CLS Entry Level Competencies in Flow Cytometry

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To define entry level competencies in flow cytometry for CLS generalists.

DESIGN: Flow cytometry practitioners completed an electronic survey. Of 134 respondents, 131 met the desired demographics and were analyzed.

SETTING: Links to the survey were mailed to 3 listservs (Medlab-L, CLSEduc, Purdue Cytometry) and 2 email groups (ASCLS and AMLI). Participants completed the survey on-line.

PARTICIPANTS: The target population was flow cytometry practitioners who had experienced CLS education, earned certification and practiced at least one year in flow. Survey instructions asked participants not to complete the survey if they did not meet the demographic criteria.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A competency was deemed important at entry level if ≥50% of respondents agreed.

RESULTS: There was strong consensus (62-87%) that entry level CLS generalists should be able to 1) perform HIV CD4/CD8 monitoring, 2) gate cell populations using forward/side scatter and CD45/bright/dim markers and 3) evaluate specimen acceptability. Concepts to understand included leukemia immunophenotyping, quality control and instrument principles (61-83%). Most respondents (74%) felt that memorization of the leukemic CD panels was unnecessary. However, survey results indicated that the markers and cell type associations to memorize are CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19/20, CD34, CD45 and light chains. Hands-on experience with instruments was not identified as critical.

CONCLUSION: CLS educational programs can deliver almost all flow cytometry content in the didactic portion of the curriculum and can restrict CD marker memorization to a limited list. At minimum, HIV monitoring via CD4/CD8 counts and concepts of leukemia immunophenotyping should be included.

ABBREVIATIONS: AMLI- Association of Medical Laboratory Immunologists, ASCLS- American Society of Clinical Laboratory Science, ASCP- American Society of Clinical Pathology, CD – Cluster of differentiation, CLS - Clinical Lab Science, CLSEduc- Clseduc{at}list.apsu.edu, CLSI - Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute, DNA- Deoxyribonucleic acid, EDTA- Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, HIV- Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HLA- Human Leukocyte Antigen, Medlab-L- Medlab-L{at}listserv.buffalo.edu, NCA – National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel, PNH – Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria, Purdue Cytometry - Cytometry{at}lists.purdue.edu.