The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences

Philosophy of Accreditation

And Approval

Required Materials

• NAACLS Mission Statement

• Guide to Accreditation

• Guide to Approval

• www.naacls.org

Learning Outcomes

1. State the NAACLS philosophy of accreditation.

2. Identify the steps in the NAACLS approval process.

3. Identify the steps in the NAACLS accreditation process.

4. List the parties that are responsible for review in each steps of the approval and accreditation processes.

5. State the ultimate goal of the accreditation process as defined by NAACLS.

Accreditation and Approval

• Processes of external peer review which publicly recognize educational programs that meet established qualifications and standards.

• Accreditation and approval are voluntary processes.

• Accreditation and approval assure potential students and employers that the program is structured to meet nationally accepted minimum career entry level competencies.

NAACLS Philosophy of Accreditation/Approval

NAACLS is dedicated to peer review as the foundation for accreditation and approval of programs.

NAACLS strives to prepare volunteer reviewers and to help them in provide exemplary program analysis, based on principles of honesty, fairness, objectivity, and integrity.

Approval versus Accreditation• Approval programs are

non-degreed– Certificate on successful

completion– Enter with a HS diploma

• Do not require a site visit• Often much shorter time

frame for completion – weeks to months

• Curriculum is focused or limited

• Phlebotomy and Clinical Laboratory Assistant

• Accredited programs may be – certificate (if individual is

already degreed) – or degreed (AA or BS/BA)

• Requires a site visit• Often 1 to 2 years in

length• Curriculum covers the

entire discipline• MLS, MLT, CG, DMS, HT,

HTL, and Path A

Steps in the Approval Process

Steps in the Accreditation Process

Roles of Peer Reviewers

Self-Study Reviewer Reviews the submitted self-study to determine its completeness, &, for approved programs, to demonstrate compliance with Standards

Site Visitor (accredited programs only)

Makes an on-site visit to verify and supplement the self-study review, through interviews & observation

RCAP Committee (accredited programs) or PARC Committee (approved Programs

Reviews the Self-Study Report, the Site Visit Report and the program’s responses to determine compliance, non-compliance or marginal compliance. Makes recommendation to Board

BOD Quality Assurance Committee

Reviews recommendations to determine consistency with Standards and policies

Board of Directors Makes final decision on accreditation

Goal of NAACLS Accreditation and Approval

All of these parties are dedicated to a common goal, quality enhancement of laboratory education.

For additional information on accreditation or approval, refer

to these modules…

• Process of Initial and Continuing Accreditation

• Process of Initial and Continuing Approval

Learning Assessment #1

NAACLS philosophy of accreditation is based on review processes conducted by:

a. staff

b. university deans

c. peers

d. pathologists

Learning Assessment #2

In the approval process for a phlebotomy program, which entity evaluates the self-study review and the program response for compliance with standards?

•a. Site visitor

•b. RCAP

•c. PARC

•d. Quality Assurance

Learning Assessment #3

The final goal of the NAACLS accreditation process is to:

a. enhance the quality of laboratory education programs

b. prepare volunteers to analyze programs

c. clarify issues identified with programs

d. identify programs that are non-compliant with the Standards