RE: [Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)

2012-05-24 Thread joelle weaver

Jon There is a route with associates and training I believe. 
Of course I can't speak for the BOC, and I am sure that you want to help your 
employees as much as you can. I do see your point about the similarities in 
tasks. My thought would be that the exam eligibility states that they have to 
have recent experience in fixation, embedding, microtomy, and staining 
(histology) and the associated theory knowledge. EM is on the exam study 
topics, but also with the theory/experience for all those routine histological 
techniques, is how I read it. Take a look at the exam outlines, that should 
give you an idea of the scope. Ascp.org "get certified".  As I have been told, 
they want to cover the widest possible scope of roles histologists can perform, 
which could include EM, but not only that. If they don't have exposure to 
regular histology I think that it might be hard for to feel prepared for the 
regular HT or HTL exams. That's just my opinion, based on what I have observed 
and also the pass rates ( ~ 65%), for people even with training/experience- 
there could be an exceptional person out there.   I can understand not wanting 
to get buried in doing a whole HT curricula ( believe me, I do). How about the 
option of having cross training in a histology lab? Do you have routine 
histology on site or a nearby lab?  The best advice I can give is to go to the 
website and carefully read the requirments to see how your employees might fit 
in. If you want to provide the theory without having to do the curricula, there 
are on line programs out there which can supplement OJT and a supportive mentor 
and organization. I have seen this work successfully with motivated people with 
the ability to have hands on practice alongside. I suggest the NSH site which 
lists the accredited programs  or the NAACLS site which  has a search for 
programs, if that would help.  As far as employability, my opinion is that it 
would certainly open up options for your employees to also have skills in 
routine histology make them more valuable to your organization, and I would 
think certification would be even more helpful to them as far as options. 



Joelle Weaver MAOM, HTL (ASCP) QIHC
 > Subject: Re: [Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)
> From: jkr...@deltacollege.edu
> Date: Thu, 24 May 2012 09:53:21 -0700
> CC: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> To: joellewea...@hotmail.com
> 
> 
> On May 24, 2012, at 9:25 AM, joelle weaver wrote:
> 
> > 
> > I think that the original post was referring to people with a HSD or GED. I 
> > am not sure of the exact reasons considered in discontinuation of OJT 
> > route, but I recall some publications discussing the desire to raise the 
> > perception and awareness of the profession. The people with bachelors and 
> > the science credits needed can choose either the HT or HTL as I understand 
> > it, with the one year of verified experience/training. I think there is a 
> > route with a associate's and the required science credits available with 
> > the verified training for the HT. I believe there are now two routes for 
> > each exam if I recall correctly, one being the program graduate route  plus 
> > experience , and one with education requirements met and 
> > training/experience. There is a page on the site that lays this out if 
> > anyone wants to clarify/correct my recollection. 
> 
> OK, so I have a question.
> 
> We train students to do electron microscopy, both specimen prep and 
> instrument operation.  They fix and embed (in plastic) tissues and make thick 
> sections (1 um or less for us) and examine them using LM. It is not much of a 
> leap to add paraffin techniques and/or basic staining etc. We have most of 
> the equipment that would be needed already, but I am not ready to go into a 
> full blown HT curriculum.
> 
> So, the question is, if a student gets an Associates degree that includes the 
> basic science, would it help the student to get the basics of HT before 
> looking for a job? Or could they take the test, get something to show for 
> their work and make them a good job candidate?
> 
> Our students are skilled and could do the job, but figuring out how to help 
> them and give them the right advice is my problem now.
> 
> Jon
> 
> Jonathan Krupp
> Delta College
> 5151 Pacific Ave.
> Box 212
> Stockton, CA  95207
> 209-954-5284
> jkr...@deltacollege.edu
> 
> Find us on Facebook @
> Electron Microscopy at SJ Delta College
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
  
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Re: [Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)

2012-05-24 Thread Jon Krupp

On May 24, 2012, at 9:25 AM, joelle weaver wrote:

> 
> I think that the original post was referring to people with a HSD or GED. I 
> am not sure of the exact reasons considered in discontinuation of OJT route, 
> but I recall some publications discussing the desire to raise the perception 
> and awareness of the profession. The people with bachelors and the science 
> credits needed can choose either the HT or HTL as I understand it, with the 
> one year of verified experience/training. I think there is a route with a 
> associate's and the required science credits available with the verified 
> training for the HT. I believe there are now two routes for each exam if I 
> recall correctly, one being the program graduate route  plus experience , and 
> one with education requirements met and training/experience. There is a page 
> on the site that lays this out if anyone wants to clarify/correct my 
> recollection. 

OK, so I have a question.

We train students to do electron microscopy, both specimen prep and instrument 
operation.  They fix and embed (in plastic) tissues and make thick sections (1 
um or less for us) and examine them using LM. It is not much of a leap to add 
paraffin techniques and/or basic staining etc. We have most of the equipment 
that would be needed already, but I am not ready to go into a full blown HT 
curriculum.

