Sunday, February 23, 2025
2/23/2025
The New York City Public Health Laboratory (PHL) is comprised of approximately 250 staff that are made up of laboratorians, research scientists and administrators. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, New York State required that staff who performed clinical laboratory testing be in possession of NYS clinical laboratory technician or technologist licenses under NYSED Education Law Article 165, Clinical Laboratory Technology Practice Act, § 8609. During COVID-19, this requirement was temporarily waived in order to support the massive testing needs. As a result, PHL hired dozens of staff who were not in possession of these requirements. Today, PHL has utilized an exemption from New York State licensure requirements to allow unlicensed staff to perform clinical testing, however they must receive a year of training in a specific clinical testing area prior to performing clinical testing independently without direct supervision. Currently, there is no formal laboratory-wide training program at PHL. The purpose of this project would be to 1) develop a PHL wide training program for licensed and unlicensed staff using resources from APHL, CDC, and other clinical laboratory trainers in New York City and 2) produce and identify resources to provide continuing education and enable laboratorians to develop the skills needed for career progression and 3) develop a training community for laboratory staff from all backgrounds.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).