ASCLS/HSCLS Membership Benefits
Networking Through Local, State and Regional Societies. No other association for clinical laboratory science professionals can match ASCLS's active local, state, and regional societies - organizations offering established networks for meeting fellow professionals and fo getting your voice heard on issues affecting your worklife. Networking with one's colleagues prevents isolation, enhances professional growth, and furthers career development. Opportunities to develop leadership skills and offer workshops and seminars to strengthen your scientific and technical expertise abound when one is connected to a community of professionals.
Career-Building at the ASCLS Annual Meeting and Exposition. Described as "the premier continuing education event" in clinical laboratory science, the ASCLS Annual Meeting and Clinical Laboratory Exposition offers over 100 hours of cutting-edge scientific and professional workshops and symposiums. The Clinical Laboratory Exposition, a joint exhibit with AACC, is the largest industry exhibition in the nation, featuring the latest instrumentation as well as technologies for the future.
Continuing Your Professional Education. ASCLS helps keep you current in your professional work. In addition to the ASCLS Annual Meeting, our constituent organizations provide local seminars and state and regional meetings to satisfy your continuing education needs. Each year, the ASCLS Education Scientific Assembly holds the foremost, national gathering of clinical laboratory science educators to discuss and share educational needs, standards, and innovations. ASCLS's Publication Department also offers audiotapes, computer software, manuals, and books on numerous professional topics. All ASCLS continuing education participants are eligible to earn P.A.C.E.® credits toward recertification.
Support for Research and Higher Education. If you envision launching an innovative clinical laboratory science research project or if you are working toward an undergraduate or graduate degree, ASCLS may be able to help. Through our Education & Research Fund, we provide developmental grants for research aimed at advancing the profession. And for aspiring clinical laboratory science professionals, ASCLS provides a number of undergraduate scholarships.
Staying Current Through Publications. If you choose to join as a Professinal I member, you'll automatically receive Clinical laboratory Science, an award-winning , bi-monthly journal, which features articles on research activities, technology, education and government actions affecting clinical laboratory science. P.A.C.E.® continuing education credits can be earned by completing the FOCUS self-assessment section found in each issue of the journal. All members receive ASCLS Today, a newsletter published 11 times a year, that provides a timely update on association activities in legislative, educational and other arenas. ASCLS also publishes books and manuals on numerous professional topics at a substantial discount to members.
Your Advocate. As new laws and regulations such as CLIA 88 bring changes to the profession, you need a strong advocate in Washington, D.C. ASCLS's dedicated government affairs team, coupled with extensive grassroots involvement, makes sure the concerns of our profession are heard in Congress. And to equip our members to be effective advocates, ASCLS each year holds a Legislative Symposium. Participants learn about current issues and acquire lobbying skills. They also meet with members of Congress to discuss the profession's concerns.
Promoting High Professional Standards. As a professional who takes pride in what you do, you may be justifiably concerned about attempts (under CLIA 88) to lower the educational standards required of those who perform clinical laboratory tests. ASCLS is dedicated to maintaining the high standards that we have espoused for decades. We work actively with our members to promote state licensure bills that spell out the qualifications needed for those who perform clinical laboratory tests.
Many Paths to Participation. ASCLS provides a wealth of options for active participation and professional development. Whether you want to develop your leadership abilities, advance your scientific and technical skills, or participate in political activites, there is a place for you in ASCLS. You can begin your involvement at the local and state level by joining a committee and at the national level by choosing one of ASCLS's twelve Scientific Assemblies. We know you will find an activity that suits your needs and interests.
Savings on Personal Services. As an ASCLS member, you will receive discounted rates on meeting registration fees and publications. When you make your travel arrangements through the ASCLS travel agency, a percentage of the total cost is credited toward your dues for the ensuing year. Members also save on credit card, hotel room, car rental, drug prescription, and eyeglass purchases. Furthermore, you can participate in the ASCLS insurance program of discounts on health, life, disability, liability and automobile insurance.
A Single Strong Voice. The field of clinical laboratory science embraces a wide range of practitioners: hematologists, clinical chemists, phlebotomists and microbiologists, to name a few. But all share a similar role in providing vital information for disease detection, diagnosis and treatment. All of us working in laboratories face common concerns. And all desire recognition as valued members of the health care team. Representing nearly 20,000 members from generalists to a range of clinical specialties.
ASCLS speaks for all with a single, unified voice.
Membership FAQ
By: Sheri Gon
When do ASCLS memberships expire? Membership expires every July 31st.
Is there an incentive for people who have never been an ASCLS member? Yes, if you were never an ASCLS member before and you join in the spring, your membership will expire July 31 the following year. So if you are a new member in spring 2008, your membership will expire July 31 2009.
If I'm a lapsed member, what do I do? Lapsed notices are sent prior to the Annual Meeting and Exhibits. A lapsed notice was sent last fall (2007) to remind lapsed members to renew. You must pay your member dues in full to be a member in good standing again.
What are the different categories of membership? If you are a full-time student or a student in clinical training, you may join as a student member. After a student becomes certified, and after student membership expires, they may join as a First Year Professional (FYP). ASCLS Hawaii provides complimentary FYP membership for these newly certified laboratory professionals. There are three categories for experienced laboratory professionals. Professional 1 (PF1) members receive the journal Clinical Laboratory Science, the newsletter ASCLS Today, and continuing education notices. ASCLS Hawaii members that volunteer for a committee can earn credit good towards purchasing membership or payment towards Hawaii Annual Meeting workshops. Professional 2 (PF2) members do not receive publications but can volunteer for ASCLS committees to receive the same credit as the PF1. Collaborative members are members of other laboratory organizations (e.g., AACC, AABB, ASM, etc.) AND have never been a member of ASCLS. Emeritus members are members who have retired after distinguishing themselves in ASCLS. They must be nominated by their affiliate organization for Emeritus membership.
How do I join or renew? You can go to www.ascls.org to download a membership application form. You can join or renew online using a credit card. You can also set up an automatic renewal so you don't have to mail your check to ASCLS every year (you don't know how much postage will increase next year). Or you can visit the ASCLS table in the Exhibits area during the May Annual Meeting to get an application form.
I've married, changed my name, got a new job, and moved to another address. How do I get my publications from ASCLS? Every ASCLS member can access their personal information online. If there are changes to your personal information, just log onto www.ascls.org and create your password protected account. You can now change anything in your personal database. Failure to update personal information is the number one reason ASCLS publications get misdirected.
What do I get when I join ASCLS? You get Voice, Value, and Vision. ASCLS is a grassroots organization. That means ASCLS represents you in all matters that affect the laboratory profession. You can voice your concerns and you will get representation at the national level. ASCLS works to promote the Value of laboratory professionals. This message is important to share with other health organizations and the public. ASCLS is forward thinking and has a Vision for our place in healthcare. As healthcare continues to evolve, becoming more complex, and sometimes more integrated, ASCLS responded by advocating a professional doctorate to serve as consultant for laboratory services and interpretation of lab results.