So, the question is, if a student gets an Associates degree that includes the 
basic science, would it help the student to get the basics of HT before looking 
for a job? Or could they take the test, get something to show for their work 
and make them a good job candidate?

Our students are skilled and could do the job, but figuring out how to help 
them and give them the right advice is my problem now.

Jon

Jonathan Krupp
Delta College
5151 Pacific Ave.
Box 212
Stockton, CA  95207
209-954-5284
jkr...@deltacollege.edu

Find us on Facebook @
Electron Microscopy at SJ Delta College







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RE: [Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)

2012-05-24 Thread joelle weaver

I think that the original post was referring to people with a HSD or GED. I am 
not sure of the exact reasons considered in discontinuation of OJT route, but I 
recall some publications discussing the desire to raise the perception and 
awareness of the profession. The people with bachelors and the science credits 
needed can choose either the HT or HTL as I understand it, with the one year of 
verified experience/training. I think there is a route with a associate's and 
the required science credits available with the verified training for the HT. I 
believe there are now two routes for each exam if I recall correctly, one being 
the program graduate route  plus experience , and one with education 
requirements met and training/experience. There is a page on the site that lays 
this out if anyone wants to clarify/correct my recollection. 




Joelle Weaver MAOM, HTL (ASCP) QIHC
 > CC: joellewea...@hotmail.com; lpw...@sbcglobal.net; tpodawi...@lrgh.org; 
 > histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> From: cha...@yahoo.com
> Subject: Re: [Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)
> Date: Thu, 24 May 2012 10:50:23 -0400
> To: b-freder...@northwestern.edu
> 
> OJT is only available to HTL's via the route you described. 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> On May 24, 2012, at 10:45 AM, Bernice Frederick 
>  wrote:
> 
> > If OJT is no longer a valid route, then why can someone with a BS in 
> > biology and a years experience in an accredited lab be allowed to take the 
> > exam? Most of the people falling into said category learn OTJ  and at that 
> > learn the lab, not all the theory, so to me, OJT is still there since many 
> > of these people never went to histo school. 
> > Bernice
> > 
> > Bernice Frederick HTL (ASCP)
> > Senior Research Tech
> > Pathology Core Facility
> > ECOGPCO-RL
> > Robert. H. Lurie Cancer Center
> > Northwestern University
> > 710 N Fairbanks Court
> > Olson 8-421
> > Chicago,IL 60611
> > 312-503-3723
> > b-freder...@northwestern.edu
> > 
> > 
> > -Original Message-
> > From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
> > [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of joelle 
> > weaver
> > Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 9:26 AM
> > To: lpw...@sbcglobal.net; tpodawi...@lrgh.org
> > Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> > Subject: RE: [Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)
> > 
> > 
> > Peggy Thanks so much for posting this !! I see those job descriptions you 
> > speak of all the time. They actually contradict themselves within the 
> > description or job posting itself. Such as ask for HT/HTL certification OR 
> > 1 year acceptable experience, and then have education requirements of HSD 
> > or GED. There are a few people I guess that could be grandfathered, but wat 
> > is the certification and education they want/require?  Many people I have 
> > encountered working in the lab truly don't know the certification 
> > eligibility requirements now and think that OJT is still open- even as you 
> > pointed out the 7 year time elapse. I stopped trying to correct people's 
> > misconception on this and just direct people to the BOC/BOR website for the 
> > routes. I have no idea if they ever actually do it, but I do my best to get 
> > people to the correct information.  I agree supervisors or managers should 
> > be more informed on this and check before they advise people, but just my 
> > opinion.  I do think it is misleading to hire people and allow them to 
> > think that this alone can lead to their certification at this point if they 
> > don't also pursue the education. I have seen MANY people who fell into this 
> > situation and then were unable to change jobs if they needed or wanted to. 
> > I think only people who have ever been involved with teaching seem to know 
> > about NAACLS.  
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Joelle Weaver MAOM, HTL (ASCP) QIHC
> >> From: lpw...@sbcglobal.net
> >> To: joellewea...@hotmail.com; tpodawi...@lrgh.org
> >> CC: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> >> Subject: Re: [Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)
> >> Date: Thu, 24 May 2012 05:43:32 -0400
> >> 
> >> I'd like to wade into this discuss with a couple of comments:
> >> 
> >> LABS WANTING ONLY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES AND/OR NON-CERTIFIED "HISTOTECHS":
> >> Yes, I'm still hearing about places like this. When I talk with the 
> >> supervisors, it's because the lab wants the person doing the "histotech"
> 

RE: [Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)

2012-05-24 Thread Morken, Timothy
Bernice, I think you are confusing OJT with education requirements. The 
Education requirements changed, not the route of training. And the education 
requirements are simply for basic  math and science, not specifically for 
Histotechnology. Since histotech schools are so rare the vast majority of 
histotechs are still trained on the job. We just hired a person this week who 
came into the lab several months ago as a temp lab assistant for basic 
non-histo work and had no clue about histotechnology. However she showed 
excellent trainability, has a B.S. degree and became very interested in the 
work we do. We hired her as a full time regular general lab tech (not a 
histotech) with the intention of training her in to histology. She will qualify 
to take the HTL in the next couple years.


