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MLSPAG NEWSLETTER

Spring 2012

MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY GROUP OF THE US PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE

It truly is an honor to be a part of such a great organization and I feel privileged to be the Chair for 2012. I am very passionate about serving on the PAG have been active since 2009. A brief personal background is as follows; I was born and raised in Lawton, Oklahoma. I attended Cameron University, earning my Bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology in 2000. After graduating from Cameron, I stayed on at Comanche County Memorial Hospital, where I did my clinical rotation, working evening then graveyard shifts. At Comanche I learned some “mad” blood banking skills as the hospital was a trauma center which had a heart program. After a year and a half of being tired all time (I could never adjust to nights!!!) I accepted a position at the Lawton Indian Hospital. It was here that I decided to join the United States Public Health Service (USPHS). With the help of two PA’s, who served as great mentors, I was commissioned in 2005 and have proudly worn the uniform since. I have subsequently moved on to Pawnee Indian Health Center where I serve as the Laboratory/Medical Imaging Supervisor. I am currently working on my Masters of Science in Occupational Safety and Health. Last year, we saw the billet transformation take place. This was a huge undertaking for the Corps. For the past two years, the Billet Transformation workgroup has been working hard to create more billets for Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS) Officers to choose from. I believe this was successful as the number of MLS billets have increased from five to 17. The results of this transformation are now beginning to be seen. Continued on page 2

Inside This Issue:

1 Note from the

Chair

3 MLS Focus

4 National Laboratory Professional Week

5 2012 USPHS Scientific and Training Symposium

6 Coin Challenge

order

7 2011MLS of the Year

8 Going Green in the Laboratory

9 Voting Members

of the MLSPAG

This newsletter was created

by the MLSPAG

Communications

Sub-Committee:

LCDR Julie Morris,Chair

LCDR Cara Nichols,

CoChair

LCDR Lisa Flores

LT Renae Hill

Proofread by:

CDR Todd Alspach

NOTE FROM THE CHAIR Submitted by:

LCDR Jeri Coats, MT (ASCP)

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Continued from page 1

This year we are faced with a pause for new applicants looking to join the USPHS. Only applications received before December 31st, 2011 will be processed at this time. This severely hinders recruitment efforts since we do not know how long this pause will be in effect. If you know any MLS/MT’s who want to be part of the Corps, encourage them to secure a Civil Service position then convert to the Corps when the pause is lifted. This is just another small obstacle we are faced with but I know in due time, we will overcome it. I believe we all share a common goal, that is to get our voices heard and get some recognition for our profession. The laboratory has always been known to be “behind the scenes” and often overlooked as an important part of comprehensive medical care. It is time we are brought to the forefront. This will require the efforts of each and every MLS Officer. Participating in the teleconferences is one way to show your support. There are numerous subcommittees that could use more volunteers. These spots are not just limited to Voting Members; they are for everyone as this is your PAG. Attending the HSO PAC meetings either in person or by phone shows MLSs are involved and care about what is going on in our category. We are one of the smaller groups, and as such, it takes a little more work on our part to accomplish our goals. I know what a challenge it is to work your full-time job, go to school (for those obtaining their Master’s), and be part of the PAG and its subcommittees. I truly appreciate the efforts of each and every Medical Laboratory Scientist. Your dedication does not go unnoticed To my Senior Officers and colleagues, one of my goals is to seek your continued involvement because I feel this is extremely important to the guidance and mentorship of junior officers. We look to you for your “expertise” on Corps issues since you have made your way through the ranks (not an easy task!), which is something we all would like to achieve. With that said, I extend an invitation for you to be a part of the PAG in any capacity to help guide us through the maze of policies and procedures. This will equip current junior officers with the knowledge to better serve future officers that will someday come to us for guidance. I hope to see as many of my fellow Medical Laboratory Scientists as possible attend the next teleconference on May 10th. I look forward to working with and serving each and every one of you this year. Sincerely, LCDR Jeri Coats, MT (ASCP) .

