Technical Consultant requirements

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Hello, in your opinion or experience, does an employee with a BS in Diagnostic Imaging meet the criteria for a Technical Consultant?  Thank you.

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It probably depends on what classes they took. I think CLIA is looking more at what bio/chem/physics hours people have on their transcripts, as opposed to looking at specific degree programs. There are so many different "science" degrees, and it's difficult to determine if graduates would fit the requirements without knowing what's on the transcript. 

In my opinion, I'd not go with my opinion. 
Seriously!
I'd request the transcript and go to an accreditation call online/chat (for accreditation I'm using for nonwaived testing), recite the # of biology credits on the transcript and ask 'is this an acceptable degree to meet the qualifications of CLIA role of Technical Consultant'?

That's my 'go to' these days.
.

I tell my facility that the degree must be a program of four years of actual science.  I've got a number of "Bachelor's of Science and Education" degrees here that are 2 years of of actual science.  They do not qualify.

Admittedly, this is COLA's take on the requirements from the 3/2022 Accreditation Manual, but the requirement listed, in part, is:
  1. Bachelor's degree in laboratory science AND
  2. 2 years lab training or experience in the non-waived specialties/subspecialties of service.

The latest CLIA requirements, out for comment until 8/25/2022, do seem to focus more upon the content of the degree and less on the title; I do not recall any reduction in the requirement of a Bachelor's degree. Individual circumstances may vary, but the training/experience in the specialties may very well be the part that trips up a BS in Diagnostic Imaging ... in addition to the required Biology, Chemistry, etc. requirements. 

I just asked this question of our CLIA surveyor (Montana-not that it matters) last month.  She stated it had to be someone with a CLS 0r higher.  My predecessor had been using the super user model.  This new approach puts a large burden on the lab.  I can't imagine a facility with 100s of users.

It depends on the number of science classes. I was just surveyed in June by Joint commission. My radiology BS diploma staff member was not accepted. I have requested the transcript. My surveyor gave me the exact number of credits they were looking for. I incorporated that information into a form for future use. I also had to use this for one of my perfusion staff members though we all know they have mega science background.  BS in nursing was accepted without issue.
2LAB.POC.0104.02 Technical Consultant checklist.doc

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