An Assessment of the Workforce and Training Needs of Rural Kansas Medical Laboratories

Alexandra Corns; Letycia Nuñez-Argote; Robert Moser

doi:10.29074/ascls.2025003288

Article Figures & Data

Figures

Tables

Download figure
Open in new tab
Download powerpoint
Figure 1.
Programs where Kansas CAH laboratory personnel received training (n = 171).

Tables

Figures

View popup

Table 1.

Demographic information of Kansas critical access hospitals’ leadership

Measures	Personnel (N = 82) % (n)
Survey respondents’ job title
Manager/administrator	57 (47)
Director	18 (15)
Supervisor	9 (7)
Testing personnel	1 (1)
Missing/not indicated	15 (12)
Laboratory directors’ employment
Contracted	46 (38)
Employed by facility	32 (26)
Missing/not indicated	22 (18)
Laboratory directors’ education
MLT/associate only	7 (6)
MLS/bachelor only	24 (20)
MLS and MLT	4 (3)
MLS and other bachelor	1 (1)
MLS and other graduate	4 (3)
Bachelor other	9 (7)
Graduate MD	12 (10)
Graduate other	13 (11)
Missing/not indicated	26 (21)
Laboratory medical directors’ specialty
Pathology	65 (53)
Family medicine	9 (7)
Missing/not indicated	27 (22)
Laboratory medical directors’ employment
Local	22 (18)
Remote	50 (41)
Missing/not indicated	28 (23)

Percentages may not add to total because of rounding. Abbreviations: MD, Doctor of Medicine; MLS, medical laboratory scientist; MLT, medical laboratory technician.

View popup

Table 2.

Laboratory testing personnel availability and needs

Measures	Personnel (N = 82) % (n)
Number of full-time laboratory employees
≤3	37 (30)
4–5	33 (27)
≥6	29 (24)
Missing/not indicated	1 (1)
Number of moderate and high-complexity testing employees
≤3	23 (19)
4–5	33 (27)
≥6	28 (23)
Missing/not indicated	16 (13)
Full-time employees holding ASCP certification
None	6 (5)
<3	45 (37)
4 or 5	27 (22)
≥6	20 (16)
Missing/not indicated	2 (2)
Cross-trained staff
0	77 (63)
1 or 2	11 (9)
≥3	10 (8)
Missing/not indicated	2 (2)
Open positions for MLS or MLT
None	60 (49)
1	18 (15)
2	13 (11)
3–5	7 (6)
Missing/not indicated	1 (1)
Open positions for other moderate and high complexity testing staff
None	67 (55)
1	9 (7)
2–4	7 (6)
Missing/not indicated	17 (14)

Percentages may not add to total due to rounding. Abbreviations: ASCP, American Society for Clinical Pathology; MLS, medical laboratory scientist; MLT, medical laboratory technician.