APHL 2021 Poster Abstracts distinction critically time-sensitive . Simultaneous determination of the α-globin can provide supplemental prognostic information . Rapidly differentiating between Hb SS and other forms of SCD that can give an “ FS ” pattern on NBS is necessary to provide appropriate genetic counseling . Moreover , a correct genetic diagnosis will permit early , pre-symptomatic therapy and prevent children with Hb S / HPFH from incorrect therapy .
Presenter : Lisa Shook , Cincinnati Children ’ s Hospital Medical Center , lisa . shook @ cchmc . org
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT / TRAINING
Investing in the Future of the Public Health Laboratory Workforce : Results of a Training Needs Assessment in New Jersey
S . Mikorski , T . Frez , R . Siderits , A . L . Dimalaluan , M . Carayannopoulos , J . Mikita and R . Rees , New Jersey Public Health Environmental Laboratory , Ewing , NJ
A training needs assessment ( TNA ) is a process that identifies the “ gap ” or needs between ( knowledge and skills ) performance required and the actual performance . If it exists , this process aids in determining what training is needed to fill the gap . The results allow the training manager to set the training goals by answering two very basic questions : what needs to be done , and why is it not being done now ?
Recently published Training Needs Assessments from APHL ( 2018 ) and other state public health laboratories were utilized to determine broad categories of need in the areas of Quality Assurance , Basic Molecular Methods , Sequencing and Bioinformatics . Based on these assessments , the NJ Public Health and Environmental laboratories designed a four-part NoviSurvey for scientific and technical personnel in the Public Health Laboratory Services and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Services divisions . Sixty-seven personnel with the following titles were surveyed on the first two parts , Quality Assurance and Basic Molecular Methods : Laboratory Technicians , Microbiologists , Research Scientists and Clinical Laboratory Evaluators . The survey measured the participants ’ perceived need against specific knowledge and skills objectives using a five-point Likert scale . Demographic data such as title and organizational unit were collected . An endpoint of 84 % participation was established .
In order to translate the scores on the 1-5 Likert scale to actionable workforce development training mitigations , the data was grouped into three categories : No training required ( scores of 4-5 ), Refresher or Review training required ( score of 3 ), or Full training required ( scores of 1-2 ). The percentages for each actionable training mitigation were then used to determine the objectives for the curriculum . If 80-100 % of responders answered 4 or 5 to an objective , training would not be required ; if less than 40 % of responses were 4 or 5 , then a full training would be offered .
The QA survey results revealed most participants indicating a need for training on all but three of the QA Skills objectives . This showed that the learning objectives identified by Subject Matter Experts for inclusion in a training program were of value to the survey participant . Based on these results , a series of 20-minute online learning modules on the basics of Quality Assurance are in development . A similar approach for this same demographic is planned for the Basic Molecular Methods content . Information from a TNA allows organizations to address training needs by selecting the appropriate resources , developing a curriculum of study , closing training gaps and shaping the next generation of laboratorians .
Presenter : Tiffany Frez , New Jersey Public Health Environmental Laboratory , tiffany . frez @ doh . nj . gov
CDC ’ s OneLab Network as a Unified Response to Training Needs Within the Laboratory Community
R . Ned-Sykes , K . Winter , B . Mikel , L . Evans , A . Boone McKnight , S . O ’ Connell , and Y . Wilkins , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta , GA
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the importance of the connections and dependencies between public health , clinical , and commercial laboratories in an unprecedented way . CDC has leveraged this opportunity to strengthen the needed interconnection between laboratories and CDC to collectively and more effectively support rapid , large-scale public health responses . The OneLab Network , one component of CDC ’ s OneLab Initiative , was established in February 2021 with representatives from laboratory professional organizations , clinical laboratories , and others with responsibility for education and training of clinical laboratory professionals . The short-term goals of the network are to : 1 ) identify and respond to urgent COVID-19 training needs for clinical laboratory professionals ; and to 2 ) share and widely disseminate free education and training resources to help learners prepare for challenges related to COVID-19 and other public health emergencies . The network will serve as an ongoing learning community , connecting professionals with a role in the training and continuing education of the clinical laboratory community . Membership as of Feb . 23 , 2021 consisted of 1,645 people representing laboratories across all regions of the US . The majority ( 75 %) of members work primarily in a laboratory setting ( 11 % of which are from public health laboratories ), although professional organizations , government , academia , and others are represented . Members have a variety of responsibilities in developing , delivering , recommending , or providing content for trainings internal or external to their organizations . Approximately 33 % of members spent at least half of their current work focused on COVID-19 testing and response . Shortly after the network kickoff , an online COVID-19 training needs assessment survey was sent to all members . Seven focus groups were also held to gather more in-depth feedback on COVID-19 training needs . We will present findings from the survey and focus groups ( both of which will be completed by Feb . 26 ). Informed by this training needs assessment and other feedback , DLS is creating COVID-19 education resources such as job aids , webinars , videos , and micro-learning resources that will be publicly available online . In the long term , the OneLab Network will provide a community of practice to help public health , clinical , and commercial laboratories , along with CDC , continue to strengthen emergency preparedness and response capacity during the current COVID-19 pandemic and future emergency responses .
Presenter : Renee Ned-Sykes , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , rin1 @ cdc . gov
Workforce Development / Training
|
|
|
Summer 2021 LAB MATTERS 67 |