Healthcare is experiencing a dire need for medical professionals. The shortage in the workforce is particularly concerning given their essential role in healthcare. Laboratory professionals are responsible for conducting a wide range of tests that inform 70% of medical decisions, from the diagnosis of diseases to the determination of treatment plans. (1) The lack of sufficient and competent laboratory professionals leads to delays in diagnosis and treatment, impacting patient care and outcomes. (2)

Due in part to the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, an aging workforce, recruitment and retention challenges, evolving technological advancements in laboratory medicine, and other factors, significant shortages of personnel in the global medical laboratory workforce has become prominent. (2)

As challenging as these issues are, they also present prospects for growth and innovation in laboratory medicine and pathology. As decision-makers at all levels seek and implement multi-faceted solutions, leveraging credentials such as those offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology, Board of Certification (ASCP BOC) is emerging as a key strategy. (3) This strategy not only enhances professional skills but opens new avenues for recruitment and retention.

Using professional credentials as a solution to these issues ensures the maintenance of high standards in laboratory medicine and aids in enhancing the profession's appeal and recognition. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, addressing this shortage is imperative for maintaining the efficacy and quality of global health systems.

The role of the ASCP BOC

The ASCP BOC is a laboratory professional credentialing agency with nearly a century's legacy, having been established in 1928. Over this period, the ASCP BOC has credentialed more than 625,000 laboratory professionals worldwide, upholding its mission to provide excellence in certification of laboratory professionals on behalf of patients globally. The credentialing portfolio offered by the ASCP BOC spans 26 unique examinations for laboratory leaders at all levels, supporting phlebotomists who have direct interactions with patients through PhD scientists who lead high complexity laboratories. In 2006, the ASCP BOC began certifying laboratory professionals with an international" [ASCP.sup.i] "designation. The [ASCP.sup.i] initiative has seen widespread adoption, with applicants spanning 130 countries and, to date, more than 22,000 individuals from 117 countries earning ASCP credentials. (4)

The importance of credentials for medical laboratory professionals

Credentials for medical laboratory professionals are a testament to their competence and proficiency. They demonstrate that individuals have undergone rigorous education, training, and experiential assessments and have met established standards of knowledge and skills. This is particularly crucial in a field where precision and accuracy are paramount. Laboratory errors can have dire consequences on patient diagnosis and treatment, making the role of credentialed professionals indispensable. (5) Credentialed laboratory professionals ensure that laboratory tests, which form the basis of a significant portion of clinical decisions, are accurate and reliable.

Moreover, in the realm of healthcare, trust is a vital commodity. When medical staff and patients are aware that laboratory professionals are credentialed,...