Tim Morken
Supervisor, Electron Microscopy/Neuromuscular Special Studies
Department of Pathology
UC San Francisco Medical Center
San Francisco, CA





-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Bernice 
Frederick
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 7:52 AM
To: William
Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)

So why was OJT supposedly off the charts in 2005 (so to speak). Guess not.

Bernice Frederick HTL (ASCP)
Senior Research Tech
Pathology Core Facility
ECOGPCO-RL
Robert. H. Lurie Cancer Center
Northwestern University
710 N Fairbanks Court
Olson 8-421
Chicago,IL 60611
312-503-3723
b-freder...@northwestern.edu


-Original Message-
From: William [mailto:cha...@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 9:50 AM
To: Bernice Frederick
Cc: joelle weaver; lpw...@sbcglobal.net; tpodawi...@lrgh.org; 
histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: Re: [Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)

OJT is only available to HTL's via the route you described.

Sent from my iPhone

On May 24, 2012, at 10:45 AM, Bernice Frederick  
wrote:

> If OJT is no longer a valid route, then why can someone with a BS in biology 
> and a years experience in an accredited lab be allowed to take the exam? Most 
> of the people falling into said category learn OTJ  and at that learn the 
> lab, not all the theory, so to me, OJT is still there since many of these 
> people never went to histo school.
> Bernice
>
> Bernice Frederick HTL (ASCP)
> Senior Research Tech
> Pathology Core Facility
> ECOGPCO-RL
> Robert. H. Lurie Cancer Center
> Northwestern University
> 710 N Fairbanks Court
> Olson 8-421
> Chicago,IL 60611
> 312-503-3723
> b-freder...@northwestern.edu
>
>
> -Original Message-
> From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of joelle
> weaver
> Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 9:26 AM
> To: lpw...@sbcglobal.net; tpodawi...@lrgh.org
> Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: RE: [Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)
>
>
> Peggy Thanks so much for posting this !! I see those job descriptions you 
> speak of all the time. They actually contradict themselves within the 
> description or job posting itself. Such as ask for HT/HTL certification OR 1 
> year acceptable experience, and then have education requirements of HSD or 
> GED. There are a few people I guess that could be grandfathered, but wat is 
> the certification and education they want/require?  Many people I have 
> encountered working in the lab truly don't know the certification eligibility 
> requirements now and think that OJT is still open- even as you pointed out 
> the 7 year time elapse. I stopped trying to correct people's misconception on 
> this and just direct people to the BOC/BOR website for the routes. I have no 
> idea if they ever actually do it, but I do my best to get people to the 
> correct information.  I agree supervisors or managers should be more informed 
> on this and check before they advise people, but just my opinion.  I do think 
> it is misleading to hire people and allow them to think that this alone can 
> lead to their certification at this point if they don't also pursue the 
> education. I have seen MANY people who fell into this situation and then were 
> unable to change jobs if they needed or wanted to. I think only people who 
> have ever been involved with teaching seem to know about NAACLS.
>
>
>
>
> Joelle Weaver MAOM, HTL (ASCP) QIHC
>> From: lpw...@sbcglobal.net
>> To: joellewea...@hotmail.com; tpodawi...@lrgh.org
>> CC: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>> Subject: Re: [Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)
>> Date: Thu, 24 May 2012 05:43:32 -0400
>>
>> I'd like to wade into this discuss with a couple of comments:
>>
>> 

RE: [Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)

2012-05-24 Thread Elizabeth Chlipala
Bernice

I hire individuals with BS and train them in the lab and then they sit for the 
HT or HTL registry after one year of employment.  I have done this consistently 
over the years.  I have had probably about 8 or so individuals train with me 
and then pass the registry.

