Clinic Assistants

We have started using "Testing Techs" which have a science degree but no medical background. Some were hired to work with the carrot of financial help while getting their MLT/CLS degree on-line. The techs run testing under supervision and can release test results that do not have flags or issues. They do not perform microscope work (reading diffs) but help with getting the routine work out, plus other things like reagent inventory/stocking, etc. Some are more self-motivated than others, just depends on the personality. They have been a high help for us.

We call these staff  "Physician Assistants".  (Not PA's with a masters degree but individuals that have potentially no medical training background at all.)
I did a lot of research on the same question you asked and  it came down to ensuring that these staff meet the CLIA requirement of HIV education (transmission, prevention, bio-safety... etc) and were adequately trained per the facilities requirements to perform POC waived tests.  They can not perform/report mod-complex testing.

Hi Danyel,
As long as they have a high school diploma they can do any waived or moderate complexity testing according to CLIA.  Unless your state regs are different that should apply.  I would think that as long as they have training they should be able to perform the testing the same as any new hire MA or Nurse who has never performed any lab testing.  The stress should be on the training though if they have never been in a medical atmosphere and record of their diploma or highest education..  

Do you let them collect samples? Finger poke for glucometer or HA1C? Urine sample collection? 
Even though I know that the CLIA regs say they can run Moderately complex testing with a HS diploma plus training, I just can't wrap my head around letting them run a CBC and release those results. The tech in me doesn't like that! LOL

We do not have Clinical Assistants, we have Phlebotomists and Xray techs helping in our clinic labs. They all do a great job. I have narrowed down the testing menu for staff hired that may have no formal training/certificate/2 or 4 yr degree. These staff only perform strictly waived testing. For rad techs that run any moderate tests, for example iSTAT testing or CBC testing, I have a chart/flow sheet for any positive or critical results. On the charts All of those positive or critical results then need MLT or MT/MLS second review. I instituted this practice, because while the non lab staff were re checking and rerunning the test, just because those results may match, that doesn't mean that it is ok - something still may be wrong with specimen, reagents etc, usually then a diff is needed, so a tech has to do that anyway.
 As lab techs, we have the background and experience and education. Just like when I used to fill in taking xrays when they needed help - I didn't have the background or education to know that maybe that abdomen xray didn't look quite right, even though I took one more view. 
We go to school for a reason and take our boards, earn our license, and I do not want to see  medical professionals replaced with staff trained "off the street" . I have staff that do not have formal training and yet are great at testing samples, and are intuitive in lab - but they still have not put in the time for education/internship/license so they have a short list of testing that they do - it still provides a great amount of help when staff is shorthanded.