Volunteers
Sign up to be a NAACLS Volunteer!
Are you new to volunteering with NAACLS, or interested in getting more involved? Or perhaps you’ve volunteered before but haven’t heard from us in a while? We’d love to have you back!
Please take a moment to sign up on our updated volunteer list to help us keep our records current. As of February 2024, we’ve retired our old list, and the new sign-up link below includes updates to our mentorship requirements. If you’re not already serving as a mentor, we encourage you to review the new criteria and consider this rewarding role. We look forward to your continued involvement!
For an in depth look at the NAACLS review process from the perspective of the reviewer, download the NAACLS Volunteer Manual.
Sign up to be a NAACLS Volunteer!
Are you new to volunteering with NAACLS, or interested in getting more involved? Or perhaps you’ve volunteered before but haven’t heard from us in a while? We’d love to have you back!
Please take a moment to sign up to volunteer. As of February 2024, we’ve retired our old list, and the new sign-up link below includes updates to our mentorship requirements. If you’re not already serving as a mentor, we encourage you to review the new criteria and consider this rewarding role. We look forward to your continued involvement!
For an in depth look at the NAACLS review process, from the perspective of the reviewer, download the NAACLS Volunteer Manual.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers: Make a difference in the profession
Opportunities available:
- Self-study reviewer
- Site visitor
- Mentor
- Review Committee Member
- Board Member
Mentors: Are essential to volunteer education
Opportunities available:
- Program Director mentor
- Self-study review mentor
- Site visit mentor
Self-Study Reviewers: Ensure quality and consistency
Opportunities available:
- Self-study reviewer
- Self-study review mentor
Site Visitors: Aim to help others understand and meet standards rather than focusing on faults
Opportunities available:
- Site visit team lead
- Site visit team member
- Site visit educator generalist
- Site visit team lead mentor
Volunteer Responsibilities and Requirements
Board of Directors
The board of directors functions as the governing unit of NAACLS and grants the final accreditation awards. The board of directors also formulates NAACLS policy.
Review Committee for Accredited Programs (RCAP)
The Review Committee for Accredited Programs reviews BMS, CG, DMS, MLM, MLS, Path A, and PHM programs for accreditation and is comprised of representatives from the disciplines elected by the board. The RCAP forwards its accreditation recommendations to the board of directors.
Programs Accreditation Review Committee (PARC)
The Programs Accreditation Review Committee (PARC) reviews HT, HTL, MLA, MLT, and PBT programs for accreditation and is comprised of representatives from the disciplines elected by the board. The PARC forwards its accreditation recommendations to the board of directors.
Doctoral Review Committee (DRC)
The Doctoral Review Committee (DRC) reviews advanced practice doctorate in clinical laboratory science programs for accreditation. The committee is comprised of doctoral education practitioner representatives and a member at large elected by the board. The DRC forwards its accreditation recommendations to the board of directors.
- The membership of each programs review committee relates to the particular constituency it serves and includes practitioners, pathologists and appropriate educators.
- Elections to the programs review committees are made by the board of directors each.
- NAACLS solicits nominations for elections on the review committees in accordance with the Nominations Committee’s policies.
- The nomination application period typically opens each fall following the September Board meeting. Please watch the NAACLS News for the latest notification.
- Terms are four years each, and begin immediately following the annual board meeting and conclude immediately following the board meeting in the year completing the four-year term.
- If a vacancy occurs before a term concludes, the board appoints a replacement, as required, to complete the term.
- Each committee elects its chair and vice chair annually at its summer meeting.
- Recommendations for election are solicited from the sponsoring and participating organizations of NAACLS for board representatives, as well as the NAACLS News and other media for additional positions, as appropriate.
- Nominees for board consideration are asked to provide materials to NAACLS if they are willing to serve in the capacity for which they have been nominated.
- The board’s Nominations Committee reviews the information provided and recommends a slate of nominees to the board for action.
Educator:
- Service as a program director from a NAACLS Accredited program of the same type as the review committee is preferred.
- The program’s accreditation history will be considered. If program directors are unavailable, faculty from programs of the same type may serve, provided they are knowledgeable in the accreditation processes and education management.
- Experience as a site visitor and/or Self-Study reviewer for NAACLS is required for accreditation review committee membership.
- Attendance at NAACLS accreditation workshops, instead of experience, may be acceptable for membership on the review committee.
- Knowledge of the principles and process of accreditation.
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of management in education.
Pathologist:
- Current medical advisor/director for a NAACLS Accredited program or a physician with pathology certification or board admissibility whose interest relates to a NAACLS Accredited program is preferred. The physician’s associated program should correspond to the review committee position.
- Experience as a site visitor and/or self-study report reviewer for NAACLS is preferred, but not required for membership on the review committee.
- Acquaintance with the principles and processes of accreditation.
- Acquaintance with the principles and practices of management in education.
Educator Generalist:
- Current service in an educational administrative position with a NAACLS Accredited program.
- Experience as a site visitor and/or self-study reviewer.
- Knowledge of the principles and processes of accreditation.
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of management in education.
Practitioner:
- Currently in a position practicing at the level of the profession represented by the review committee.
- Acquaintance with the principles and processes of accreditation.
- Acquaintance with the principles and practices of management in education.
Review committee meetings are held in February and July each year. Board meetings are held each April and September. The workload increases the closer to the meetings. For each six-month period, the primary time required is for:
- Travel to and from NAACLS in person meeting(s).
- Active engagement during the two-day meetings.
- Prepare assigned agenda reports, minutes, and motions.
- Read and provide a review of agenda materials.
- Participate in subcommittee or taskforce duties.
There will be additional time required for elected officers and subcommittee members. Items for discussion may be sent between meetings. The time required for members’ review and action on these materials varies.
Members of the board of directors are responsible for participating in the governance and duties of the board and are accountable for their actions. Board members are not bound by the recommendations of their respective organizations but they should consider such recommendations while acting under the accreditation process, operational policies, and ASPA (Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors) Code of Good Practice and American Institute of Parliamentarians Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedures, which NAACLS follows.
Responsibilities of the Board members are as follows:
- Attend one- to two-day virtual meeting of the board of directors in the spring annually and attend one- to two-day face-to-face meeting of the board in the fall annually.
- Participate in the formulation of policies and procedures.
- Participate in review and approval of the annual budget.
- Participate in review and approval of the Standards, as needed.
- Participate in review and adoption of accreditation actions forwarded by the review committees with modifications, as needed.
- Participate in standing and/or ad hoc committees, as appointed.
- Conduct activities associated with positions as officers of the board upon election.
- Maintain knowledge of current trends in accreditation as well as the needs of NAACLS’ constituency.
- Serve as a site visit team member, upon request.
Review committee members are responsible for participating in the duties of the review committee and are accountable for their actions. The review committees’ responsibilities are as follows:
- Participate in the development, review, revisions, justification and validation of Standards, as assigned by the board of directors.
- Prepare guidelines to explain the Standards, realizing these are subject to approval by the board of directors.
- Submit recommendations regarding a program’s accreditation status to the board for approval.
- Prepare and review off cycle reports, which can include, but not limited to, application packets, program official approvals, action plans, etc.
- Review problems or complaints related to a program’s administration, implementation or students.
- Conduct meetings twice a year.
- Review, in detail, documents for assigned programs prior to formulating accreditation recommendations to be forwarded to the board for action.
- Volunteer for assigned task forces from the board of directors.
- Maintain knowledge of current trends in laboratory education, accreditation, and needs of the constituency served by the committee.
- Develop recommendations for revisions in policies, procedures, and NAACLS core documents. Recommendations are sent to the Quality Assurance Committee for initial review and any issues forwarded to the board of directors for approval.
- Complete reader pair and self-evaluation surveys.
- Provide compliance guidance regarding accreditation standards and processes to program officials, upon request.
- Participate in NAACLS News content as requested.
- Provide mentor services regarding the accreditation processes to program officials, upon request.
- Review meeting motions and minutes and submitting corrections to the chair.
- Perform other duties, as assigned.
Volunteer Activity:
- Candidate must have participated in at least one accreditation site visit.
- Candidate must have reviewed at least two self-studies as a self-study reviewer.
Experience as Program Director:
- Candidate must have at least three years of experience as an approved program director of a NAACLS accredited program.
- Candidate must have been the program director during at least one successful accreditation review. Either initial accreditation review or continuing accreditation review will qualify a candidate.
Program director mentors serve as a guide for new program directors and have the following responsibilities:
- Answer questions from mentee.
- Review purpose of the core NAACLS documents (Standards, Guide to Accreditation, and Standards Compliance Guide).
- Discuss the roles of board of directors, review committees, discipline lead persons, and NAACLS Staff.
- Review purpose and timelines for significant aspects of NAACLS documents (Accreditation Application Packet, Self-Study Report, site visit, Interim Report, Progress Report, and Annual Survey).
- The mentor assignment will begin the date the program director was approved by NAACLS and will last for six months.
Self-Study Mentors would act as guides for new self-study reviewers and be asked to perform the following responsibilities:
- Answer general questions submitted via email (phone calls may be necessary) from the mentee. The assigned reviewer should make the final judgment on the review items. This is a mentorship more than a partnership.
- Examine the Self-Study Review and make sure all boxes are checked, all comments related to concerns are in the summary, all comments are clear and grammatically correct, and comments not directly related to concerns are located in the “other comments” section.
- Mentor assignment is for the length of the Self-Study Review, from the time of the assignment from staff to submission of review.
Site visit mentors would act as mentors to new site visitors and have the following responsibilities:
- Communicate before the site visit to establish a schedule, review professional expectations, answer questions, and prepare for common site visit pitfalls.
- Ensure the site visit review is rooted in NAACLS Standards, policies, and procedures and not individual best practice.
- Review the Site Visit Report before submission to NAACLS Staff, ensuring all concerns are in the appropriate place, clear, and concise.
- The mentor assignment encompasses the entire site visit process, from the time of the assignment from staff to the submission of Site Visit Report.
- Must be a current or experienced program director, faculty member, clinical laboratory professional, physician or a member of higher administration (dean, department chair, etc.) with knowledge of the clinical laboratory sciences.
- Must have a current or prior professional association with a NAACLS accredited program.
- Must be currently licensed or credentialed and in good standing with the licensing/credentialing body, as appropriate.
- Within the last three years, must have completed a Self-Study Review or attended a NAACLS Reviewer Education Session.
- Must complete a minimum of three site visits as a team member to qualify as a team leader.
NAACLS Volunteer Expectations as a Representative of the Organization:
- Approaches accreditation in a supportive not punitive manner.
- Follows the policies and procedures established by the NAACLS Board of Directors.
- Dependably engages in collaboration.
- Contributes to an inclusive and respectful environment.
- Receptive to differing interpretations of NAACLS Standards and Standards Compliance.
Expectations as a Content Expert:
- Comprehension of the current NAACLS’ Standards.
- Competency in evaluating Standards to align with materials provided during review.
- Understands the purposes of accreditation.
- Familiar with current practices in:
- Clinical laboratory procedures.
- Evaluation of essential personnel and physical resources for clinical services and educational purposes.
- Health professions education.
- Demonstrates making objective assessments based upon established criteria .
- Adaptable to computer technology (Microsoft, Adobe, Web forms, file sharing sites, etc.).
- Proficient in grammatically correct evidence-based writing skills.
- Executes factual and non-biased reviews.
- Relates all concerns in program reviews to current NAACLS Standards.
- Consistently meets deadlines set by NAACLS Staff and peers.
- Consistently completes review forms thoroughly.
- Performs reviews in a professional manner.
- Consistently respects and maintains confidentiality of privileged information.
- Responds to communication in a timely manner.
Site Visit Specific Expectations:
- Conducts interviews and performs observational functions with discretion.
- Flexible to logistical changes.
- Read the program’s Self-Study Report in the context of the Standards, analyzing the quantitative information provided.
- Complete the Self-Study Report Review according to Standard protocol for content and format.
- Submit the Self-Study Report Review according to established timelines.
Estimated Time Required
|
Activity |
Estimated Time |
|---|---|
|
Reading Self-Study Reports |
4-5 hours |
|
Organizing material |
3 hours |
|
Drafting Review |
3 hours |
|
Typing Review |
Varies |
Team Members and Team Leaders:
- Read the program’s Self-Study Report in the context of its Review and the Standards.
- Note questions to be asked and particular observations to be made during the site visit per the comments made in the Self-Study Report and Review.
- Assist the team leader in scheduling the site visit.
- Conduct the site visit according to NAACLS protocol and in a professional manner.
- Assist in preparing the Site Visit Report.
- Submit a NAACLS Expense Form and Site Visit Evaluation Form (according to instructions).
Team Leaders Only:
- Conduct all communications with the program director to arrange the site visit and with the team member(s) to finalize schedule.
- Communicate with the program director to set up interview schedules for program and affiliate(s) personnel, students, etc.
- Prepare a draft of the Site Visit Report and circulate the draft to team member(s) for review and completion of the Affirmation Page.
- Ensure that all site visitors review and complete the Affirmation Page of the Site Visit Report.
- Submit final Site Visit Report to the NAACLS Office within the prescribed allotted time (usually three weeks after the site visit date).
- Submit the Review Evaluation Form.
Time Required
The times provided below represent estimates for completion of the tasks listed.
|
Activity |
Estimated Time |
|---|---|
|
Travel |
Varies |
|
Length of site visit |
2 days |
|
Reading Self-Study Reports |
4-5 hours |
|
Identifying questions, observations, etc. |
2 hours |
|
Scheduling site visit |
2 hours |
|
Drafting the Site Visit Report |
1-3 hours |
|
Typing and proofreading the Site Visit Report |
1-3 hours |