How we made the quality and quantity of applicants soar - American Red Cross' Missouri-Illinois Regional Blood Services

Medical Laboratory Observer, Feb, 1992 by Judith A. Surber

While the clinical laboratory personnel shortage remains a difficult problem in our part of the country as in many others, the local picture is becoming brighter. Keeping technical recruiting a top priority will slowly but steadily enhance the labor supply. Active participation by technologists and technicians tells potential recruits that their prospective colleagues find the field rewarding and would gladly welcome them to join us at work.

Figure I

Aspects of a technical recruiting drive

Conduct a self-study that answers these questions: What are we? What can we offer? What do we want from our employees? Survey local technical educational programs to assess current and future labor pool Join with established schools to: Tutor students, teach courses, and give lectures and seminars on campus Offer workshops, lectures, and clinical rotations at the lab as a potential site of employment Establish position in lab for student technician and/or technologist Form speakers' bureau Create exhibit for local science center or community museum Provide technical training for support staff Survey interest in lab careers Establish MT/MLT programs with flexible hours at both work and school Modify work schedules to offer part-time option for students Offer maximum tuition reimbursement for completing educational programs Retrain workers returning to the field Use alumni/ae lists of local MT/MLT programs to contact laboratorians not currently working in the field Provide in-house refresher courses Involve staff in active recruiting Job fairs Personal contact with students

[1]Lackman, C. We were guest stars at the science center for Lab Week. MLO 22(3): 30-32, March 1990.

Judith A. Surber, M.S., MT(ASCP) is department education coordinator for the testing laboratories at Missouri-Illinois Regional Blood Services, American Red Cross, St. Louis, Mo., and clinical chemistry instructor for the clinical laboratory technology program at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park.