Liz

Elizabeth A. Chlipala, BS, HTL(ASCP)QIHC
Premier Laboratory, LLC
PO Box 18592
Boulder, CO 80308
(303) 682-3949 office
(303) 881-0763 cell
(303) 682-9060 fax
l...@premierlab.com

Ship to address:

Premier Laboratory, LLC
1567 Skyway Drive, Unit E
Longmont, CO 80504

From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Bernice Frederick 
[b-freder...@northwestern.edu]
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 8:45 AM
To: joelle weaver; lpw...@sbcglobal.net; tpodawi...@lrgh.org
Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)

If OJT is no longer a valid route, then why can someone with a BS in biology 
and a years experience in an accredited lab be allowed to take the exam? Most 
of the people falling into said category learn OTJ  and at that learn the lab, 
not all the theory, so to me, OJT is still there since many of these people 
never went to histo school.
Bernice

Bernice Frederick HTL (ASCP)
Senior Research Tech
Pathology Core Facility
ECOGPCO-RL
Robert. H. Lurie Cancer Center
Northwestern University
710 N Fairbanks Court
Olson 8-421
Chicago,IL 60611
312-503-3723
b-freder...@northwestern.edu


-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of joelle weaver
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 9:26 AM
To: lpw...@sbcglobal.net; tpodawi...@lrgh.org
Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)


Peggy Thanks so much for posting this !! I see those job descriptions you speak 
of all the time. They actually contradict themselves within the description or 
job posting itself. Such as ask for HT/HTL certification OR 1 year acceptable 
experience, and then have education requirements of HSD or GED. There are a few 
people I guess that could be grandfathered, but wat is the certification and 
education they want/require?  Many people I have encountered working in the lab 
truly don't know the certification eligibility requirements now and think that 
OJT is still open- even as you pointed out the 7 year time elapse. I stopped 
trying to correct people's misconception on this and just direct people to the 
BOC/BOR website for the routes. I have no idea if they ever actually do it, but 
I do my best to get people to the correct information.  I agree supervisors or 
managers should be more informed on this and check before they advise people, 
but just my opinion.  I do think it is misleading to hire people and allow them 
to think that this alone can lead to their certification at this point if they 
don't also pursue the education. I have seen MANY people who fell into this 
situation and then were unable to change jobs if they needed or wanted to. I 
think only people who have ever been involved with teaching seem to know about 
NAACLS.




Joelle Weaver MAOM, HTL (ASCP) QIHC
 > From: lpw...@sbcglobal.net
> To: joellewea...@hotmail.com; tpodawi...@lrgh.org
> CC: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: Re: [Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)
> Date: Thu, 24 May 2012 05:43:32 -0400
>
> I'd like to wade into this discuss with a couple of comments:
>
> LABS WANTING ONLY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES AND/OR NON-CERTIFIED "HISTOTECHS":
> Yes, I'm still hearing about places like this. When I talk with the
> supervisors, it's because the lab wants the person doing the "histotech"
> job, but they only want to pay them at "lab assistant" wages. Plus,
> once they get the people trained as "histotechs", the employees can't
> go elsewhere, because the other labs only want certified histotech,
> and these people can't get certified as they don't have the associate
> degree and minimum 12 hours of biology and chemistry combined as
> required to take the ASCP HT exam. So these people end up having to
> stay there. (Personally, I think is very unfair to the employees they
> hire.)
>
> LABS NOT KNOWING ABOUT THE CHANGES IN HT REQUIREMENTS:
> Even though the High School route was dropped as of Jan 1, 2005 (over
> 7 years ago), I still get emails from labs that want to hire one  of
> my students, but their job description says high school diploma. I
> usually call these places up, and the histology supervisor had no idea
> the ASCP HT high school route was dropped. "Someone" should have told
> them. Even though it was in every "NSH in Action" for the 5 years
> previous (t

RE: [Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)

2012-05-24 Thread Bernice Frederick
So why was OJT supposedly off the charts in 2005 (so to speak). Guess not.

Bernice Frederick HTL (ASCP)
Senior Research Tech
Pathology Core Facility
ECOGPCO-RL
Robert. H. Lurie Cancer Center
Northwestern University
710 N Fairbanks Court
Olson 8-421
Chicago,IL 60611
312-503-3723
b-freder...@northwestern.edu


-Original Message-
From: William [mailto:cha...@yahoo.com] 
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 9:50 AM
To: Bernice Frederick
Cc: joelle weaver; lpw...@sbcglobal.net; tpodawi...@lrgh.org; 
histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: Re: [Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)

OJT is only available to HTL's via the route you described. 

Sent from my iPhone

On May 24, 2012, at 10:45 AM, Bernice Frederick  
wrote:

