The influence of perceived professional status on the career progression of CLS graduates.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if the perception of clinical laboratory science (CLS), as a profession, influences career progression.


METHODS
A questionnaire was designed to collect information on job history including salary and positions held, reasons for leaving the field, satisfaction with the field and the perception of the field as a profession or a technical occupation.


METHODS
Research facilities at the Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA.


METHODS
Graduates from the CLS program of the University of Minnesota Division of Medical Technology, 1923-1996, were sent questionnaires; 1338 (70.2%) responded.


METHODS
The comparison of career progression for those who perceive CLS to be a profession to those who perceive it to be a technical field.


RESULTS
Seventy-seven percent of the respondents perceived the field to be a profession. They were 1.7 times more likely to have progressed in their careers than those who perceived CLS to be a technical field. This was reflected in the percentage achieving higher positions both currently and over the respondents' entire job history.


CONCLUSIONS
Those who perceive CLS to be a profession are more likely to progress in their career and remain in the field of CLS.
Francis
D P
DP
Laboratory Assurance Program, Graduate School of Public Health, College of Health and Human Services, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA. dfrancis@projects.sdsu.edu
Hofherr
L K
LK
Peddecord
K M
KM
Karni
K R
KR
Krolak
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology; D001290:Attitude; D002322:Career Mobility; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires