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ADVANCE Outlook: Lab Professionals

Jobs Galore?

Published March 18, 2009 2:32 PM by Kerri Penno

How is the clinical lab science job market at your facility? With companies everywhere suffering tightened budgets, salary freezes and layoffs, the healthcare industry is starting to look better and better, according to a CNN article.

The article profiles 37-year-old Tracy Kidd, and her husband, who lost their home after their formerly lucrative painting business took a big hit in the recession. Kidd has decided to attend nursing school to prevent future instability.

Though the article focuses mostly on nursing, there is this tidbit about the lab profession:

"Positions in demand include clinical lab scientists, which requires a four-year degree and an internship."

While it's nice to get a mention, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for thousands of disgruntled painters to throw down their rollers and jump into degree programs. On the whole, people are looking for more of a quick fix. But publicity like this is great for encouraging students to take a closer look at lab science, and the stability of a career in healthcare just might attract some new candidates during these tough times.

posted by Kerri Penno

4 comments

More posts of this quality. Not the usual c***, plseae

Dilly Dilly, ypCSIbJX - yMIWXyTgVkaTJ, ygquIZhLpL August 13, 2011 3:58 AM
GlniTygjoXXIKeEs MS

I've always been curious to know why both ASCP and various MT schools don't do more to promote the field!  I just hit the 20year mark with ASCP.  Did I get any recognition for this? Nope.  Not even a little sticker or a letter of appreciation.  

Part of the problem is that society is unaware that we exist- technologists don't promote themselves.  Hollywood portrays doctors and nurses doing lab work.  You can all laugh now.  We know the REAL answer to that.

I really feel like schools/universities and ASCP should be hounding high school career fairs, job fairs, and anyone that they can get to listen to them.  We are under-represented, under-appreciated and under-staffed.  That's only a few "unders".  

At some point, the field needs to change and in a big way.  Nurses went out and got themselves recognized.  Pharmacists upped the ante for degree requirements.  You now have to have a PhD (or PharmD).  Med Techs used to be on the same path as pharmacy.  Now we are sorely behind.  We've allow big corporations to make lab work a manufacturing environment.  Hire unqualified/low educated people to crank out the work as fast as possible.  We've allowed the profession to become devalued and in my opinion, demoralizing.

Teresa, Virology - Research Scientist, Govt April 11, 2009 2:09 PM
Seattle WA

Hi Elaina, thanks for following our blog! We love to hear from readers, so please, introduce yourselves and let us know what you'd like to see in this blog.

Kerri Penno, ADVANCE - Senior Associate Editor March 26, 2009 8:20 AM
King of Prussia PA

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

Elaina

http://www.craigslistmaster.info

Elaina a March 26, 2009 6:31 AM

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