FW: [Histonet] Can you lose your skill?

Fri Apr 9 10:26:34 CDT 2004

I meant to send this reply to the Histonet also.  Sorry for the mistake.

Diane C. Gladney, HT (ASCP)
Histology /Cytology Supervisor
Moncrief Army Community Hospital
P.O. BOX 484
4500 Stuart Ave.
FT. Jackson, SC 29207

(803) 751-2530
DSN 734-2530

EMAIL: diane.gladney <@t> se.amedd.army.mil  OR
                 dcgx1 <@t> aol.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Gladney, Diane C Ms MACH 
Sent: Friday, April 09, 2004 8:43 AM
To: 'Deltour, Douglas D.(HM2)'
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Can you lose your skill?

Douglas,

I disagree with you. I am the wife of a retired Army NCO. We traveled all
over the world and I had to take whatever lab position was available. I have
worked in Blood Chemistry, and even worked in an Army Oil Analysis Lab in
Panama. I couldn't get a job at the Army Hospital in Panama because of the
Panama Canal Treaty...the locals had 90% hire status because of the treaty.
The only reason that I got the job that I did have was because it required a
security clearance and the locals could not get the clearance. My lab
chemistry background made me qualified to work in a job that I had never had
any kind of exposure to do. With a little training, I was highly proficient
at that job. You will find that the lab science background may find you
working in jobs that you never imagined.  My first love has always been
Histology, but over my 25 years of civil service (33 total years in lab
field) I have worked several jobs in different lab environments. I never
lost any of my skills. I have performed all duties in the Histology Lab. You
may be a little slow at things at first if you haven't done them in a long
time, but it is like riding a bicycle....you never forget. Just a little
practice and you are back up to speed. Now, others may disagree with me, but
each person is different. If you feel that you cannot perform certain duties
just because it has been a long time, I advise you to have more confidence
in yourself and your training. If you love doing Histology work, then you
won't have many problems moving on to other facilities that offer more work.
I know that what you are doing now is not as challenging as a large lab. Be
patient; the Navy will move you somewhere else soon enough. If you are
bored, ask about doing some special projects. If you can contact a
pathologist at a larger facility that may be working on a special project or
some research work, ask if they would send you the tissue blocks to cut and
stain. I am currently working closely with a pathologist at Eisenhower Army
Medical Center on a special project that he is spearheading. I work at a
small Army hospital, so the project gives me new challenges. This
pathologist sends me the tissue blocks which I cut and stain with the H & E
stain or any other special stains that he may want performed. The only
stains that I don't perform are immuno since we don't do those type of
stains here (these are ship outs for us). I have worked with pathologist
from the local VA Hospital on special projects, too. So, there are several
ways to keep your skills up if you just look for the opportunities.

Hope that this gives you more insight. I know that you must feel very
frustrated. It is hard working for a pathologist just out of
residency....been there, done that, and sometimes find myself doing it
again!

Happy Cutting,
Diane 

Diane C. Gladney, HT (ASCP)
Histology /Cytology Supervisor
Moncrief Army Community Hospital
P.O. BOX 484
4500 Stuart Ave.
FT. Jackson, SC 29207

(803) 751-2530
DSN 734-2530

EMAIL: diane.gladney <@t> se.amedd.army.mil  OR
                 dcgx1 <@t> aol.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Deltour, Douglas D.(HM2) [mailto:DDDeltour <@t> sig.med.navy.mil]
Sent: Friday, April 09, 2004 5:53 AM
To: Histonet (E-mail)
Subject: [Histonet] Can you lose your skill?

Hello everyone,

I have a kind of odd question for you. I would love to have all of the
experts and non-experts feedback. Let me start off by saying that I have
been a Histotech since 2000 when I graduated from the school at AFIP. I was
sent to a place that did 6000 cases a year. We also did special stains and
autopsies. I was working there for two years when I transferred to a place
that did 18,000 cases a year. Specials, autopsies, and immuno's. Now I am at
a place where I do 800 cases a year. Maybe 5 special stains a year and no
autopsies. I am supposed to be here for three years but I am trying to fight
it. I am telling everyone that I am losing my skills being here. The people
that control this place tell me otherwise. There is one pathologist here
right out of residency who will not confirm that my skills will erode. He is
right out of residency and would not know. Anyway do you think that my
complaint is a legitimate complaint. Can you lose your skills if not used?
If you have not noticed already I am in the military, Navy that is. I just
need to confirm that a Histotech can lose their skill if not used. I would
appreciate any feedback, advice. Thank you.

HM2(FMF) Douglas D. Deltour 
Naval Hospital Sigonella Italy 
Anatomic Pathology, Histology Supervisor (HT)
FROM US: 01139095564862 DSN: 624-4862 
FAX FROM US: 01139095564680 DSN: 624-4680

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