The Process of Accreditation

Steps for Initial and Continuing Accreditation

Required Materials

• Guide to Accreditation

• www.naacls.org

• http://www.naacls.org/news/announce.asp?link_id=242

Learning OutcomesUpon completion of this instructional unit and review of additional resources, the learner will be able to

1.List and briefly describe 5 general steps in the NAACLS accreditation process

2.List four documents that must be submitted to NAACLS before a program applying for initial accreditation can receive “Serious Applicant Status”

3.Name 2 steps in the accreditation process in which a program can submit a response with additional information

4.Identify 2 additional levels of accreditation review that occur after the site visit

Benefits of Accreditation

1. Publicly identifies programs that meet nationally established standards of educational quality

2. Stimulates program improvement by involving faculty and staff in on-going self-evaluation, research, and planning

3. Promotes a better understanding of the goals of professional education

4. Provides reasonable assurance that program graduates meet minimum career-entry competencies

5. Assists specialized programs in achieving their objectives

Programs Accredited by NAACLS

•Medical laboratory scientist (MLS)•Medical laboratory technician (MLT)•Doctorate in clinical laboratory science (DCLS) •Histotechnologist (HTL)•Histotechnician (HT)•Diagnostic molecular scientist (DMS)•Cytogenetic technologist (CG)•Pathologists' assistant (Path A)

The Accreditation Process

Eligibility Criteria for Becoming an Accredited Program

1. The sponsoring institution and affiliates, clinical and/or academic, if any, must be accredited by recognized regional and/or national agencies

2. Academic institutions sponsoring clinical laboratory science education programs must be empowered by a state authority to grant the appropriate degree

3. The institution must be legally authorized under applicable state law to provide postsecondary education

Initial Application Process

• Letter of intent is sent to NAACLS by the sponsoring institution’s CEO

• NAACLS sends application packet– Application for Initial Accreditation– Program Official Approve Form

Initial Application Process

• Sponsoring institution submits– Application for Initial Accreditation– Initial Application Fee– Program Official Approval Form, and program

director’s CV– Preliminary Report, with required

documentation (3 copies)

The Preliminary Report• Program Fact Sheet

• Clinical Facility Fact Sheets (for each clinical site)

• Faculty Fact Sheets

• Summary of the Program

• Relationship of administrators & faculty to service & teaching

• Description of operational agreements and affiliation agreement tracking tool

• Courses to be offered

• Summary of financial resources

• Summary of instructional resources

• Recruitment of students

Initial Application Process

• NAACLS reviews and approves the Preliminary Report within 2 months of receipt of program information and fees

• Program conducts Self-Study and submits 2 copies of the Self-Study Report to NAACLS. Alternatively, the program can download a self-study template from http://www.naacls.org/news/announce.asp?link_id=242 and submit the Self-Study electronically

Initial Application Process

• NAACLS grants “Serious Applicant Status” after the Self-Study Report is submitted– Students treated as if from accredited program for

certification exam eligibility– Status granted no longer than 18 months

Initial Accreditation Process

• The Self-Study is evaluated by a NAACLS volunteer reviewer

• The Self-Study review is forwarded to the program within 2 months

• The program submits a response to the Self-Study Review within one month

Initial Accreditation Process

• Site visit by NAACLS volunteers

• Site Visit Report is forwarded to the program within 1.5 months of the site visit

• The program submits a response to the Site Visit Report within one month

Initial Accreditation Process

• Review by RCAP (Review Committee for Accredited Programs) or DRC (Doctoral Review Committee

• Review by Board of Directors– BOD Quality Assurance Committee review– Final decision on accreditation by Board

Continuing Accreditation Application Process

• NAACLS notifies the program 18 months before the end of the current accreditation period

• Program submits the Application for Continuing Accreditation

• Program conducts Self-Study and submits 2 copies of the Self-Study Report to NAACLS. Alternatively, the program can download a self-study template from http://www.naacls.org/news/announce.asp?link_id=242 and submit the Self-Study electronically

Continuing Accreditation Process

• The Self-Study is evaluated by a NAACLS volunteer reviewer

• The Self-Study review is forwarded to the program within 1-4 months

• The program submits a response to the Self-Study Review within one month

Continuing Accreditation Process

• Approval of site visit team

• Site visit by NAACLS volunteers

• Site Visit Report is forwarded to the program within 1.5 months of the site visit

• The program submits a response to the Site Visit Report within one month

Continuing Accreditation Process

• Review by RCAP (Review Committee for Accredited Programs) or DRC (Doctoral Review Committee

• Review by Board of Directors– BOD Quality Assurance Committee review– Final decision on accreditation by Board

Learning Assessment #1

1. Prior to reviewing the Preliminary Report, NAACLS must receive

a. The Application for Initial Accreditation

b. The Self-Study Report

c. Three copies of the Preliminary Report

d. All of the above

e. a and c are true

Learning Assessment #2

2. In the steps to initial accreditation, a program has official “Serious Applicant Status” with NAACLS after the

a. letter is intent is received

b. application fee is paid

c. Preliminary Report has been reviewed and accepted

d. Self-Study is received

Learning Assessment #3

3. A program may submit additional information and documentation during theaccreditation process following the

a. receipt of the Site Visit Report

b. RCAP review

c. QA Committee review

d. Board of Directors review