Natinal Labratry Wrkfrce Capacity Assessment Survey f Labratrians Develped by the Assciatin f Public Health Labratries in partnership with the University f Michigan Center f Excellence in Public Health Wrkfrce Studies 1
Frequently Asked Questins Natinal Labratry Wrkfrce Capacity Assessment What is the purpse f this study? The first step in meeting challenges t recruiting, retaining, and adequately cmpensating current and future public health, envirnmental, and agricultural labratry staff is t characterize the existing wrkfrce in these labratries. The University f Michigan Schl f Public Health and the Assciatin f Public Health Labratries (APHL s) Wrkfrce develpment Cmmittee have develped a survey t help carry ut this characterizatin. This survey is directed t yu as an emplyee f ne f these labratries. Yur input, alng with that f yur peers, will be the basis fr analysis and publicatins t help infrm and direct APHL, APHL members, public health fficials and plicymakers as they identify and implement slutins t the challenges facing ur labratry wrkfrce. What will I be asked t d? Yu will be asked t cmplete this survey annymusly using multiple chice and fill in the blank questins abut the fllwing tpics: demgraphics, salary, educatin and training, perceived cmpetences; and recruitment and retentin infrmatin. Yu will cmplete the survey thrugh the secure MRInterview system. If yu have any questins regarding the survey, please cntact: Debrah Kim, MPH Assciatin f Public Health Labratries Survey and Research Manager 240-485-2742 Debrah.kim@ahpl.rg Thanks in advance fr cmpleting the survey! 2
I. Demgraphic Infrmatin 1. What is yur current age in years? 2. What is yur race/ethnicity? Please check all that apply. American Indian r Alaska Native Asian Black r African American Native Hawaiian r Other Pacific Islander White Hispanic r Latin Other- please specify: 3. Are yu? Male Female 4. In yur current PHEAL psitin, what is yur annual salary? <$25,000 $25,000 - $35,000 $35,000.01 - $45,000 $45,000.01 - $55,000 $55,000.01 - $65,000 $65,000.01 - $75,000 $75,000.01 - $85,000 $85,000.01 - $95,000 $95,000.01- $105,000 $105,000.01 - $115,000 $115,000.01 - $125,000 $125,000.01 - $135,000 $135,000.01-$145,000 >$145,000 II. Emplyment Infrmatin 5. In what state is yur labratry lcated? 6. What is the name f the labratry in which yu wrk? 3
7. In which type f labratry are yu currently emplyed? Please check all that apply. Public health Envirnmental Agricultural Federal State Lcal University Other- please specify: 8. Other than yur current place f emplyment, have yu wrked in any f the fllwing types f labratries thrughut yur career? Please check all that apply. Human clinical r hspital labratry Hw many years have yu wrked there? Public health labratry Envirnmental labratry Agricultural labratry Veterinary labratry Hw many years have yu wrked there? Private research labratry Hw many years have yu wrked there? Pharmaceutical/Industry labratry Hw many years have yu wrked there? University research labratry Hw many years have yu wrked there? Have nt wrked in a labratry 9. What is yur current jb classificatin: Please use the glssary fr definitins f the jb classificatins. Please chse ONE that mst clsely matches yur current psitin. Labratry Aide/Assistant Labratry Technician Labratry Scientist Labratry Scientist-Supervisr Labratry Scientist- Manager Labratry Develpmental Scientist Agricultural r Envirnment Assistant/Deputy Directr Public Health Assistant/Deputy Directr Agricultural/Envirnmental Directr Public Health Directr 10. In which area d yu spend the majrity f yur time? Please chse ONE that mst clsely matches yur field f wrk. Agricultural chemistry (e.g., feeds, pesticides, fds) Agricultural micrbilgy (e.g., fds and feeds, animal diagnstic testing) Bacterilgy Clinical chemistry/hematlgy Educatin and training (e.g., lab-cnducted wrkshps; pst-dc/fellwship rtatins) Emergency preparedness and respnse Envirnmental micrbilgy (e.g., fd, dairy, shellfish, water) Envirnmental chemistry (e.g., inrganics, rganics, radiatin, trace metals, air quality) Labratry administratin/peratin Labratry quality assurance and/r cntinuing quality imprvement Labratry regulatin and inspectin 4
Labratry safety and/r security Mlecular bilgy Myclgy Newbrn screening Parasitlgy Serlgy/immunlgy Txiclgy Virlgy Other-please specify: III. Educatin/Training/Certificatin 11. Please check yur highest level f educatin. Please chse ne. High schl diplma/ged Assciate s degree BS, BA, r ther bachelr s degree MS, MPH, MBA, MPA, MPP r ther master s degree PhD, DrPH, DSc, ScD Prfessinal degree (MD, DVM, DDS) 11.a. In what field f study is yur highest degree?. Please chse ne. Bilgy/ zlgy Mlecular bilgy Micrbilgy Bichemistry/ genetics Analytical chemistry Public Health Medical Technlgy Other please specify: Nt applicable 12. Are yu required t hld licensure r certificatin fr yur current psitin? Please use the glssary fr definitins. Yes N 13. Which f the fllwing licenses/certificatins d yu currently hld? Please check all that apply. Natinal generalist certificatin such as Medical Labratry Scientist, Medical Technlgist, Envirnmental Labratry Technlgist (ASCP BOC, AMT, AAB, ISCLT, NREP) Natinal specialist certificatin, such as Micrbilgy, Mlecular Bilgy r Analytical Chemistry (ABMM, ABMLI, NRCM, AAB, ASCP BOC) Licensure by a state entity t practice labratry science Other lab licenses r certificatins I d nt currently hld any licenses r certificatins 5
