Yvette, To answer your original question, Yes, non certified techs can be hired. However, the tide is turning in that respect. Non certified techs, in some places where registry is required, may be classified as aides or assistants, receiving the salary for that position. In some labs the noncertified tech is the most experienced and knowledgable, but the lowest paid. Keep that in mind.
Now to the discussion on programs for histotechnology. I currently work as an instructor for a local program and face the same issues as the others, low exposure, limited clinical sites, no funds, and a need to increase enrollment yesterday. Our program is the oldest at our facility (1949ish), and yet very few places know of our existence. I have gone to local colleges to recruit students, but the professors there don't even know about us. Most four year institutions are afraid that we will steal their students, since we offer the HTL bachelor's, but I have appealed to the Pre-Med, Pre-Pharm, and Pre-Nursing students who have the prereqs, and didn't get into the school of choice. We will see if this appeal works. I fell into histology that way and have never regretted it. Others have as well. It did get me in the door, and that is saying something, since our school recruiter couldn't do that. Here in Houston, some labs are asking for HTL's for mangement tracks and IHC operations. So we are hopeful in that aspect. Actually we have a local CC offering an AAS HT program as well, and are getting some inquiry's about continuing on in our program for a bachelor's. We see the need for qualified staff, but in trying to fill it, we wonder if we meet our goal of minimum students will we flood the market locally? A good portion of our students are mature. How will we provide quality training and instruction in such a large quantity? Will the local and national chapters of the organization support our endeavors by getting the word out to the employers about certifed staff? And finally, will the pathologists and employers give us the respect we deserve with adequate pay? Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT (ASCP) Education Coordinator Program in Histotechnology School of Health Professions MD Anderson Cancer Center (713) 563-3481 [email protected] Yvette asks: >>Is anybody hiring techs without a certification?<< Is anybody hiring techs WITH a certification? With a coming retirement, the two labs I'm working in now will have NO certified histotechs (total of four workers) - all OJT's. Some of them probably have the educational qualifications to sit the exam, but management isn't very sympathetic - I'll have to buy them a copy of the 3rd edition of Freida Carson's book, for starters. Bob Richmond Samurai Pathologist Knoxville TN Currently we have too few schools and not enough slots in the schools we have for Histology to grow ans educate people properly. It is hard to tell if the ASCP and NSH are just unaware of the issues or not interested as we see schools close and career days at NSH for high school students yet no real action. They need to assist what many of us are doing now - OJT with people who have the AA or AS degree and hope they stay in the field. The majority of people I meet and tell what I do have no idea that the field of Histology exists or how important it can be to a patient having surgery and awaiting a diagnosis. I currently have two people we are training as we can't find qualified people here and at least they are the best we could find. The second issue is pay and the fact that any Histology area controlled by Clinical Laboratory is in an uphill battle to get salaries raised as the CP people all seem to feel if you don't have a BS you can't rate better pay. I do realize we have many MTs in Histology and they usually great for us. It is the management that cannot get by the requirements to help us go forward. They should look at the fact many of the Histologist now working will retire in the next ten years and then where will they be in finding people for this field? Pam Marcum Personal Option The NSH and ASCP are well aware of the lack of schools, but are powerless to do anything about it. With cutbacks in education and healthcare schools and hospitals are cutting back on training as it takes time and money. What type of assistance are you speaking about for the OJT people who have the AA/AS? The ASCP recognizes these individuals through route 2 for the HT (ASCP) exam. One of the reasons that our program and others do not take more students is that we cannot find facilities that are willing to take on the clinical experience for students. Many of the histology labs are unwilling or unable to train students. What type of action would you like the NSH and ASCP to take? Jennifer MacDonald Jennifer, I am not sure you understood that I know the paths to getting registration. We can argue this forever however; the outcome is the same too little; too late for Histology to grow. No one in a Med Tech program since the middle 60's is required to even set foot in Histology so we are the not known and will not be until we or one of these organizations goes beyond lip service and promises. After 40 years I am still asked what kind of history I teach. I explain what we do and generally hear of that's great, never knew you guys existed. I go to schools when I can someone to invite me and still it is not a field anyone knows. We currently have two people training in our lab. One has an AA and the other an AS degree. Both are taking additional science and chemistry courses to help them understand what they are being taught. I am the person in charge of the Histology Lab, the Gross Room and the Morgue. So, Yes I know the paths for all three areas. Unfortunately, the ASCP and NSH are aware and still when there is a meeting for CLMA , ASCP or other areas of the laboratory you will be lucky to find a lecture on anything to do with Histology whether local or national. No funds are available for anyone to go to a meeting or travel. IF NSH is not local most people can't get there. So exactly where are we to get education CEUs if no one will pay for them and we are at the lowest end of the pay scale and can't? Most of the Histologist here are unable to travel more than 10 to 50 miles for a meeting even in the state. We are at a University and have been told point blank no education money (time off only), no classes unless they are free and oh by the way be sure the new ones get their CEUs to keep their registries. We have also been told anyone without a BS will be paid like a LST and the HT does not qualify them for a raise or higher pay. I have friends at other major institutes who are being told the same thing. We ask in the early 90's for the education levels to be raised by NSH and still took years to happen. I have been in Histology for over 40 years and still love the field, just hate the way we are treated in comparison to the CP area. Try hiring someone under the new guidelines for grossing without a PA license and see what you get. It is just as hard and just a few schools for that field too. When you get the PA license try getting the pay outside a major metropolitan area. Pam Marcum Still my opinion " Pamela, Thank you for clarifying. This is not what I understood from you first post. Jennifer ***********************************
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