title: The Evolving Role of the Laboratory Professional in the Age of Genome Sequencing: A Vision of the Association for Molecular Pathology.
abstract: In conclusion, to maximize the benefit of the genomic era, the molecular laboratory director will continue to be essential in the generation, analysis, and interpretation of patient results, which now include genomic data obtained through NGS approaches. That includes integrating this information as part of the complete care of the patient and communicating and interacting with professionals across disciplines. In addition, the molecular laboratory director must continue to provide training and education to current and future colleagues, within and outside of molecular pathology and molecular genetics. Professionalism includes volunteerism in professional organizations and education and advocacy to policy makers, health administrators, payers, and the public. It also includes efforts to increase visibility of the profession to our colleagues from other medical disciplines and the public at large. Thus, the role of the molecular laboratory professional is multifaceted, but, above all, it is to ensure the access to and quality of molecular pathology testing, the responsible implementation of expanded test modalities such as genome sequencing, and the interpretation thereof to aid the clinician in the medical management of the patient and ultimately to benefit the society by providing precision patient care.
authors.affiliation: Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) Executive Committee, Bethesda, Maryland; AMP Whole Genome Analysis Working Group, Bethesda, Maryland; Departments of Pathology and Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California. Electronic address: ischrijver@stanfordhealthcare.org.
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Schrijver
authors.affiliation: AMP Whole Genome Analysis Working Group, Bethesda, Maryland; Sequenom Laboratories, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.
authors.forename: Daniel H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Farkas
authors.affiliation: AMP Whole Genome Analysis Working Group, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Clinical Sciences-Pathology, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, Florida.
authors.forename: Jane S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.affiliation: Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) Executive Committee, Bethesda, Maryland; AMP Whole Genome Analysis Working Group, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah.
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lyon
mesh_terms: D023281:Genomics / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories / Q000592:standards*; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel; D057089:Pathology, Molecular; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical / Q000379:methods*