> If OJT is no longer a valid route, then why can someone with a BS in biology 
> and a years experience in an accredited lab be allowed to take the exam? Most 
> of the people falling into said category learn OTJ  and at that learn the 
> lab, not all the theory, so to me, OJT is still there since many of these 
> people never went to histo school. 
> Bernice
> 
> Bernice Frederick HTL (ASCP)
> Senior Research Tech
> Pathology Core Facility
> ECOGPCO-RL
> Robert. H. Lurie Cancer Center
> Northwestern University
> 710 N Fairbanks Court
> Olson 8-421
> Chicago,IL 60611
> 312-503-3723
> b-freder...@northwestern.edu
> 
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
> [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of joelle 
> weaver
> Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 9:26 AM
> To: lpw...@sbcglobal.net; tpodawi...@lrgh.org
> Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: RE: [Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)
> 
> 
> Peggy Thanks so much for posting this !! I see those job descriptions you 
> speak of all the time. They actually contradict themselves within the 
> description or job posting itself. Such as ask for HT/HTL certification OR 1 
> year acceptable experience, and then have education requirements of HSD or 
> GED. There are a few people I guess that could be grandfathered, but wat is 
> the certification and education they want/require?  Many people I have 
> encountered working in the lab truly don't know the certification eligibility 
> requirements now and think that OJT is still open- even as you pointed out 
> the 7 year time elapse. I stopped trying to correct people's misconception on 
> this and just direct people to the BOC/BOR website for the routes. I have no 
> idea if they ever actually do it, but I do my best to get people to the 
> correct information.  I agree supervisors or managers should be more informed 
> on this and check before they advise people, but just my opinion.  I do think 
> it is misleading to hire people and allow them to think that this alone can 
> lead to their certification at this point if they don't also pursue the 
> education. I have seen MANY people who fell into this situation and then were 
> unable to change jobs if they needed or wanted to. I think only people who 
> have ever been involved with teaching seem to know about NAACLS.  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Joelle Weaver MAOM, HTL (ASCP) QIHC
>> From: lpw...@sbcglobal.net
>> To: joellewea...@hotmail.com; tpodawi...@lrgh.org
>> CC: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>> Subject: Re: [Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)
>> Date: Thu, 24 May 2012 05:43:32 -0400
>> 
>> I'd like to wade into this discuss with a couple of comments:
>> 
>> LABS WANTING ONLY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES AND/OR NON-CERTIFIED "HISTOTECHS":
>> Yes, I'm still hearing about places like this. When I talk with the 
>> supervisors, it's because the lab wants the person doing the "histotech"
>> job, but they only want to pay them at "lab assistant" wages. Plus, 
>> once they get the people trained as "histotechs", the employees can't 
>> go elsewhere, because the other labs only want certified histotech, 
>> and these people can't get certified as they don't have the associate 
>> degree and minimum 12 hours of biology and chemistry combined as 
>> required to take the ASCP HT exam. So these people end up having to 
>> stay there. (Personally, I think is very unfair to the employees they
>> hire.)
>> 
>> LABS NOT KNOWING ABOUT THE CHANGES IN HT REQUIREMENTS:
>> Even though the High School route was dropped as of Jan 1, 2005 (over
>> 7 years ago), I still get emails from labs that want to hire one  of 
>> my students, but their job description says high school diploma. I 
>> usually call these places up, and the histology supervisor had no 
>

Re: [Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)

2012-05-24 Thread William
OJT is only available to HTL's via the route you described. 

Sent from my iPhone

On May 24, 2012, at 10:45 AM, Bernice Frederick  
wrote:

> If OJT is no longer a valid route, then why can someone with a BS in biology 
> and a years experience in an accredited lab be allowed to take the exam? Most 
> of the people falling into said category learn OTJ  and at that learn the 
> lab, not all the theory, so to me, OJT is still there since many of these 
> people never went to histo school. 
> Bernice
> 
> Bernice Frederick HTL (ASCP)
> Senior Research Tech
> Pathology Core Facility
> ECOGPCO-RL
> Robert. H. Lurie Cancer Center
> Northwestern University
> 710 N Fairbanks Court
> Olson 8-421
> Chicago,IL 60611
> 312-503-3723
> b-freder...@northwestern.edu
> 
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
> [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of joelle weaver
> Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 9:26 AM
> To: lpw...@sbcglobal.net; tpodawi...@lrgh.org
> Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: RE: [Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)
> 
> 
> Peggy Thanks so much for posting this !! I see those job descriptions you 
> speak of all the time. They actually contradict themselves within the 
> description or job posting itself. Such as ask for HT/HTL certification OR 1 
> year acceptable experience, and then have education requirements of HSD or 
> GED. There are a few people I guess that could be grandfathered, but wat is 
> the certification and education they want/require?  Many people I have 
> encountered working in the lab truly don't know the certification eligibility 
> requirements now and think that OJT is still open- even as you pointed out 
> the 7 year time elapse. I stopped trying to correct people's misconception on 
> this and just direct people to the BOC/BOR website for the routes. I have no 
> idea if they ever actually do it, but I do my best to get people to the 
> correct information.  I agree supervisors or managers should be more informed 
> on this and check before they advise people, but just my opinion.  I do think 
> it is misleading to hire people and allow them to think that this alone can 
> lead to their certification at this point if they don't also pursue the 
> education. I have seen MANY people who fell into this situation and then were 
> unable to change jobs if they needed or wanted to. I think only people who 
> have ever been involved with teaching seem to know about NAACLS.  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Joelle Weaver MAOM, HTL (ASCP) QIHC
>> From: lpw...@sbcglobal.net
>> To: joellewea...@hotmail.com; tpodawi...@lrgh.org
>> CC: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>> Subject: Re: [Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)
>> Date: Thu, 24 May 2012 05:43:32 -0400
>> 
>> I'd like to wade into this discuss with a couple of comments:
>> 
>> LABS WANTING ONLY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES AND/OR NON-CERTIFIED "HISTOTECHS":
>> Yes, I'm still hearing about places like this. When I talk with the 
>> supervisors, it's because the lab wants the person doing the "histotech"
>> job, but they only want to pay them at "lab assistant" wages. Plus, 
>> once they get the people trained as "histotechs", the employees can't 
>> go elsewhere, because the other labs only want certified histotech, 
>> and these people can't get certified as they don't have the associate 
>> degree and minimum 12 hours of biology and chemistry combined as 
>> required to take the ASCP HT exam. So these people end up having to 
>> stay there. (Personally, I think is very unfair to the employees they 
>> hire.)
>> 
>> LABS NOT KNOWING ABOUT THE CHANGES IN HT REQUIREMENTS:
>> Even though the High School route was dropped as of Jan 1, 2005 (over 
>> 7 years ago), I still get emails from labs that want to hire one  of 
>> my students, but their job description says high school diploma. I 
>> usually call these places up, and the histology supervisor had no idea 
>> the ASCP HT high school route was dropped. "Someone" should have told 
>> them. Even though it was in every "NSH in Action" for the 5 years 
>> previous (that's now over 12 years ago), in some ASCP publications 
>> each year for the 5 years previous, and on both the NSH and ASCP 
>> webpage for the 5 years previous, well, since they aren't NSH or ASCP 
>> members, well, "someone" still should have contacted them directly and let 
>> them know. Sigh.
>> 
>> I've had employees call that they were hired 

