ASCP 2023 Features CDC OneLab Virtual Reality Training Around Pandemic Preparedness

During the ASCP 2023 Annual Meeting, education focused on laboratory visibility and representation of a unified laboratory workforce took center stage. ASCP is an award recipient of a cooperative agreement from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Division of Laboratory Systems in service of the CDC OneLab Initiative, an effort to bridge, train, and sustain a community of practice (the OneLab Network) of clinical and public health laboratory professionals. The aim is to unify the laboratory workforce and respond more effectively to future pandemics. Bringing awareness of the OneLab Initiative and engaging ASCP members to join the OneLab Network is important to ensure the clinical laboratory workforce is provided with timely communication and information about free educational training necessary to support future pandemic responses.

As a part of this initiative, the CDC has developed a free, one-stop learning management system called OneLab REACH to provide a centralized location for both clinical and public health laboratory professionals to find training materials in the areas of Preparedness, Core Science, Safety, Informatics, and Quality. Recently, OneLab REACH expanded its training content to include virtual reality-based content for the laboratory, specifically around preparedness and safety.

During ASCP 2023, ASCP, with support from the CDC, provided attendees with access to the virtual clinical laboratory workspace in the Workforce Lounge, where members were able to check out the CDC’s LabTraining VR: Biological Safety Cabinet Edition, the agency’ first-ever VR laboratory training course. For those unable to attend, the course is available through CDC’s OneLab REACH platform and is compatible with the Meta Oculus VR headset.

To learn more about ASCP’s work supporting the OneLab Initiative and how you can get involved, check out our grant resource page here. 

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For more information regarding ASCP's advocacy initiatives and policy positions, please contact ASCP's Center for Public Policy at (202) 408-1110.