There has been reference to someone else taking the practical exam instead of the applicant. Since the written exam has become a computer generated program what is to stop someone from taking the exam for an applicant. The reasons given for dropping the exam are very shallow. The idea that Victor and Barry have been tauting are the best ones. The time has come that the NSH step in and regulate us. If the ASCP still wants to certify us then they can send a representative to the different district to oversee and participate in the scoring of the practical exam, etc. It would be a lot cheaper that way.
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 [email protected] email -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of O'Donnell, Bill Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 10:01 AM To: Histonet Subject: RE: [Histonet] Practical Exam If, indeed, these were the two primary reasons for eliminating the practical exam, they are weak and lazy reasons. An increase in the fee to apply would cover costs, and, well, was it really that much of a problem of people doing other peoples practicals. I can't imagine it to be out of proportion to what might (I emphasize "might" and add "but likely did not") have occurred sporadically in all the years prior. I won't pass judgement on a single source, but would love to hear from someone who was a part of the decision process that eliminated this practicum. However, if it is true, my estimation of the ASCP has grossly deteriorated. William (Bill) O'Donnell, HT (ASCP) QIHC Lead Histologist Good Samaritan Hospital 10 East 31st Street Kearney, NE 68847 -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Rene J Buesa 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 <[email protected]> wrote: From: Rittman, Barry R <[email protected]> Subject: RE: [Histonet] Practical Exam To: "Victor Tobias" <[email protected]>, "Histonet" <[email protected]> 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: [email protected] [[email protected]] On Behalf Of Victor Tobias [[email protected]] 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 [email protected] 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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