RE: [Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)

2012-05-24 Thread Bernice Frederick
If OJT is no longer a valid route, then why can someone with a BS in biology 
and a years experience in an accredited lab be allowed to take the exam? Most 
of the people falling into said category learn OTJ  and at that learn the lab, 
not all the theory, so to me, OJT is still there since many of these people 
never went to histo school. 
Bernice

Bernice Frederick HTL (ASCP)
Senior Research Tech
Pathology Core Facility
ECOGPCO-RL
Robert. H. Lurie Cancer Center
Northwestern University
710 N Fairbanks Court
Olson 8-421
Chicago,IL 60611
312-503-3723
b-freder...@northwestern.edu


-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of joelle weaver
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 9:26 AM
To: lpw...@sbcglobal.net; tpodawi...@lrgh.org
Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)


Peggy Thanks so much for posting this !! I see those job descriptions you speak 
of all the time. They actually contradict themselves within the description or 
job posting itself. Such as ask for HT/HTL certification OR 1 year acceptable 
experience, and then have education requirements of HSD or GED. There are a few 
people I guess that could be grandfathered, but wat is the certification and 
education they want/require?  Many people I have encountered working in the lab 
truly don't know the certification eligibility requirements now and think that 
OJT is still open- even as you pointed out the 7 year time elapse. I stopped 
trying to correct people's misconception on this and just direct people to the 
BOC/BOR website for the routes. I have no idea if they ever actually do it, but 
I do my best to get people to the correct information.  I agree supervisors or 
managers should be more informed on this and check before they advise people, 
but just my opinion.  I do think it is misleading to hire people and allow them 
to think that this alone can lead to their certification at this point if they 
don't also pursue the education. I have seen MANY people who fell into this 
situation and then were unable to change jobs if they needed or wanted to. I 
think only people who have ever been involved with teaching seem to know about 
NAACLS.  




