California Association for

Medical Laboratory Technology

Join CAMLT at Disney's Paradise Pier® Hotel October 21-24, 2010 Registration and Information now on-line! Check out our Continuing Education Calendar to see the complete program.
You can also Download the August 2010 issue of Newsline This issue contains full Convention information and a lot more!

DANGER, WILL ROBINSON ... DANGER!!

For those of you who remember the TV show "Lost in Space", these words from the Robot always told Will that something was amiss.  On August 12, 2010, CAMLT was notified by Laboratory Field Services that the long awaited Personnel Regulations were available for review and comment.  This comment period is very important and all Laboratory Professionals should take the time to read and review these regulations.

On the surface you may not feel that you will be affected by the changes in this document, but read carefully.  Comments may be submitted by individuals, as well as Laboratory Organizations and must be received by the Office of Regulations and Hearings by 5 PM on September 27, 2010.

Written comments may be submitted as follows:

1. By mail to the Office of Regulations and Hearings, California Department of Public Health, MS 0507, PO Box 997377, Sacramento, CA  95899-7377 or hand delivered to 1616 Capital Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95814.  It is requested but not required that written comments sent by mail or hand delivered be submitted in triplicate; or,
2. By fax transmission:  [916]440-5747; or,
3. By email to regulations@cdph.ca.gov.  It is requested that email transmission of comments, particularly those with attachments, contain the regulation package identifier “DPH-08-001” in the subject line to facilitate timely identification and review of the comment.

The CAMLT Legislative committee and Board of Directors will be commenting on this legislation on your behalf as a member of CAMLT.  If you have any input for us, please send an e-mail to office@camlt.org no later than September 15, 2010.

You can find the materials at www.cdph.ca.gov and clicking on the links in the following order:  Decisions Pending and Opportunity for Public Participation, Proposed Regulations.

This is probably the most important piece of regulation since SB113.  Please heed the “Danger” by participating in this process.

CAMLT CONVENTION - REGISTER NOW TO ATTEND!

The 2010 Convention Committee is hosting the 2010 "Preserving the Past for the Future" at this year's Annual Meeting at Disney's exciting Paradise Pier® Hotel in Anaheim. It will be a wonderful time of year with plenty to do. We look forward to a great educational program; a total of 51 hours of CE will be available, offering you 15 hours of CE if you wish. The Committee is rounding out the program of speakers. Plan to attend morning and afternoon sessions Friday and Saturday, and a morning session Sunday. You'll be finished by 11:30 Sunday morning, so you can play at Disneyland® and California Adventure®. Stay an extra day or two and make it a vacation! Universal Studios®, Hollywood, Knott's Berry Farm®, and the beaches are close by.

Check out our Continuing Education Calendar to see the complete program.

New Distance Learning Course On-Line

We have just posted our latest Distance Learning Course, DL-995, entitled "Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn"  This course joins our list of many courses which can be completed online to earn CE.

CAMLT maintains an ongoing program of Distance Learning courses.  There are many 1, 2 and 3 CE courses covering a variety of topics and levels of difficulty listed on our Distance Learning page.  Most of the courses can be completed "on-line" or printed and submitted via mail or fax to our office in Fremont.  Payment for the courses can be by PayPal, credit card or check.  Have you tried CAMLT's Distance Learning courses?  This is a great way to pick up those last minute CE units if you find yourself short at license renewal time or to earn those CE when you can't attend a seminar program.  Check out the full list of available courses here or by clicking on the menu link on the top left of the page - Continuing Education/Distance Learning Courses

CLS Licensing Now on Two-Year Cycle

All Clinical Laboratory Scientists are now on a two-year licensing cycle.  The former one-year licensees have all been converted to the two-year cycle expiring on their birthday in 2010 or 2011.  All renewals now require 24 CE to renew for the next two-year period.  CE units must be earned during the current two-year licensing period for your next renewal.  You cannot "carry over" excess CE from the last licensing period or earn units after expiration of your license.

CAMLT encourages all licensees (CLS, MLT and CPT) to earn their units early to avoid last minute problems getting the required units.  We have an active program of quality educational events at both the state and local level which should allow licensees to earn their CE in a timely fashion.  Check out our Continuing Education Calendar to see a listing of upcoming programs.

If you are close to renewal and don't yet have the required units, CAMLT's Distance Learning is an excellent way to get those last minute units.  There is a variety of course topics and many of the courses can be completed on-line.  Use the menu link above or click here to access our Distance Learning course list.

Important Information Regarding CLS/MLT and Phlebotomy License Renewals:

• The State of California, Department of Public Health, Laboratory Field Services is taking as long as 6-8 weeks to process renewal applications.  This is due to the mandatory 3 Fridays a month furlough and the fact that the payments are processed first in Sacramento and then sent to Richmond for document processing.
• Your renewal should be received 60 day prior to the expiration.  DO NOT wait until the last minute to send in your renewal.
• Even though for a CLS, there is a "grace" period, some Hospital organizations' policies require an active license [not expired] to continue working.  The confirmation of an active license will appear on the State Verification Web Site up to 2-3 weeks prior to the "hardcopy" being printed and is valid proof that can be printed and attached to your expired license to display until you receive your hardcopy.
• MLT's and Phlebotomists DO NOT have a grace period.  Your license expires on the date listed.

The Laboratory Field Services Web site to verify licensure is: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/lfs/Pages/PersonnelWebsiteLookup.aspx

California CLS Licensing

Laboratory Field Services has now certified several national examinations as acceptable for CA licensing.  Applicants will still need apply to LFS and pay the license processing fee, are still required to meet California training standards, and also to pass a short on-line quiz testing their knowledge of State Law.  For additional information check the Our Professions section of this website.