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Medical laboratory technicians and clinical laboratory technicians
typically hold an associates degree and are members of the laboratory
team. They perform tasks to aid in the detection, diagnosis,
and treatment of disease. Clinical laboratory science/medical
technologists typically hold a bachelor’s degree and use
basic laboratory science to support the practice of medicine.
They are highly knowledgeable and skilled individuals who perform
clinical laboratory tests on blood, other body fluids, and tissue
samples. This is a critical part of health care, as the results
obtained by these laboratory tests are a vital tool for physicians
in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.
Numbers
In October 1999, the Clinical Laboratory Advisory Council
of the Washington State Department of Health conducted a
survey to gather information on the laboratory personnel
shortage in Washington state. It found that while the state
is experiencing shortages of laboratory personnel, at this
point they appear to be less dramatic than the national
trends. While the American Hospital Association reported
a vacancy rate of 12 percent for laboratory technologists,
Washington’s rates were close to nine percent. Because
the average age of a Washington state laboratory worker
is 49, the shortage will likely worsen with the coming retirement
of the current workforce.
The primary reason laboratory personnel left their positions
was for better pay. It takes an average of three months
to fill vacancies. The majority of facilities surveyed responded
that they are requiring overtime of current personnel to
cover vacant positions until new personnel are hired.
Pipeline
Three Clinical Laboratory Science and Medical Technology
training programs operate in
Washington state. Graduates of these programs usually hold
a bachelor’s degree. In 2001/02, these programs include
the University of Washington in Seattle with 44 students
(capacity for 50 students), Sacred Heart Medical Center
in Spokane with eight students (capacity for eight students),
and Central Washington University in Yakima with three students
(capacity for eight students).
Three Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Medical Laboratory
Technologist training programs operate in Washington state.
Graduates of these programs usually hold an associate degree.
These programs include Shoreline Community College in Seattle
with 25 students (capacity for 30 students), Clover Park
Technical College in Tacoma with ten students (capacity
for 12 students), and Wenatchee Valley College in Wenatchee
with 28 students (capacity for 48 students). According to
the program directors, the number of students applying for
admission to their training programs is decreasing from
what it was a few years ago, making it difficult to operate
at maximum capacity.
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