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MLS Focus CDR Toni Bledsoe

Education: Degrees, Universities, Dates Bachelor of Science, Medical Technology, West Virginia University May, 1986 Master of Science, Biology, Marshall University Aug, 1982 Bachelor of Science, Biology, Marshall University May, 1980

Background: Hometown, Family, Hobbies Hometown: Charleston, WV I was the first medical technologist to receive commission under the-Bachelor of Science benchmark approved by then SG Antonia Novello in June 1991. Family: married to Kerry Bledsoe for 29 years; children: Andrew-25 year old son, Julianne-23 year old daughter Hobbies: hiking, bird-watching, traveling- exploring natural history and history of places visited

Agency: CDC

Current Assignment and what you like most about it: Senior Clinical Lab Research Specialist, CO-5 Job Title: Chief Medical Technologist; member of the Allergy & Clinical Immunology Branch Bioorganic Chemistry Team/ Health Effects Lab Division/NIOSH

What I like most about my job #1- I enjoy working with an international community of researchers. Throughout my career in occupational health I have worked with investigators from China, Canada, India, Germany, Finland, Poland, Zimbabwe, New Zealand, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Australia, Nigeria, and the list continues to grow! #2- The projects are varied and challenging: from investigations in agricultural health workers, to post-Hurricane Katrina populations, to collaborative studies with universities.

Duties: Technical Expert (2005 – present) for NIOSH/American Society For Testing & Materials, International (ASTM) Consumer Rubber Products workgroup and served as Laboratory Coordinator for an international multi-laboratory analytical testing group (2005 – 2009). As Laboratory Coordinator I performed clinical analyses for various studies and wrote SOPs. We had doctoral students, post-doctoral researchers, and guest researchers working in our laboratory, which required considerable coordination/organization for everyone to achieve their research goals!

Previous Assignments CDC/HELD/NIOSH/Analytical Services Branch CDC/Division of Respiratory Disease Studies/NIOSH/Laboratory Investigations Branch/ Immunology

Continued on page 6

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National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week

By: LCDR Lisa Flores National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week is fast approaching. It is an annual event where laboratorians, nationwide, are recognized for their role in health care. Medical Laboratory Science is an unseen profession to many. Historically, medical laboratory professionals have had limited patient contact and therefore, very little is known about this profession. National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week has become not only a time to celebrate our chosen career but also to increase awareness of the profession. National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week originated in 1975 as National Medical Laboratory Week and in the fall of 2005, changed to National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (NMLPW) to emphasize the person whose expertise is needed in the performance of laboratory testing. Beginning in 2010 the organizers decided to use the same theme each year: Laboratory Professionals Get Results. There are approximately 300,000 clinical laboratory scientists in the United States. Since the development of this career group in the 1920s, the clinical laboratory science professional has provided essential clinical information as well as reliable results to health care providers that contribute to the prevention, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of physiological and pathological conditions. Numerically, laboratory professionals represent the second largest sector among health care workers following nurses. The medical laboratory is a $101.5 billion dollar business, representing as much as 11¢ of each health care dollar. Laboratory tests are extremely valuable and contribute up to 70% to all medical decisions made by health care providers. Beyond meeting this public need, the celebration of NMLPW helps increase recognition for the profession. National applicant pools for medical technology and other health care professions are down. From 1975 to 2005, nearly 500 accredited medical technology programs were closed across the country.and the number of graduates fell from 6,121 annually to 2,070 during the same period. (Burgess and Kaplan, 2009) In fact, there is an impending crisis in the clinical laboratory science workforce. One of the major reasons for declining enrollment is that we in the profession are "faceless." The average "person on the street" does not know we exist and therefore our youth know nothing of the profession of laboratory medicine. Laboratory professionals work behind the scenes with little to no patient contact. To help celebrate NMLPW, many members plan displays, open houses and various other activities in their institutions or local areas. Some have obtained proclamations by mayors or governors while others have been featured on local TV and radio stations. National NMLPW has been successful in increasing the recognition of clinical laboratory science among the healthcare community and general public. Throughout the week of April 20-28, the dedication and expertise of medical laboratory scientists will be brought out from behind the walls of the laboratory and into the spotlight. American Society of Clinical Pathology, 2009. National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week www.aacc.org/development/.../LabWeek2009PlanningGuide.pdf Burgess, Thomas and Kaplan, Raymond, 2009. The Impending Crisis in the Clinical Laboratory

Workforce. American Society for Microbiology

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2012 USPHS Scientific and Training Symposium

The 2012 USPHS Scientific and Training Symposium will be held June 19-21 at the University of Maryland, College Park, in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. The theme for the conference is "Prevention Strategies for a Healthy Nation: Building on

the Basics of Public Health."

Highlights of this year’s conference will include:

• Category Day featuring a full-day of profession-specific topics and activities;

• Track sessions covering emerging trends, recent research results, case studies, best practices and more, on a wide range of key public health topics;

• Significant continuing education credits for all professional categories and several disciplines;

• Keynote talks by thought leaders in public health and the Corps;

• An exhibit hall featuring an array of the latest products and services in the field;

• An even more robust slate of 10 pre-conference sessions providing continuing education credits;

• Networking; • And more!

Partnership with the University Of Maryland School Of Public Health and the Indian Health

Clinical Support Center (accredited sponsor)

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Medical Laboratory Scientist Professional

Advisory Group Coin

Order Form

Name: _________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________ _______________________________________ Email: _________________________________________ Number of Coins: ______x $10.00 ______= ______

Send check or money order payable to COF

Please write MLSPAG coin in memo section

Mail to: LCDR Jeri Coats

107 W Husband Ct Stillwater, Ok 74075

Continued from page 3

When did you first become interested in the laboratory profession? I have always worked in a laboratory in some capacity. First as an aquatic entomology/biological technician for the US Army Corps of Engineers while attending Marshall University, then performing laboratory experiments for an acid-mine drainage project in the West Virginia University Geology Department. My career path finally led me to the medical laboratory.

How did you hear about the PHS? My first supervisor and the first researcher whom I worked with at NIOSH were both commissioned officers in the USPHS. Both of these officers encouraged me to pursue my career as a CO.

What are your goals with the PHS?

To continue to improve the health and well-being of our national workers and in international working populations. I want to look back on my career and say, ”I made a difference.”

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The Medical Laboratory Scientist-Professional Advisory Group (MLS-PAG) is proud to announce LCDR Cara Nichols as the 2011 Medical Laboratory Scientist of The Year. LCDR Nichols was assigned to the Northeastern Tribal Health System in Miami, OK for 10 years before transferring to the Jicarilla Service Unit located in Dulce, NM in March 2012. She was nominated by LT Camille Mitchell to receive the annual award. An Officer is selected based on a number of factors including clinical excellence evidenced by quality work, improved outcomes with demonstrated and documented impact to patients, professional contributions, courage and integrity in austere working conditions, outstanding, unquestionable leadership in the Corps and other professional contributions. LCDR Nichols was recognized for her contributions to the MLS-PAG where she has been instrumental in the completion of many initiatives and has served as an informal mentor to many of the junior MLS officers by helping to provide information about uniforms, Basic Readiness, potential awards and job opportunities. Her clinical excellence is demonstrated by her successful implementation of the Electronic Health Record for the Northeastern Tribal Health System in addition to her duties as Laboratory Supervisor. LCDR Nichols also served as a laboratory officer in support of HHS Afghanistan Health Initiative project and is currently a member of the RDF-4 team. In closing, the MLS-PAG proudly announces LCDR Cara Nichols as the MLS of the Year. Her dedication in furthering the mission of the Indian Health Service, MLS-PAG and the USPHS Commission Corps is evident in her outstanding leadership, sustained high level of performance and overall contributions.

