1. The military (US Air Force) even followed this approach; maybe in alignment with the civilian sector, with a purpose of cost savings or efficiency (by eliminating the med-lab foundation before histology). However, I would like to think that they viewed histopathology as a stand-alone needed specialty that required more time to focus on skill development. For unlike med-lab, our profession is a truly an "art and science".
When I received my histopathology training via the military in 1994 at the AFIP at WRAMC, all future histotechnicians had to complete medical-laboratory school. Now there is no requirement to complete med-lab school. Nevertheless, I was grateful for the med-lab foundation. Although my passion is grand scale healthcare administration, I love this field and will always try to improve and maintain my SKA in it. Hence, is the reason why I'm studying for my HTL. This is more than a job, it is a profession and thus a career. In the military (also a profession and career), we learn that for a job to be a profession or career it has to have the following attributes: - High degree of generalized and systematic knowledge- from Fixation, Processing, Specials, Immuno, Ground Histology, etc. - Primary orientation to the community interest rather than to individual self interest- we are key to patient care; i.e. we produce a product that the pathologist relies on to make patient diagnosis. - A high degree of self control of behavior through codes of ethics and voluntary associations: Ours are establish like organization like NSH, ASCP, CLIA, FDA etc. - A system of rewards or a set of symbols of work achievement. Our HT, HTL certifications are part of this. Bottom-line: our profession has a body of theory and specialized knowledge; a service orientation and a distinct subculture. So be encouraged my colleagues, be proud and know that our profession is significant to the field of medicine. I would highly suggest if you ever have the chance at a state or national Histotechnology event to hear the lecture from a pathologistd about our professional culture and the history of our profession. It will instill major professional pride. V/r IRB Ian R. Bernard, MSHA, HT (ASCP) 10th Medical Group- Anatomic Pathology Lab USAF Academy, CO 80840 -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Morken, Timothy Sent: Friday, May 25, 2012 10:56 AM To: Janet Keeping; [email protected] Subject: RE: [Histonet] certification of histotechnologists Janet brings up an interesting point. The rest of the world (ie, besides US) has histo as part of the med tech program and then they specialize in their final year. I have worked with techs from many other countries and in general are far more knowledgeable than the majority of even certified techs in the US. The US med tech programs dropped histo decades ago. I'm not sure why. Pathology labs certainly benefitted financially because it allowed them to hire literally anybody to do the work. But even in the US the med tech schools are declining due to lack of enrollment. Probably due to automation in laboratories they just don't need as many people. Tim Morken -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Janet Keeping Sent: Friday, May 25, 2012 4:38 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [Histonet] certification of histotechnologists Just curious if any consideration has been given to including Histotechnology in your medical laboratory programs as we do in Canada? our graduates are certified for 5 different careers and shortages in one particular laboratory does not seem to be a problem. _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list [email protected] http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list [email protected] http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list [email protected] http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
