Tracing our roots: a professional identity emerges: 1928 to 1945.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the early years of the American Society of Medical Technology and discuss major issues that led to contention between the American Society of Medical Technology and the Board of Registry.

DESIGN

A survey of literature on the history of clinical laboratory science was conducted. References consulted include various books and professional journals.

CONCLUSION

Clinical laboratory science began to develop a professional identity of its own, distinct from that of pathology, with the establishment of the American Society of Medical Technology and the publication of the American Journal of Medical Technology. These achievements illustrate clinical laboratory scientists' commitment to developing formal mechanisms to serve their specific interests and needs, independent of pathologists and the Board of Registry. Pathologists were successful, however, in maintaining control over other aspects of clinical laboratory scientists' professional identity, such as certification, accreditation, scope of practice, and code of ethics.