2011

MLS of

the Year

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Going Green in the Laboratory Submitted by: LCDR Julie Morris, MT (ASCP)

Does your laboratory have a recycling program? We generate a considerable amount of waste in our laboratories every

day. Are we doing our part to divert these materials from entering our landfills? We began asking ourselves these

questions at my facility a few years ago. Although laboratories pose certain challenges due to biological, radiological

and chemical hazards, we found there are ways we can safely recycle or reuse many materials.

We started by contacting our local waste management facility. They provided us with bins to place in our BSL 2

laboratories for mixed paper, cardboard and #1 and #2 plastic bottles. They also coordinated a time once a week to pick

up these recyclable materials. We only recycle plastic bottles that have not held anything hazardous. The bottles we

recycle have held things such as buffers, saline or deionized water. The labels are removed from these bottles they are

rinsed and the outside is cleaned so it is free of any contaminants and then placed into the plastics recycle bin.

Unfortunately, we don’t have the capability to process glass at our recycling center, so glass bottles are not recycled at

this time.

In our laboratory we use a lot of disposable pipette tips. Empty pipette tip boxes were piling up on our shelves and

ultimately ending up in the garbage, because our recycling center will not take #4 plastics. So we contacted the vendor,

RAININ, and asked them if they had a recycling program we could participate in. We found out that they do have a “Tip

Rack Recycling Program.1” All we have to do is clean the empty tip rack boxes so they are free of biohazardous

contaminants and send them, freight prepaid, to the RAININ Collection Center. We also began ordering their product,

“Green Pack Shells”, which provide a way to refill your existing tip rack instead of buying new prefilled racks.

When our lab supplies arrive they are usually stuffed with packing materials; especially those lovely polystyrene

peanuts. Once again, we do not have the capability to recycle these materials at our recycling center. So, our lab

contacted a local UPS store and they agreed take those peanuts off our hands. We store them in large plastic bags and

when we get two or three large bags full we take them to the UPS store and they reuse them.

Another item that piles up in our lab are cold packs that come shipped with our supplies, such as reagents and media.

We reuse many of these when we ship things, but we still have plenty of them left taking up space on our shelves. We

are currently researching a way to recycle them or donate them in much the same manner as we donate our packing

peanuts.

If your lab does not have a recycling program, I would encourage you to investigate ways that you can safely keep

laboratory waste out of our landfills. It may require working with your office of health and safety to develop recycling or

re-use protocols that work for your laboratory situation. Many of us have regional limitations; some recycling centers

recycle multiple items and others only a few, but it is worth investigating what is available in your area. Also, product

vendors have become more and more environmentally friendly over the past few years; you may be surprised what they

can offer you.

1 Rainin Tip Rack Recycling Program: Questions? Call a Technical Assistance Representative at 1-800-543-4030

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JOIN THE MLSPAG

MEETINGS

Join us via teleconference the

second Thursday of every

other month beginning

May 10th

@ 1400 EST

1-866-882-1054

Passcode: 2066464

TO SUBMIT AN ARTICLE

FOR THE MLSPAG

NEWSLETTER CONTACT

LCDR Cara Nichols

Cara.Nichols@ihs.gov

and/or

LCDR Julie Morris

jmorris@cdc.gov

2012 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE &

VOTING MEMBERS OF THE MLSPAG

LCDR Jeri Coats, Chair (IHS) LT Camille Mitchell, Chair, Elect (BOP)

CDR Renee Galloway, Secretary (CDC)

CAPT Gina Woodlief (BOP) LCDR John Welch (DOD)

CDR Todd Alspach (CDC) LCDR Cara Nichols (IHS)

CDR Clarence Smiley (IHS) LCDR Julie Morris (CDC)

CDR Jane Preston (IHS) LCDR Cindy Flacks (CMS)

CDR Jeff Christopher (IHS) LT Richard Bashay (DHS)

CDR Robin Goodwin (IHS) LT Renae Hill (IHS)

CDR Donna Brown (BOP) LT Alfred Lugo (IHS)

CDR Clyde Darrah (IHS) LT Badatunde Oloyede (BOP)

CRD Debra King (NIH) LT David Young (HRSA)

CDR Shah Khan (BOP) LT Lane Vause (CMS)