Nomination Criteria

Overview

The Secretary of HHS appoints members to CLIAC based on candidates’ qualifications that enable them to contribute to accomplishing CLIAC’s objectives in the Committee Charter.

The HHS policy stipulates that Committee membership be balanced in terms of:

• Professional training and background.
• Points of view represented.
• The committee’s function.

Appointments shall be made without discrimination on the basis of:

• Age.
• Race or ethnicity.
• Gender or gender identity.
• Sexual orientation.
• HIV status.
• Disability.
• Cultural, religious, or socioeconomic status.

Committee members are Special Government Employees, requiring the filing of financial disclosure reports at the beginning and annually during their terms.

Important information for participants

Time and travel commitments include:

• Four-year terms, starting in July (or as approved by HHS)
• At least one meeting per year in Atlanta, generally two meetings are held annually
• Upcoming meeting dates are available on the Upcoming CLIAC Meeting page. Note that dates are subject to change and delays in member approval could affect the actual term served.
• Travel costs and meals are reimbursed at government rates; a small stipend is provided

Qualifications

Nominees must be U.S. citizens and cannot be full-time employees of the U.S. Government.

Current participation on federal workgroups or prior experience serving on a federal advisory committee does not disqualify a candidate. However, HHS policy is to avoid excessive individual service on advisory committees and multiple committee memberships.

Members are selected from authorities knowledgeable in the following clinical and anatomic laboratory fields:

• Chemistry
• Genetic Testing (including cytogenetics)
• Hematology
• Immunohematology
• Immunology (including histocompatibility)
• Microbiology (including bacteriology, mycobacteriology, mycology, parasitology and virology)
• Pathology (including histopathology and cytology)

Member diversity is also sought in terms of the following qualifications and perspectives:

• Medical Technology/Clinical Laboratory Science
• Clinical Practice
• Public Health
• Consumers

How to participate

Interested candidates, or the person/organization recommending a candidate, should submit the following items:

• Current curriculum vitae, including credentials and complete contact information (telephone numbers, mailing address, e-mail address)
• Optional: Letter(s) of recommendation from person(s) not employed by HHS

Candidate suggestions may be submitted by:

• Email in care of the CLIAC Secretariat at CLIAC@cdc.gov.
• Email to the CDC Federal Advisory Committee Nomination Portal.
• U.S. Postal Service:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Attention: Heather Stang, V24-3
1600 Clifton Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30329-4018

The deadline for receipt of materials to be considered for the next term is May 1st of each year. If you have any questions regarding these procedures, please send your email inquiry to CLIAC@cdc.gov.

What happens after applying

CDC reviews potential candidates for CLIAC membership each year. They provide a slate of nominees for consideration to the Secretary of HHS for final selection. HHS notifies selected candidates of their appointment near the start of the term in July, or when HHS's selection process is completed.

Note that the need for different expertise and individuals to maintain the appropriate demographic balance varies from year to year and a candidate who is not selected in one year may be reconsidered in a subsequent year.