Joelle Weaver MAOM, HTL (ASCP) QIHC
 > From: lpw...@sbcglobal.net
> To: joellewea...@hotmail.com; tpodawi...@lrgh.org
> CC: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: Re: [Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)
> Date: Thu, 24 May 2012 05:43:32 -0400
> 
> I'd like to wade into this discuss with a couple of comments:
> 
> LABS WANTING ONLY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES AND/OR NON-CERTIFIED "HISTOTECHS":
> Yes, I'm still hearing about places like this. When I talk with the 
> supervisors, it's because the lab wants the person doing the "histotech"
> job, but they only want to pay them at "lab assistant" wages. Plus, 
> once they get the people trained as "histotechs", the employees can't 
> go elsewhere, because the other labs only want certified histotech, 
> and these people can't get certified as they don't have the associate 
> degree and minimum 12 hours of biology and chemistry combined as 
> required to take the ASCP HT exam. So these people end up having to 
> stay there. (Personally, I think is very unfair to the employees they 
> hire.)
> 
> LABS NOT KNOWING ABOUT THE CHANGES IN HT REQUIREMENTS:
> Even though the High School route was dropped as of Jan 1, 2005 (over 
> 7 years ago), I still get emails from labs that want to hire one  of 
> my students, but their job description says high school diploma. I 
> usually call these places up, and the histology supervisor had no idea 
> the ASCP HT high school route was dropped. "Someone" should have told 
> them. Even though it was in every "NSH in Action" for the 5 years 
> previous (that's now over 12 years ago), in some ASCP publications 
> each year for the 5 years previous, and on both the NSH and ASCP 
> webpage for the 5 years previous, well, since they aren't NSH or ASCP 
> members, well, "someone" still should have contacted them directly and let 
> them know. Sigh.
> 
> I've had employees call that they were hired after the 2005 deadline, 
> with the job description of high school graduate requirement, and were 
> told they had 2 years to get the experience required, and then they 
> had 1 additional year in which to take and pass the HT exam. And when 
> they went to sign up to take the HT exam, they discovered that the HT 
> exam requirements had dropped the high school route and now the 
> on-the-job (OJT) requires the associate
> degree/60 credit hours with 12 credits of bio/chem, which of course 
> they don'

RE: [Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)

2012-05-24 Thread joelle weaver

Peggy Thanks so much for posting this !! I see those job descriptions you speak 
of all the time. They actually contradict themselves within the description or 
job posting itself. Such as ask for HT/HTL certification OR 1 year acceptable 
experience, and then have education requirements of HSD or GED. There are a few 
people I guess that could be grandfathered, but wat is the certification and 
education they want/require?  Many people I have encountered working in the lab 
truly don't know the certification eligibility requirements now and think that 
OJT is still open- even as you pointed out the 7 year time elapse. I stopped 
trying to correct people's misconception on this and just direct people to the 
BOC/BOR website for the routes. I have no idea if they ever actually do it, but 
I do my best to get people to the correct information.  I agree supervisors or 
managers should be more informed on this and check before they advise people, 
but just my opinion.  I do think it is misleading to hire people and allow them 
to think that this alone can lead to their certification at this point if they 
don't also pursue the education. I have seen MANY people who fell into this 
situation and then were unable to change jobs if they needed or wanted to. I 
think only people who have ever been involved with teaching seem to know about 
NAACLS.  




Joelle Weaver MAOM, HTL (ASCP) QIHC
 > From: lpw...@sbcglobal.net
> To: joellewea...@hotmail.com; tpodawi...@lrgh.org
> CC: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: Re: [Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)
> Date: Thu, 24 May 2012 05:43:32 -0400
> 
> I'd like to wade into this discuss with a couple of comments:
> 
> LABS WANTING ONLY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES AND/OR NON-CERTIFIED "HISTOTECHS":
> Yes, I'm still hearing about places like this. When I talk with the 
> supervisors, it's because the lab wants the person doing the "histotech" 
> job, but they only want to pay them at "lab assistant" wages. Plus, once 
> they get the people trained as "histotechs", the employees can't go 
> elsewhere, because the other labs only want certified histotech, and these 
> people can't get certified as they don't have the associate degree and 
> minimum 12 hours of biology and chemistry combined as required to take the 
> ASCP HT exam. So these people end up having to stay there. (Personally, I 
> think is very unfair to the employees they hire.)
> 
> LABS NOT KNOWING ABOUT THE CHANGES IN HT REQUIREMENTS:
> Even though the High School route was dropped as of Jan 1, 2005 (over 7 
> years ago), I still get emails from labs that want to hire one  of my 
> students, but their job description says high school diploma. I usually call 
> these places up, and the histology supervisor had no idea the ASCP HT high 
> school route was dropped. "Someone" should have told them. Even though it 
> was in every "NSH in Action" for the 5 years previous (that's now over 12 
> years ago), in some ASCP publications each year for the 5 years previous, 
> and on both the NSH and ASCP webpage for the 5 years previous, well, since 
> they aren't NSH or ASCP members, well, "someone" still should have contacted 
> them directly and let them know. Sigh.
> 
> I've had employees call that they were hired after the 2005 deadline, with 
> the job description of high school graduate requirement, and were told they 
> had 2 years to get the experience required, and then they had 1 additional 
> year in which to take and pass the HT exam. And when they went to sign up to 
> take the HT exam, they discovered that the HT exam requirements had dropped 
> the high school route and now the on-the-job (OJT) requires the associate 
> degree/60 credit hours with 12 credits of bio/chem, which of course they 
> don't have. They tell me that their histology supervisor says they are going 
> to fire them, because they can't take the ASCP HT Exam. I end up talking 
> with the supervisor, and advise them to talk with their HR and Legal 
> departments, as they are the ones who advertised the high school 
> requirement, and they are the ones who hired this person without the needed 
> education. And I suggest they help with person complete an on-line NAACLS HT 
> program, several of which will take someone with the high school diploma, as 
> long as they had a biology, a chemistry, and a math class in high school.
> 
> NAACLS STUDENTS TAKING THE HT (OR HTL) ASCP EXAM:
> NAACLS is the accrediting agency for HT and HTL programs. (Think CAP, but 
> for most lab training programs.) NAACLS has a long list of standards for 
> programs to follow. (Think CAP checklist.)
> 
> Standard 14 G has a statement "The 

