Thanks Barry. I think you have the best idea yet. The NSH needs to have a hand in our credientaling so why not have them do it all and if the practical is analyzed on the state level by certified techs in the area such as techs from other states who are not the co workers or friends of the techs testing would be a great idea. Our peers are more critical of us than others. This would be a good thing to address to the NSH President.
Frances L. Swain HT(ASCP) A. A. S. Special Procedures Technician Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Center for Orthopaedic Research Barton Research Building 2R28 4301 West Markham Street Little Rock AR 72205 (501) 686-8739 PHONE (501) 686-8987 FAX swainfranc...@uams.edu email -----Original Message----- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Rittman, Barry R Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 9:37 AM To: Histonet Subject: RE: [Histonet] Practical Exam Rene I have always regarded the mechanism of sending slides in to be a big flaw in the practical, it it did offer some standardization. cannot accept the cost logic. The real question here is why is the ASCP running this exam at all? I have great respect for the ASCP but is this organizations main goal to represent histotechs? The ASCP was not originally organized to look after our interests. I thought that the NSH and the individual state societies were instituted to do just that. In which case why is there not a standardized test that is administered by the NSH? This can be done on a state level with individuals who are nationally certified . Will this be more costly that the current system. Of course - but if histotechs wish for better recognition and pay I believe that this is the only path. An alternate for appropriate salary and better conditions is unionizing. I know this has some disadvantages but lets face it with the national shortage of histotechs why haven't slaries and conditons improved dramatically, why are untrained people in some cases allowed to work in some positions? I know that many who are .....of by this continuing saga but I can only apologize because I feel strongly about this (and because I have more time following my semi retirement!!). Barry ________________________________ From: Rene J Buesa [rjbu...@yahoo.com] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 8:01 AM To: Victor Tobias; Histonet; Rittman, Barry R Subject: RE: [Histonet] Practical Exam There were 2 fundamental reasons why ASCP eliminated the practical part of the examination: 1- they got to the conclusion that there was no way to determine if the person sending the slides was the one who really made them, and 2- it was getting too costly to send the slides to review or to gather the reviewers to qualify the sections, so they decided to eliminate the practical and made the changes we have now (renewal and CEU). René J. --- On Thu, 2/19/09, Rittman, Barry R <barry.r.ritt...@uth.tmc.edu> wrote: From: Rittman, Barry R <barry.r.ritt...@uth.tmc.edu> Subject: RE: [Histonet] Practical Exam To: "Victor Tobias" <vic...@pathology.washington.edu>, "Histonet" <Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu> Date: Thursday, February 19, 2009, 6:30 PM 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. 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