Laboratory Informatics Certified Consultant

Volume IEntry 19 of 62 in 20123 min read2 comments ↓

Written by Gloria Metrick on April 10, 2012. Published as written. It may not reflect how these systems work today.

As I often like to do, I have based this post on this search phrase that someone used to find this blog “laboratory informatics certified consultant”.

The March Article on the Certification
In March, certification was the monthly newsletter article topic for my GeoMetrick Enterprises “Out on a LIMS^®” newsletter (http://www.geometrick.com/newsltr_signup.htm). So, for starters, here’s that link, which sums up my thoughts on the matter of certification: http://www.geometrick.com/five-certification-misunderstandings.html

None That I Know of, But I Don’t Think it Matters
Following from what I said in that article, I’ll point-out that the only certifications I happen to know about in laboratory informatics are product-specific. I don’t know of a certification process for the entirety of laboratory informatics as a discipline nor would I think it to be particularly useful considering there are so many products, processes and other factors to the field. A certification might indicate that someone has some basic rudimentary knowledge if a customer wanted a very junior employee to start with and train but wouldn’t help them find an experienced person. But since most people seem to think that a certification has something to do with having experience and knowledge, I think this would defeat the purpose.

On the other hand, maybe it’s time to realize that we need to redefine what we think “certification” means. In laboratory informatics, it tends to refer to some low-level skills and indicates that you have someone that has some very basic product knowledge and the test can be passed at the end of some initial basic overview course of the software, not from advanced product or usage topics.

It doesn’t even mean the person has any experience with either the product, doing a customer implementation, or anything that would help them program/configure/script the system in any efficient manner.

Certification Doesn’t Accomplish What Customers Want From it
Customers sometimes tell me they find this frustrating because they’d like to be able to find the right people by some easier way and are disappointed when certification doesn’t accomplish this. My response is that wishing it so doesn’t change anything and that, if you want someone experienced, you will have to read their résumé or CV, instead, or even interview them.

Making it Easy for You
If you really want to make it easy, just contact me here at GeoMetrick Enterprises (Gloria atsymbol GeoMetrick.com). I’m not only highly experienced but you’ll have someone with great references. Notice I didn’t add a smiley face, here, as I’m totally serious about this. If you want great services, go for people with experience and a track record – that hasn’t changed. You’ll find my code is structured, uses the LabWare programming standards, and that I do care about long-term maintenance and will not put in a bunch of junk just to get your system working without putting thought into KEEPING it working and keeping your maintenance costs down. That, plus I do actually spend the time to document what I’ve done and go over it with your people.

Gloria Metrick
GeoMetrick Enterprises
http://www.GeoMetrick.com/

Gloria MetrickAuthor

I still believe what I wrote in the article. I think certification in our area tends to be more of a marketing tool than something that separate the good from the bad. With that said, if you find an opportunity where getting certified helps you leverage yourself through your excellent marketing skills of it, then I would guess that it would pay for itself. If you can't do that, then consider the cost of getting the certification could be wasted.

It's like anything you do for your business -- sometimes, you do have to take a chance. You can't always look too negatively on these things, but you can't jump at each of them, either.

I personally do have use certifications to get business, as I had had certifications in some of the products I work with and not seen any change in my business from maintaining those certifications and, so, why bother spending the money on them. But there are other people who feel the certifications do help them get business. Possibly we each market ourselves, differently -- it's hard to know why one person does better by certifying, another by writing articles, and another by doing something else, altogether.

So, I think you have to somewhat consider what has and hasn't worked for you in the past. You sound as if you've relied on certifications so possibly you are more used to spinning your marketing toward those. That might be something for you to consider.

With that, though, since it has been many years since I have bothered with certification, I have not kept-up with who has programs for this. You should identify products where you think you see the most opportunities and consider how you could get your foot in the door with them.

The conversation

2 comments from 1 person, July 13 to July 15, 2013. Gloria replied once.

July 13, 2013
John
Hey Glo, thanks for this piece. I am a Medical Laboratory Scientist from Nigeria wishing to change/leverage my career. I am looking for the right IT knowledge for health-care/laboratory that will position me to be very resourceful and self-employed as my country begins to embrace healthcare/laboratory informatics. Just like programs like CCNA, MCITP, JAVA, ORACLE etc, is there such that one can do for healthcare/laboratory informatics? Your candid opinion will be highly appreciated.
1. July 15, 2013
  Gloria MetrickAuthor
  I still believe what I wrote in the article. I think certification in our area tends to be more of a marketing tool than something that separate the good from the bad. With that said, if you find an opportunity where getting certified helps you leverage yourself through your excellent marketing skills of it, then I would guess that it would pay for itself. If you can't do that, then consider the cost of getting the certification could be wasted.
  
  It's like anything you do for your business -- sometimes, you do have to take a chance. You can't always look too negatively on these things, but you can't jump at each of them, either.
  
  I personally do have use certifications to get business, as I had had certifications in some of the products I work with and not seen any change in my business from maintaining those certifications and, so, why bother spending the money on them. But there are other people who feel the certifications do help them get business. Possibly we each market ourselves, differently -- it's hard to know why one person does better by certifying, another by writing articles, and another by doing something else, altogether.
  
  So, I think you have to somewhat consider what has and hasn't worked for you in the past. You sound as if you've relied on certifications so possibly you are more used to spinning your marketing toward those. That might be something for you to consider.
  
  With that, though, since it has been many years since I have bothered with certification, I have not kept-up with who has programs for this. You should identify products where you think you see the most opportunities and consider how you could get your foot in the door with them.

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The conversation

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