Talking Testing With Christine Nielsen, CAE of the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science

Associations Connect Podcast – Episode 5

How did one association leader and her staff pivot seamlessly to help members who are performing essential testing during the pandemic? Tune in to hear Christine Nielsen, CAE and CEO of the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS), discuss how her association delivers relevant programs and services to medical lab technologists and assistants.

Here’s a preview of what you’ll learn:

• Listen as Nielsen discusses the early days of the pandemic and how CSMLS formulated its plan for business continuity.

• Find out why the organization emphasizes communication and its role in providing physical and emotional support for remote workers.

• Hear how Nielsen works to stay in touch with her busy board of directors and employed email voting for critical issues requiring a board motion.

Plus, learn how CSMLS’s timely pre-pandemic shift to an “all-in-one” membership pricing model has increased consumption of online learning during the pandemic, as members seek professional development and reliable information.

“It has forced a lot of innovation,” said Nielsen. “Some of the things that would have taken years to implement are happening quickly.”

As the association works to meet its biggest challenge – that of delivering a high stakes certification exam for medical laboratory technologists and assistants at a time when those practitioners are badly needed – it has had to work on multiple levels of contingency planning. As an example, CSMLS moved to adopt remote proctoring in less than eight weeks – a process Nielsen said would have normally taken 1.5 years.

“One of the most amazing things that has happened as we work towards the new normal is innovation,” she said. “If you can be nimble, this is the time to flex that muscle.”

Nielsen’s final takeaway tips for association leaders:

• Automate your processes: CSMLS moved to an online system with digital payment processing and auto deposit for its membership.

• Be timely but accurate: Information changes rapidly as the pandemic unfolds. To deliver reliable updates to its members, CSMLS established a COVID landing page with links to credible sources.

• Cultivate gratitude: Let’s be creative about replacing the emotional support we used to get at the office. Be kind to each other and take the time you need to personally recharge.

Click here to hear how CSMLS is meeting the needs of its essential service membership with guest Christine Nielsen, in Associations Connect Podcast – Episode 5.