14. Has certificatin prven valuable t yu in yur current r past lab emplyment (i.e. hiring, enhanced pay, prmtin)? Yes N I have never held any certificatins 15. In which f the fllwing prfessinal scieties d yu hld a current membership? Please check all that apply. American Assciatin fr Clinical Chemistry American Assciatin f Bianalysts American Chemical Sciety American Medical Technlgists American Public Health Assciatin American Sciety fr Clinical Labratry Science American Sciety fr Clinical Pathlgy American Sciety fr Micrbilgy Assciatin fr Mlecular Pathlgy Assciatin f Public Health Labratries Other- please specify: I d nt currently hld any prfessinal sciety membership 16. Which f the fllwing frmal academic r prfessinal curses have yu taken? Curses Curse Taken Cuse Nt Taken Analytical chemistry Bacterilgy labratry r practicum Bichemistry Bistatistics/public health statistics Clinical, medical, pathgenic bacterilgy Design and evaluatin f surveillance systems in public health Envirnmental science/envirnmental health Envirnmental/water micrbilgy Epidemilgy Ethics Health behavir/health educatin Immunlgy Lab quality assurance, missin evaluatin, imprvement & regulatry requirements Labratry design, wrkflw and peratins Labratry instrumentatin/instrumental analysis Labratry safety and security Leadership Mlecular bilgy and mlecular diagnstics Public health administratin, management thery and practice Public health emergency/disaster preparedness and respnse Public health infrmatin management systems fr data handling/cmmunicatins Public health labratry management 6
Public health law Public health plicy in state and federal gvernment Virlgy Virlgy labratry r practicum Writing (grant prpsals, scientific publicatins) 17. Please rate yur level f cmpetence in the fllwing areas. Areas Analytical chemistry Bacterilgy labratry r practicum Bichemistry Bistatistics/public health statistics Clinical, medical, pathgenic bacterilgy Design and evaluatin f surveillance systems in public health Envirnmental science/envirnmental health Envirnmental/water micrbilgy Epidemilgy Ethics Health behavir/health educatin Immunlgy Lab quality assurance, missin evaluatin, imprvement & regulatry requirements Labratry design, wrkflw and peratins Labratry instrumentatin/instrumental analysis Labratry safety and security Leadership Mlecular bilgy and mlecular diagnstics Public health administratin, management thery and practice Public health emergency/disaster preparedness and respnse Public health infrmatin management systems fr data handling/cmmunicatins Public health labratry management Public health law Public health plicy in state and federal gvernment Virlgy Virlgy labratry r practicum Writing (grant prpsals, scientific publicatins) Cmpetence Level 7
IV. Recruitment and Retentin 18. Hw many years f experience d yu have wrking in ne r mre PHEAL? <1 year 1-2 years 3-4 years 5-10 years 11-20 years 21-30 years >30 years 19. Apprximately hw many mre years d yu plan t wrk in a PHEAL? <1 year 1-2 years 3-4 years 5-10 years 11-20 years 21-30 years >30 years 20. Hw much d yu agree r disagree with the fllwing statements? I am satisfied in my current labratry psitin I am satisfied with my career wrking in PHEALs t date Prviding public service is an imprtant reasn why I cntinue t wrk in this career I have a desire t becme a labratry manager r directr There are sufficient pprtunities fr me t pursue higher educatin and prgress t a Labratry Directr psitin I wuld pursue an advanced degree in a labratry science if I culd d s in my current emplyment My labratry prvides a sufficient number f technical and prfessinal jb classificatins My labratry prvides a sufficient number f pay grade levels within the jb classificatins My labratry s set f jb classificatins prvide career advancement ptins, including supervisry and applied Strngly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strngly Agree 8
research/technlgy develpment paths My labratry s current technical and prfessinal jb classificatins supprt emplyee retentin and successin planning I supprt effrts t implement standardized PHEAL jb titles, jb descriptins, and career paths natinally 21. I learned abut PHEAL jbs frm: Please check all that apply. Prfessinal cntact Persnal cntact Newspaper advertisement Internet advertisement Cllege r prfessinal career fair Other- please specify: 22. RECRUITMENT: Hw imprtant were the fllwing items when yu were recruited as a PHEAL emplyee? Benefits package gvt. pensin, paid hlidays, parking, medical/dental plans etc. Unimprtant/ Nt applicable Of Little Imprtance Smewhat Imprtant Imprtant Very Imprtant Cmpetitive salary Cntinuing educatin pprtunities Crss-training pprtunities Flexible wrkdays/wrk times Jb security Sufficient supprt staff t efficiently carry ut respnsibilities Mdern labratry facilities/instrumentatin Opprtunity fr a jint academic appintment at a lcal university Limited n-call/weekend rtatin respnsibilities Opprtunities t participate in applied research/teaching 9
