How You Can Get Medical Laboratory Assistant Certification through ASCP
Contents
- Introduction:
- What is the ASCP?:
- Who is eligible for certification?:
- How to become certified?:
- What are the benefits of certification?:
- What is the cost of certification?:
- What is the process for certification?:
- What are the requirements for certification?:
- How long is certification valid?:
- Why get certified?:
How You Can Get medical laboratory assistant Certification through ASCP
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Introduction:
medical laboratory assistant Certification is attained by passing an examination administered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP). The certification is recognized worldwide and is necessary for employment in many laboratories.
What is the ASCP?:
The ASCP is a professional certification organization that offers the medical laboratory assistant certification.
Who is eligible for certification?:
You may be eligible for certification through ASCP if you have completed an accredited medical laboratory training program or if you have at least one year of full-time work experience in the field.
How to become certified?:
The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) offers the medical laboratory assistant (MLA) certification for candidates who have completed a medical laboratory assistant training program and have less than five years of full-time work experience as an MLS. Candidates must also pass the ASCP MLT exam. The BOC also offers the Specialist in Microbiology (SM) and Specialist in Histocompatibility (SH) certifications to MLSs with more than five years of full-time work experience.
What are the benefits of certification?:
ASCP certification can offer a number of benefits to Medical laboratory assistants Certification can provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to your career, as well as your professional competence. In addition, certification can give you a competitive edge in the job market and may lead to higher salaries and career advancement.
What is the cost of certification?:
ASCP offers several different ways for you to become certified. The most common is taking the Board of Certification (BOC) exam, but there are other ways to qualify. Typically, the cost of taking the exam is around $300, but it may be less if you are a member of ASCP. There are also often promotions and discounts available, so it’s worth checking the website frequently.
Other ways to become certified include having your credentials reviewed and approved by ASCP’s Certification Board, or providing documentation that you have met all of the requirements for certification through another recognized organization. For more information on these alternatives, please visit ASCP’s website or contact them directly.
What is the process for certification?:
ASCP Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC) offers the Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) certification. The MLS certification is a voluntary credential that signifies demonstrated competence in medical laboratory science and is recognized by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) as meeting personnel qualification standards. The ASCP-BOC also offers the Specialist in Microbiology (SM) credential for medical technologists who perform predominantly microbiology testing.
ASCP-BOC’s certification process for the MLA and SM credentials has two steps:
Step 1: Determine Eligibility
To be eligible for ASCP-BOC Certification, applicants must meet one of the following eligibility requirements:
-Have completed an accredited educational program within the past five years
-Have completed at least one year of full-time work experience within the past five years in a position where they performed the majority of tasks required of an MLS or SM
Step 2: Complete an Application and Schedule an Exam Date
After you have determined your eligibility, you will need to complete an online application and pay a fee. Once your application has been processed, you will be able to schedule a date for your computer-based examination.
What are the requirements for certification?:
ASCP offers the Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) certification for candidates who perform limited technical tasks in the medical laboratory. To become certified, individuals must meet experience and education requirements and pass an exam. The certification is valid for five years, after which point recertification is required.
To be eligible for certification, candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent, plus completion of an accredited MLT program OR one year of full-time work experience in a clinical laboratory within the past five years. Candidates with two years of full-time work experience are not required to have completed an accredited program. However, they must meet all other eligibility requirements, including passing the certification exam.
The ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) offers examinations twice a year at test sites around the world. Certification exams are administered by computer-based testing (CBT).
How long is certification valid?:
ASCP certification is valid for three years. You will need to renew your certification every three years in order to maintain an active status. You can renew your certification online through the ASCP website. You will need to login to your account and follow the instructions on how to renew your certification.
Why get certified?:
ASCP certification is respected throughout the medical community as a gold standard for those working in clinical laboratories.
ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) certification is the only certification available for medical laboratory professionals that is nationally recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
ASCP BOC certification are highly sought after by employers nationwide. A recent survey conducted by Advance for Medical Laboratory Professionals found that 91% of laboratory managers said they prefer to hire certified medical laboratory personnel.
By becoming certified, you demonstrate to potential employers that you have achieved a level of knowledge and competence required to perform your job at the highest level. Employers are willing to compensate ASCP BOC certified employees with higher starting salaries and faster rate of promotion than their non-certified counterparts