is currently in need of well-trained technologists in this area of the clinical laboratory who are situated to bridge the current state of practice and the continuing developments in high complexity testing. For the close term, use of “home-brew” and analyte specific reagents (ASR)-based tests will require well-trained personnel with strong biomedical science backgrounds and a thorough understanding of technologies used in assay development. Here, we discuss the selection and evaluation of molecular diagnostic training preceptor sites and tasks indicated for trainees that most meet the needs of the newest facet of the laboratory. We present evaluation tools developed over the course of four years of clinical education used to assess practical performance of trainees in a molecular diagnostic pathology laboratory and conclude with considerations for future training of laboratory technologists.

Over the past few years, the clinical laboratory has seen an explosion in the number of tests based upon DNA and RNA analysis. For the first time in the history of the diagnostic laboratory, molecular pathology is extending the range of information available to physicians, research scientists, and other health professionals. The completion of a draft sequence of the human genome and the wealth of technology to arise out of that effort has moved from the research bench to the clinical laboratory bench with swift success. It is now commonplace for a molecular diagnostics laboratory to have the capability to provide diagnostic…

ABBREVIATIONS: ASR = analyte specific reagents; BMC = below minimum competency; DMS = diagnostic molecular scientist; MSMP = Master of Science Program in Molecular Pathology; NAACLS = National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences; PAS = performs above standards; PCR = polymerase chain reaction; TTUHSC = Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.