The world of medicine relies heavily on the skilled and knowledgeable hands of medical laboratory scientists. However, with globalization and a growing healthcare workforce, ensuring internationally trained scientists can seamlessly integrate into new environments is more critical and challenging than ever.
For laboratory scientists in developing countries, obtaining certification can be a life-changing event. Beyond the simple struggles of daily living, these individuals must overcome the obstacles and difficulties that students in the U.S. rarely (if ever) have to face. Yet still, they seek to prove their knowledge and worthiness by seeking international certification.
ASCP is at the forefront of certifying laboratory scientists in developing countries by offering the ASCPi exam. There are few opportunities for students in second and third-world countries to get the quality training and experience to pass the exam. These students come with diverse life experiences and needs but are still passionate about working in the lab.
I discussed the importance of the ASCPi certification with Marion Carrilo, MS, MLS (ASCP), the visionary founder of Trinity Blood Solutions in Trinidad and Tobago in the West Indies, about the reasons why and the need for certification and how the ASCPi is bridging the gap for international laboratory scientists.
Hi Marion, thanks for talking with me today. First, can you describe your typical student?
The typical individuals pursuing MLS ASCPi certification are experienced medical laboratory technologists/technicians. Many of them have worked in the field for at least five years. They love the profession and want more out of it.
In Trinity’s ASCPi Exam Prep, I get some MLTs who have never done an MLT program but want the theory so they can get up to speed with their colleagues who completed an MLT program. These are not typical individuals and they usually have a degree in biological science and are practicing MLTs.
Why do the students choose to take the ASCPi exam?
Reasons for taking the ASCPi exam will vary according to the region and according to the state of affairs for medical laboratory technologists. In many countries, taking and passing the MLS ASCPi is the first step to migrating to the USA as a medical laboratory tech. People migrate due to poor salaries, bad working conditions, and no or limited opportunities to advance in the profession.
In the Caribbean, taking the MLS ASCPi exam after graduating from an MLT program is not routine. Every country has its criteria for being able to practice in a medical laboratory, and in many cases, it is sufficient to graduate from a local MLT program and/or be registered with a local MLT association or board. ASCP is not yet a household name in the Caribbean, so many who pursue taking the exam do it to migrate. Others take the exam for professional advancement.
Migration to the U.S. or another developed country provides them with better opportunities for professional and personal development. In the U.S., the pathway to professional advancement is sure if you work hard. In developing nations, working hard does not guarantee good success.
Professional advancement can be a promotion to a supervisory role or being able to show the credentials of international certification. In some cases, medical laboratory technologists may have been encouraged to get certified by another colleague who is ASCPi certified.
What are the benefits to the lab of having ASCPi techs?
Whether an individual prepares for the exam on their own or enroll in an exam preparation course, they are exposed to systems and procedures not used in their country. This new exposure encourages those techs to be more conscientious in their practice. Having ASCPi techs helps to maintain laboratory accreditation because the new knowledge now gives them an appreciation for working in quality systems. It also encourages the certified tech to share what they learned through preparation with their colleagues.
What do you think the ACSP should or would like them to do to help international students achieve certification?
Recently, a certified individual told me that making the BOC page more intuitive for international candidates will make ASCPi certification info easier to find and understand.
This never occurred to me because I’ve used it for so long. I agree that the BOC page can be intimidating. An example would be displaying the routes in a table form as opposed to the drop-down menus. Have a dedicated page with only the necessary information for the international candidate. So removing newsletter, BOC eligibility Assistant, Categories of certification etc., U.S certification.
Last month, ASCPi BOC created a new Caribbean Advocacy Team. This team will help to provide ASCP BOC with information about how they can best promote certification in the region. As mentioned before, each region has a specific culture concerning the profession, so having Advocacy Teams in various regions is a great gesture.
I really appreciate you providing your experience with our readers. Do you have any final thoughts you would like to share?
It is a great feeling to know ASCP BOC is providing opportunities for techs to advance globally. Some may say they are contributing to the brain drain of a country, and I’m afraid I have to disagree. Instead, they are providing opportunities for advancement as a tech that are not available in the international candidate’s country.
Migration is an expensive process, so not everyone who becomes certified will leave, although they may have planned to do so initially. Even those who leave may return and help their country or provide assistance to their home country from their new home abroad.
Advancement cannot only be seen as moving up a career ladder; it must be seen holistically. A tech working 12 hours 6 days per week and not being paid enough to provide a reasonable level of comfort for their family stymies the work that tech will do and their mindset about the profession. ASCPi provides a way for these techs to move out of such systems and advance holistically in a profession they love.
The ASCP is doing its part to ensure that there are well-trained medical scientists in the world’s laboratories who can provide accurate and timely results for patient care. Passing the ASCPi exam can be, and has been, a life-changing event for scientists working under the most stressful life conditions worldwide. By bridging the knowledge gap and fostering a culture of excellence, the ASCPi is paving the way for a brighter future in laboratory medicine throughout the world, one well-equipped scientist at a time.
–Darryl Elzie is a Quality Consultant for Inova Blood Donor Services. He has been an ASCP Medical Technologist for over 25 years, performing CAP inspections for 15+ years. He has held the roles of laboratory generalist and chemistry senior technologist. He has a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Ashford University, a Doctorate of Psychology from The University of the Rockies, and is a Certified Quality Auditor (ASQ). Inova Blood Donor Services is the largest hospital-based blood center in the nation. Dr. Elzie is also a Counselor and Life Coach at issueslifecoaching.com.
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