Strategic Plan for Laboratory Scientist and Director Certification within African Union Member States Open Access
Kumar, Varsha (Spring 2020)
Abstract
Background: Laboratory scientists and directors are essential to the healthcare workforce. However, inadequate training programs and competency assessment, plus underdeveloped laboratory infrastructure contribute to the lack of a qualified laboratory workforce in Africa Union (AU) Member States (MS). Laboratory staff assessments prior to entry in the workforce is fragmented and varies substantially. This stems directly from the lack of laboratory certification integrated into national regulation.
Purpose: Our goal was to outline competencies that laboratory scientists and directors require with an implementation plan for AU MS.
Methods: Formal and grey literature were reviewed to develop the laboratory scientist and director competencies and guidelines. Each AU MS laboratory sciences regulatory website was explored to identify certification or licensing guidelines and processes. University bachelor and master’s degree programs were reviewed to understand the skills and knowledge gaps in laboratory education. Global stakeholders in laboratory sciences (e.g., WHO, U.S. CDC, Association of Public Health Laboratories, American Society of Microbiology, Africa Society of Laboratory Medicine) were reviewed for laboratory sciences, staff competencies, and assessment processes. Competencies were established for laboratory staff certification. Successful laboratory regulation and staff certification in other countries were used to create the proposed certification system and implementation plan.
Results: A comprehensive set of laboratory scientist and director competencies were adopted targeting AU MS. They were divided by area and skill level (i.e., novice, competent, proficient), with 8 competency areas for laboratory scientists and 11 for laboratory directors. Deliverables included intended audience, means of verification, and application process for certification.
Discussion: Laboratory sciences should be regulated to ensure a competent workforce. We provided competencies to assess laboratory and leadership staff and proposed implementation as part of a certification system. Certification provides national verification of a laboratory scientist or director’s qualification to work in MS laboratories The ultimate impact is the certification of a qualified AU MS laboratory workforce.
Table of Contents
Abbreviations.............................................................1
Chapter One: Introduction..........................................3
Problem .....................................................................3
Problem Statement.....................................................3
Plan Objectives...........................................................5
Research Questions.....................................................5
Significance Statement................................................6
Chapter Two: Literature Review....................................7
Africa Laboratory Science Background...........................7
Laboratory Scientist Certification Systems.....................8
AU MS Laboratory Leadership and Certification.............11
Laboratory Staff Education in the African Union............12
Guidelines for Laboratory Certification ........................14
Laboratory Operations Guidelines................................18
Outcomes of Strengthened Laboratory Regulation.........19
Chapter Three: Methods..............................................26
Chapter Four: Deliverables...........................................27
Applicant Qualifications..............................................27
Laboratory Scientist....................................................27
Laboratory Director.....................................................28
Competency Framework...............................................31
Laboratory Scientist Competencies...............................32
General Requirements.................................................32
Virology.....................................................................34
Research....................................................................35
Hematology and Coagulation.......................................37
Biosafety....................................................................39
Biosecurity.................................................................41
Quality Control...........................................................42
Quality Assurance.......................................................44
Chemistry...................................................................47
Microbiology/Mycology/Parasitology............................52
Blood Banking/ Blood Transfusion................................56
Genomics/Molecular Biology........................................59
Laboratory Director Competencies...............................60
Research/Communication............................................60
Leadership..................................................................62
Emergency Preparedness/Outbreak Investigation...........64
Laboratory System.......................................................67
Human Resource Management......................................70
Financial Resource Management...................................71
Biosafety.....................................................................73
Biosecurity..................................................................75
Quality Systems...........................................................77
Means of Verification...................................................80
Competency Evaluation................................................82
Certification System Process.........................................83
Chapter Five: Discussion...............................................86
Public Health and Policy Implications............................86
Strengths and Limitations.............................................88
Recommendations for Implementation...........................91
Conclusion...................................................................96
Glossary.......................................................................97
References..................................................................101
Appendix....................................................................106
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