Lessons Learned in Student Recruiting

J Michele Stuart; JoAnn P Fenn

doi:10.29074/ascls.15.2.71

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J Michele Stuart, MSPH/HSA CLS(NCA)⇑
1. is Instructor, Academic Advisor, and Program Recruiter at the University of Utah, School of Medicine, Department of Pathology and ARUP Laboratories, Salt Lake City UT
JoAnn P Fenn, MS
1. is Associate Professor and Director of Education Medical Laboratory Sciences at the University of Utah, School of Medicine, Department of Pathology and ARUP Laboratories, Salt Lake City UT

Address for correspondence: J Michele Stuart MSPH/HSA CLS(NCA), University of Utah, School of Medicine, Department of Pathology and ARUP Laboratories, 50 North Medical Drive, 5R477, Salt Lake City UT 84132. (801) 585-5452, (801) 585-2463 (fax). michele.stuart{at}path.utah.edu

Extract

Nationally, clinical laboratory science programs are struggling for student applicants. Major challenges facing the laboratory profession include: 1) low salaries, 2) lack of public awareness, and 3) the myriad of career choices for new graduates. Increasing public awareness and actively recruiting students can overcome one of these challenges. This paper focuses on the successful student recruiting lessons learned at the University of Utah Medical Laboratory Science Program. Specific indicators show increased interest and activity for this program of study.

Nationwide, educators in medical technology/clinical laboratory science (CLS/MT) programs report decreases in applicants for 1997, 1998, and 1999, with many programs unable to fill available ‘slots’.¹ Three factors contributing to the difficulty of recruiting potential students into the laboratory science profession are: 1) salaries, 2) lack of public awareness of the profession; and 3) the myriad of choices for careers that students now have.^2,3,4

In Laboratory Industry Report, medical technologist/clinical laboratory scientist (CLS/MT) salaries were published based on salary survey data from Salary.com.⁵ The report compares salaries for professionals with two to four years experience: medical technologists – $29,877; biotechnology chemist – $41,894; pharmacy clinical research assistant – $38,070; computer scientist – $45,000 to $55,000. Salaries represent a major challenge when attracting science-oriented students into CLS/MT instead of other areas of study.

Low student enrollment, fewer accredited programs, an aging workforce, and skills mobility add to the dilemma of the current national personnel shortage for CLS/MTs. The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) reports a significant decrease in graduates…

ABBREVIATIONS: CLS = clinical laboratory science; CLT = clinical laboratory technician; CLS/MT = medical technology/clinical laboratory science.