Victor I cannot believe that you have said this. Although I did not think that the practical examination was the ultimate test of skill , it did at least provide some uniformity. With an extension of the logic that you use it is just as easy to allow the pathologist to certify that the technician is qualified even without a written examination. Without a somewhat standardized practical there is no guarantee that the technician will have any practical knowledge outside their individual laboratory. Didactic without adequate practical knowledge is, as far as I am concerned, useless. What is really needed is a national standardized written and practical test that is administered by NSH. I am not holding my breath that this will happen. Barry
________________________________________ From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Victor Tobias [vic...@pathology.washington.edu] Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2009 5:03 PM To: Histonet Subject: [Histonet] Practical Exam There has been discussion regarding the removal of the practical exam. To me it has not been removed, but the responsibility has shifted to whomever signs off on the student. In the case of OJT, the pathologist has verified that this student can cut and stain. Of course what is acceptable to one pathologist may not be to another. Do they get tested in the art of troubleshooting...... As far as the schools go, they shouldn't be graduating anyone that can't cut, stain and troubleshoot. So I don't really see a problem with the absence of the practical. It is Friday somewhere. Victor -- Victor Tobias Clinical Applications Analyst University of Washington Medical Center Dept of Pathology Room BB220 1959 NE Pacific Seattle, WA 98195 vic...@pathology.washington.edu 206-598-2792 206-598-7659 Fax ================================================= Privileged, confidential or patient identifiable information may be contained in this message. This information is meant only for the use of the intended recipients. If you are not the intended recipient, or if the message has been addressed to you in error, do not read, disclose, reproduce, distribute, disseminate or otherwise use this transmission. Instead, please notify the sender by reply e-mail, and then destroy all copies of the message and any attachments. _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet