Connect, train, and empower a community of practice
OneLab TEST aims to connect, train, and empower a community of practice among professionals and volunteers who perform or coordinate testing at non-laboratory sites. Ultimately, OneLab TEST will strengthen connections between the testing community and CDC to support the ever-increasing need to expand access to diagnostic testing.
Volunteers and others within the community play a vital role in preventing and controlling disease. For example, school administrators or employee health coordinators may perform or coordinate diagnostic testing in non-laboratory settings, such as drive-through testing sites.
CDC developed OneLab TEST, the newest element of CDC OneLab™, in response to the increasing need to expand access to diagnostic testing.
OneLab TEST seeks to:
- Connect the testing community and exchange lessons learned
- Train the testing community with free educational resources
- Empower testers to train and learn from one another in a community of practice
A unified response to shared goals
OneLab TEST (Timely Education and Support of Testers) is a community of practice (CoP) designed to strengthen connections between the testing community and CDC. This CoP includes healthcare professionals, who perform tests in office settings, as well as individuals — often volunteers — who perform testing in non-laboratory settings, such as schools and drive-through sites. OneLab TEST members can access free CDC resources, including toolkits, job aids, training, and webinars.
“OneLab TEST aims to meet the most urgent training needs of testers and provide a collaborative network where they can connect, train, and build community,” says Kelly Winter, PhD, MPH, CDC Division of Laboratory Systems Training and Workforce Development branch (TWDB) chief. “TWDB seeks to continually fill training gaps, facilitate peer-to-peer connection, and enhance learning for this new community of practice.”
Supporting a diverse learning community
Testing professionals and volunteers, with or without a medical background, can benefit from joining OneLab TEST. OneLab TEST is open to individuals who work in non-laboratory settings, including:
- Clinics and physician offices
- Pharmacies
- Long-term care or assisted living facilities
- Health departments
- Drive-through or workplace testing sites
- Schools
Here’s how to join:
- Create a new OneLab REACH™ account
- Select Opt in to OneLab TEST on the first registration screen
- Click Create Account
- Complete the registration process and demographic survey
- Enjoy a variety of free membership benefits
Questions? Email OneLabTEST@cdc.gov or visit this page for more information.