Opprtunity t becme a technical expert in a labratry specialty area Prmtinal pprtunities/career paths Prviding public service Safe/secure wrk envirnment Apprpriate life/wrk balance Onsite child care Access t nline resurces 23. RETENTION: Hw imprtant are the fllwing items when chsing whether t remain in a PHEAL career? Please d nt base yur answers n what yur labratry currently prvides. Benefits package gvt. pensin, paid hlidays, parking, medical/dental plans etc. Unimprtant Of Little Imprtance Smewhat Imprtant Imprtant Very Imprtant Cmpetitive salary Cntinuing educatin pprtunities Crss-training pprtunities Flexible wrkdays/wrk times Jb security Sufficient supprt staff t efficiently carry ut respnsibilities Mdern labratry facilities/instrumentatin Opprtunity fr a jint academic appintment at a lcal university Limited n-call/weekend rtatin respnsibilities Opprtunities t participate in applied research/teaching Opprtunity t becme a technical expert in a labratry specialty area 10
Prmtinal pprtunities/career paths Prviding public service Safe/secure wrk envirnment Apprpriate life/wrk balance Onsite child care Access t nline resurces Thank yu fr cmpleting the survey! 11
GLOSSARY OF TERMS PHEAL Public Health, Envirnmental, r Agricultural Labratry PH Public Health Certificatin credential granted t an individual in a specialty by a certifying bard; requires the individual t take an exam Licensure permissin granted by a cmpetent authrity t engage in practice r activity that wuld therwise be illegal; granted based n educatin and examinatin Scientific staff: all staff wh perfrm labratry services and prcedures and can be categrized int ne f the fllwing jb classificatins: PHEAL Aide/Assistant: High schl diplma r equivalent Entry level psitin, n prir experience required Respnsibilities include rutine tasks and labratry prcedures Grade level equivalent t the cmplexity f wrk and level f supervisin required PHEAL Technician: Assciate degree in a labratry science r medical labratry technlgy frm an accredited institutin Entry level psitin, n prir experience required Respnsibilities include prcessing specimens/samples and perfrming mderate and high cmplexity testing Grade level equivalent t the cmplexity f wrk and level f supervisin required PHEAL Scientist: Bachelrs degree in a labratry science r medical technlgy frm an accredited institutin Entry level psitin, n prir experience required Respnsibilities include thse f PHEAL technician in additin t ther higher-level labratry duties (e.g., signing ut test results in a public health labratry) Grade level equivalent t the cmplexity f wrk and level f supervisin required PHEAL Scientist-Supervisr: Bachelrs degree in a labratry science r medical technlgy frm an accredited institutin r equivalent years f experience Psitin attained thrugh hiring r prmtins; prir labratry experience required Respnsibilities include scientific, supervisry and administrative duties Grade level equivalent t track recrd and time in grade PHEAL Scientist-Manager: Masters r dctral degree frm an accredited institutin r equivalent years f experience Prir scientific and supervisry wrk experience required in a PHEAL r research labratry Respnsibilities include develping, verseeing, and cnsulting n a full range f tests, services, and peratins related t a particular field f public health labratry science
Grade level equivalent t track recrd, years f experience in the jb, and labratry-wide managerial respnsibilities PHEAL Develpmental Scientist: Masters r dctral degree in an apprpriate labratry science frm an accredited institutin r equivalent years f experience Prir scientific knwledge, skills, and applied r basic research experience required Respnsibilities include develping new diagnstic assays and technlgies, researching and validating new analytical prcedures, preparing grant prpsals and writing scientific publicatins as well as prviding technical versight f lwer-level develpmental scientists Grade level equivalent t level f supervisin, track recrd, and years experience in the jb Envirnmental r Agricultural Labratry Assistant Directr, Deputy Directr r Directr: Masters r dctral degree in an apprpriate labratry science frm an accredited institutin Six r mre years wrk experience in an envirnmental r agricultural labratry Respnsibilities include labratry-wide scientific, supervisry, and/r managerial duties Public Health Labratry Assistant Directr r Deputy Directr Masters r dctral degree in an apprpriate labratry science frm an accredited institutin Six r mre years wrk experience in a medical/public health labratry Respnsibilities include labratry-wide scientific, supervisry, and/r managerial duties Public Health Labratry Directr Dctral degree in an apprpriate labratry science frm an accredited institutin Eight years experience wrking in an apprpriate labratry Natinal certificatin and sufficient experience t meet pertinent federal and state qualificatins t direct a medical labratry in ne r mre labratry specialties Respnsibilities include labratry-wide scientific, supervisry, and/r managerial duties