Obtaining Lab Director Qualifications

Physicians need at least one year of experience overseeing the operations of any moderate complexity testing to become a new lab director under CLIA. Many physicians have overseen laboratory testing in medical school or residency. Written evidence is not required, i.e., CMS inspectors will accept the word of a physician. Written evidence would only be required if, at the time of inspection, there are serious quality problems in the POL.

Physicians who do not have the requisite one year's experience must attain 20 CME in a program that is recognized to provide credit for lab directors.

Conference: Physician Office Laboratory Symposium

Currently, there is only one conference that focuses on the Laboratory Director training program. This is a two-and-a-half-day event that includes general education sessions, workshops sessions, and manufacturer displays. The conference has nationally recognized faculty, such as Dr. Dunn, to teach and lead the workshops. Additionally, there are many opportunities to interact with the faculty, and other physicians and laboratory professionals attending the conference.

The University of Wisconsin Medical School and COLA, a national laboratory accreditation organization, jointly sponsor the Symposium. Cost is about $650 plus travel expenses.

COLA/University of Wisconsin POL Symposium
Contact: Educational Services
9881 Broken Land Parkway
Suite 200
Columbia, MD 21046
800-981-9883 to enroll

For more information click here: http://www.cola.org/news/syminfo.asp

Web-based Education: COLA LabUniversity Laboratory Director Program

This multi-course program is designed for physicians who wish to meet the CLIA requirements to be designated as Laboratory Director for a moderate complexity Physician Office Laboratory (POL). These courses feature interactive exercises and self-paced learning activities in an on-line format. LabUniversity’s on-line courses allow for asynchronous (any time) learning which can take place at the convenience of the learner. This program provides the 20 CME credits in laboratory practice and director responsibilities specified by CLIA as necessary for physicians who do not qualify by training or experience to become a laboratory director of a moderate complexity laboratory.

The comprehensive series of courses covers all topics required by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), including CLIA ’88 Requirements, Quality Control, Quality Assurance, OSHA, Proficiency Testing and Laboratory Personnel Requirements.

COLA / LabUniversity
Contact: Educational Services
9881 Broken Land Parkway
Suite 200
Columbia, MD 21046
800-981-9883

For more information click here: http://www.labuniversity.org