Re: [Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)

2012-05-24 Thread Lee & Peggy Wenk

I'd like to wade into this discuss with a couple of comments:

LABS WANTING ONLY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES AND/OR NON-CERTIFIED "HISTOTECHS":
Yes, I'm still hearing about places like this. When I talk with the 
supervisors, it's because the lab wants the person doing the "histotech" 
job, but they only want to pay them at "lab assistant" wages. Plus, once 
they get the people trained as "histotechs", the employees can't go 
elsewhere, because the other labs only want certified histotech, and these 
people can't get certified as they don't have the associate degree and 
minimum 12 hours of biology and chemistry combined as required to take the 
ASCP HT exam. So these people end up having to stay there. (Personally, I 
think is very unfair to the employees they hire.)


LABS NOT KNOWING ABOUT THE CHANGES IN HT REQUIREMENTS:
Even though the High School route was dropped as of Jan 1, 2005 (over 7 
years ago), I still get emails from labs that want to hire one  of my 
students, but their job description says high school diploma. I usually call 
these places up, and the histology supervisor had no idea the ASCP HT high 
school route was dropped. "Someone" should have told them. Even though it 
was in every "NSH in Action" for the 5 years previous (that's now over 12 
years ago), in some ASCP publications each year for the 5 years previous, 
and on both the NSH and ASCP webpage for the 5 years previous, well, since 
they aren't NSH or ASCP members, well, "someone" still should have contacted 
them directly and let them know. Sigh.


I've had employees call that they were hired after the 2005 deadline, with 
the job description of high school graduate requirement, and were told they 
had 2 years to get the experience required, and then they had 1 additional 
year in which to take and pass the HT exam. And when they went to sign up to 
take the HT exam, they discovered that the HT exam requirements had dropped 
the high school route and now the on-the-job (OJT) requires the associate 
degree/60 credit hours with 12 credits of bio/chem, which of course they 
don't have. They tell me that their histology supervisor says they are going 
to fire them, because they can't take the ASCP HT Exam. I end up talking 
with the supervisor, and advise them to talk with their HR and Legal 
departments, as they are the ones who advertised the high school 
requirement, and they are the ones who hired this person without the needed 
education. And I suggest they help with person complete an on-line NAACLS HT 
program, several of which will take someone with the high school diploma, as 
long as they had a biology, a chemistry, and a math class in high school.


NAACLS STUDENTS TAKING THE HT (OR HTL) ASCP EXAM:
NAACLS is the accrediting agency for HT and HTL programs. (Think CAP, but 
for most lab training programs.) NAACLS has a long list of standards for 
programs to follow. (Think CAP checklist.)


Standard 14 G has a statement "The granting of the degree or certificate 
must not be contingent upon the student's passing any type of external 
certification or licensure examination."


(Explanation: Not all HT programs end in an associate degree. The 
certificate refers to a certificate of completion of a program. My program, 
for example, is hospital-based. Some students already have their degree 
before they start my program. Some have all the college credits except for 
the ones they are earning while completing the internship, then they earn 
their degree from the college when they complete the internship and get the 
grade for those last credit hours. The hospital doesn't grant the degree, 
the college does. The hospital program grants a certificate of completion of 
the program, which is acceptable to NAACLS, ASCP, and employers.)


As NAACLS accredited HT or HTL programs, we can encourage our students to 
take the HT/HTL exam upon completion of the program. We can do review 
sessions with them. We can remind them of the deadlines to sign up. We can 
help them sign up if they are having problems. We can let them know that 
labs in our area expect people to be certified. We can let them know that 
they can sign up while still in the program (couple of months before 
graduation), and they can, before they graduate, pick a date to take the 
exam after graduation. We can tell them that these dates to take the exams 
can be put on their resume, on the application, and that they can inform the 
supervisor during the interview that they are already signed up to take the 
HT/HTL exam.


But we can NOT "make" the student take the exam. Completion of the program 
cannot be contingent upon taking or passing the HT/HTL exam (or getting 
state licensure). The program could lose NAACLS accreditation if we force 
the student to take the HT/HTL/state licensure exam, or withhold their 
degree or certificate until they do take/pass the HT/HTL exam/become state 
licensed.


Thanks for "listening".

Peggy A. Wenk, HTL(ASCP)SLS
Program Director, Schoo