TAG | Membership
Spotlight on Second and Third Shifts:
Many laboratorians begin their career on third shift (~11:00 pm – 7:00 am) or second shift (~3:00 pm – 11:00 pm). Some have difficulty adapting to the schedule; others love it and spend their entire career there. If you’ve never considered working evenings or nights, you should. Here are some pros and cons you might want to think about:
-Earn more money per hour
-Enjoy a more relaxed work environment than day shift
-May work more weekends and holidays, but you are compensated with weekend and holiday differential
-Fewer “experts” and supervisors around to provide answers when problems arise
-More likely to be hired as a generalist and maintain competency in all departments
-Odd hours may accommodate schedules of students and parents of young children
-You can sleep in whenever you want
-Avoid the frustration of commuting during peak rush hours
-Fewer coworkers to help carry the work load during emergencies and busy nights
-More likely to find a job if you are willing to work any shift
-More supervisory opportunities for people who lack management experience
-Get your foot in the door at your hospital/employer of choice
Welcome to this month’s new members. Don’t forget to check back again in September and October for more on second and third shifts.
Danielle Blancaflor, Peoria
Kayla Hoffman, Ashley
Andrew Molnar, Caseyville
Shenise Townsend, Peoria
The 2009-2010 ASCLS membership year will come to a close on July 31, so now is the time to renew for next year. Begin at www.ascls.org where all you need to log in to your account is an email address. There you can see when your membership expires, update your address, renew, and more.
Former students who renew as First Year Professional members will receive a free gift. And thanks to a special offer from national, everyone who renews by September 30, 2010 will receive six free CE quizzes. New members who join will receive one free CE quiz.
Welcome to this month’s new members:
Gina Donatoni – Chicago
Merle Essex – Chicago
Brittany Fitzgerald – Shelbyville
Danielle Merfeld – Chicago
Abby Slesar – Chicago
Michael Thompson – Macomb
Kathleen Wayne – Peoria
Here’s an update from Melissa Collins, ASCLS-IL Membership Chair
***
Many of us took on a new title last week when the NCA and ASCP BOR officially merged to form the ASCP Board of Certification (BOC). Another outcome of the unification has been a renewed emphasis on continuing education. That’s because only professionals who actively participate in a continuing education/certification maintenance program can call themselves Medical Laboratory Scientists.
If you were certified by the BOR before continuing education was required, don’t be left behind. Now is the time to start earning and submitting CE credits. Fortunately, ASCLS makes it easy to meet the BOC requirements. Just attending the ASCLS-IL Spring Meeting will give you about a year’s worth of credits.
Joining an organization so focused on education is a great way to begin your career. I’d say that our newest members, listed here, are already on the right track.
Joanna Chrostowski – Chicago
###
Here’s an update from Melissa Collins, ASCLS-IL Membership Chair
***
The results are in! When the number of total members is tallied, Illinois ranks among the top five constituent societies of ASCLS. I’d like to think it’s because our state has some of the most dedicated laboratory professionals, educators, and clinical laboratory students in the nation! Here are some of our most recent new members that I’d like to personally thank for contributing to our success:
Libby Hatchel – Champaign
Yuko Motoda – Naperville
Brandy Prosser – Dunlap
Lauretta Redwine – Calumet City
Laura Severs – Normal
Carol Sligting – Round Lake
Vivian Suarez – Pingree Grove
###
