title: CLS entry level competencies in flow cytometry.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To define entry level competencies in flow cytometry for CLS generalists.
  
  
  METHODS
  Flow cytometry practitioners completed an electronic survey. Of 134 respondents, 131 met the desired demographics and were analyzed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Links to the survey were mailed to 3 listservs (Medlab-L, CLSEduc, Purdue Cytometry) and 2 email groups (ASCLS and AMLI). Participants completed the survey on-line.
  
  
  METHODS
  The target population was flow cytometry practitioners who had experienced CLS education, earned certification and practiced at least one year in flow. Survey instructions asked participants not to complete the survey if they did not meet the demographic criteria.
  
  
  METHODS
  A competency was deemed important at entry level if > or = 50% of respondents agreed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was strong consensus (62-87%) that entry level CLS generalists should be able to 1) perform HIV CD4/CD8 monitoring, 2) gate cell populations using forward/side scatter and CD45/bright/dim markers and 3) evaluate specimen acceptability. Concepts to understand included leukemia immunophenotyping, quality control and instrument principles (61-83%). Most respondents (74%) felt that memorization of the leukemic CD panels was unnecessary. However, survey results indicated that the markers and cell type associations to memorize are CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19/20, CD34, CD45 and light chains. Hands-on experience with instruments was not identified as critical.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CLS educational programs can deliver almost all flow cytometry content in the didactic portion of the curriculum and can restrict CD marker memorization to a limited list. At minimum, HIV monitoring via CD4/CD8 counts and concepts of leukemia immunophenotyping should be included.
authors.affiliation: Medical Lab Science Program, Salisbury University, Salisbury, MD, USA. dldavis@salisbury.edu
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nadder
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards*