Training technologists for the genomic age

Molecular techniques are playing an ever-increasing role in all areas of anatomic and clinical pathology. The field is currently in need of well-trained technologists in this area of the clinical laboratory who are situated to bridge the current state of practice and the continuing developments in high complexity testing. For the close term, use of "home-brew" and analyte specific reagents (ASR)-based tests will require well-trained personnel with strong biomedical science backgrounds and a thorough understanding of technologies used in assay development. Here, we discuss the selection and evaluation of molecular diagnostic training preceptor sites and tasks indicated for trainees that most meet the needs of the newest facet of the laboratory. We present evaluation tools developed over the course of four years of clinical education used to assess practical performance of trainees in a molecular diagnostic pathology laboratory and conclude with considerations for future training of laboratory technologists.