BCSLS June Enewsletter

Under The Microscope

BC Society of Laboratory Science: June 2023

BCSLS news & updates

The BCSLS Enewsletter will focus on keeping our membership updated, knowledgeable and even entertained.

Message from the President and Executive Director:

Over the past two months, the focus of BCSLS activities has been on updating the MLA Core Competency Profile and planning for Congress 2023.

The first meeting of our MLA Core Competency Advisory Committee took place in April and has held 3 meetings to date. The Advisory Committee has representation from the BCSLS Board, BCSLS MLA membership from public and private laboratories, the Ministry of Health Allied Health Policy Secretariat, Provincial Health Human Resources Lab Advisory Committee, First Nations Health Authority and the Ministry of Post Secondary Education and Future Skills - Private Training Institutions Branch. Led by Subject Matter Expert Sian Nuttall, the work undertaken by the Advisory Committee will result in recommendations for updating the entry-to-practice core competencies for MLAs reflecting the knowledge, skills and abilities required for MLAs practicing in BC laboratories. Surveys responses from public and private laboratory employers, recent MLA graduates in practice for less than 2 years, and MLA Education Programs were considered and have been factored into the revisions underway. The Advisory Committee will be concluding its work in June with a report on recommended revisions to the BCSLS Board in July. Following this, the proposed revised MLA Core Competency Profile will proceed through a broader consultation process with BCSLS MLA members, the Provincial MLT/MLA Working Group, Allied Health Policy Secretariat and the Ministry of Post Secondary Education and Future Skills. The BCSLS Board will review and consider feedback received through consultation, and will approve any revisions to the MLA Core Competency Profile. The new Profile will be used to review and revise the BCSLS MLA Provincial Curriculum and Standards, work that will be commencing in Fall 2023. The BCSLS sincerely thanks the Advisory Committee and the survey respondents for sharing their knowledge, expertise and time in completing this important work.

Congress 2023 will be taking place in Kelowna, September 21 – 23, with this year’s theme of “Together Towards Tomorrow”. The Congress 2023 Planning Committee has been busy developing the Scientific Agenda with discipline specific topics, leadership, and quality management sessions; securing speakers; and planning social events for delegates. The ever popular Exhibition Hall will be returning with over 33 vendors and industry representatives attending. Be sure to register for Congress 2023 and join us for continuing education, networking with colleagues and having fun in beautiful Kelowna!

Special Days: June 15 - August 15

It's Quiz Time!

Our monthly Quiz with prizes. It's a fun way to test your knowledge and win a little something for doing it.

Find the Quiz Link on our Trivia webpage.

Deadline: June 30

Introducing our new Education series, LabConnect. BCSLS LabConnect education sessions are a time for lab professionals from across BC to connect together to learn about new and interesting topics within laboratory medicine. In each session, BCSLS will invite experts to speak on topics that would be of interest to Medical Lab Science professionals. These sessions will be offered virtually and free of charge to all BCSLS members. We look forward to connecting with you!

Where: Virtual attendance on zoom
When: We intend to have one session every 3 months
Time: 530pm for 30-50 minutes depending on the topic
Costs:
BCSLS Members: Free (must pre-register)
Non-members: $10-15 depending on the length of each session

CHECK OUT our July and October guests on the webpage

June's Guest Contributor

Workplace Culture: An Influential Factor on Laboratory Quality

Written by: Joanne Isber, MBA, MLT, MLS | Program Director, Interior Health Pathology and Laboratory Medicine | CSMLS Instructor, Quality Systems

he way we think about laboratory quality in the overall health care environment has shifted, both in significance and meaning. What was once considered quality practice in our labs has evolved over time and been heavily influenced by workplace culture.

Workplace culture is shaped from employee attitudes, beliefs, and personal perceptions, in contrast to the principles, practices or strategy of an organization and largely determines how successfully professionals work together to achieve desired organizational outcomes. As management guru Peter Drucker famously said, “culture eats strategy for breakfast.”

A positive work culture is seen as forward-thinking, identifying gaps and initiating continuous improvement solutions that enhance and develop the over-arching environment for individual staff and the organization. Whereas, a negative work culture stimulates a breakdown of cohesive partnerships and cooperation across the system making it ever more challenging to meet objectives and goals.

So, how does workplace culture influence laboratory quality?

FIND OUT BY READING THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

Welcome to the Laboratory Profession! Happy Studying!

July 17 - MLAs at Stenberg College

Congratulations to the graduating BC Laboratory classes! Welcome to the laboratory Profession!

June 16 - MLAs from Camosun College
July 3 - MLAs from Vancouver Career College
August 14 - MLAs from Stenburg College

Nominations are open for the BCSLS Honourary Awards

We have three new award categories

Achievement
Excellence
Recognition

The BCSLS gives Honourary Awards to outstanding Medical Laboratory Professionals each year at our Annual General Meeting. This year the AGM is in Kelowna, BC during the 2023 Congress. AGM is Sept 22.

For more information and to nominate someone, see our webpage

This month's superstar member spotlight is:

Cora Burnett:

What professional designations do you have and what school and city did you attend for your lab education? Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant Certificate from Camosun College in Victoria BC
Describe what your current role is and what a typical day looks like for you? I am a Client Services Supervisor with LifeLabs in Victoria. I oversee 5 Patient Service Centers and have a team of 33 employees who report to me. There is no such thing as a typical day in my role, every day is different (such is often the case when you deal with customer service). I ensure my team of employees is trained, equipped, and excited to give their best to all of our customers every day.

Which career accomplishments are you most proud of? Probably my proudest moment was being able to work at the 2010 Whistler Olympics. I was a Blood Collection Officer with the Anti-doping team, and it was truly the most exciting experience of my career to date.
If you could go back 20 years to visit yourself, what advice would you give? Take the opportunities, take all the opportunities. Tune out the nay-sayers and doubters and blaze your own path!
TO READ THE FULL INTERVIEW CLICK HERE

Job Postings

Jobs from around BC and Western Canada can be found on the Careers Webpage. Check out the webpage often as it is updated regularly. https://www.bcsls.net/careers-page

Upcoming Events

Sept 21-23, 2023 in Kelowna, BC

The BCSLS Annual Congress is our premiere event of the year. For 3 days we will be bringing together laboratory professionals, educators, and industry representatives from across the province and nationally.

Visit our Congress Webpage

July: Kenneth Tan

October: Dr. Wei Xiong

Visit our LabConnect Webpage

BCSLS Pre and Post Analytic Symposium 2024

April 2024 - We are in the planning stages...

We will have several key speakers addressing a variety of current and relevant topics that many of us face in today’s rapidly changing workplace. This engaging symposium will provide you with the tools you need to help you continue on your journey towards excellence. We look forward to seeing you in again!

Visit our Symposium Webpage