Medical Laboratory Science Graduate Management Curriculum Development Using Managerial Survey Responses

Abstract

A Midwestern MLS program conducted an online survey to assess current supervisor/leads' and managers'/directors' self-perception of their educational preparedness to perform 30 managerial tasks. One-third or more felt at least well prepared to perform training and monitor quality. Greater than one-third felt at least not very well prepared to negotiate contracts, perform cost analyses, determine productivity, prepare budgets, interview applicants, hire employees, write job descriptions, evaluate employee performance, build employee consensus, resolve conflict, prepare for laboratory inspection/assessment, ensure regulatory compliance, develop/facilitate competency assessments, develop/oversee document management, perform SWOT analyses, analyze/monitor test utilization, oversee process improvement, select/acquire equipment, perform equipment/method validation, interdisciplinary team participation, manage projects, and maintain/validate LISs. Investigators also surveyed managers/directors regarding their perceived and expected preparedness of newly hired/recently promoted managers to perform the same tasks. For all 30 tasks, expectations were higher than perceived performance. This resulting data will be a resource in MMLS degree development.