[Histonet] histotech pay/respect

Wed May 21 17:01:57 CDT 2008

Unlike Jenn, I have worked (emphasis on "worked") for some real doozies. 
Even though I was a manager of a private lab, I was by a partner that "she" 
was the owner. I told her that I've been with this lab longer than you and 
never did any of her partners bring that to my attention. I was also told 
that a pathologist's time was more valuable than mine, so when a problem 
surfaced that concerned him, I told him that I didn't have the time.
To me, money isn't everything. I'd rather work in a place that had mutual 
respect, a nice atmosphere and friendly people.

JTT
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Hofecker, Jennifer L" <jennifer.l.hofecker <@t> Vanderbilt.Edu>
To: "histonet" <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu >
Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 9:37 AM
Subject: RE: [Histonet] histotech pay/respect

I would also like to "chime in" and say that throughout my career, I have 
been very blessed to work with wonderful pathologists. The majority of them 
supported and encouraged my professional development.  Unfortunately much of 
the time, their hands are tied when it comes to salaries.  I have learned 
that although money is nice, it is quite rewarding to work with people who 
respect me and value my contributions to patient care. I agree, there have 
been a few "bad apples" who did not treat me with respect. That's when it's 
time to polish up the resume.

Heading into the bunker now...

Jennifer L. Hofecker HT(ASCP)
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Division of Neuropathology
Nashville, TN
ph 615.343.0083
fax 615.343.7089

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Marshall 
Terry Dr,Consultant Histopathologist
Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 9:17 AM
To: Bartlett, Jeanine (CDC/CCID/NCZVED); Blazek, Linda; 
histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] histotech pay/respect

Gee, the number of times I would liked to have done that:-)

Terry

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Bartlett, 
Jeanine (CDC/CCID/NCZVED)
Sent: 21 May 2008 15:03
To: Blazek, Linda; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] histotech pay/respect

I have to say that the majority of pathologists I have worked with over the 
years have treated me with respect but not all.  And the ones that did not 
treat me respectfully did not treat any of the laboratorians with respect. 
So I can't say respect is always earned.  There are often a few bad eggs in 
the mix.  I can remember as a student (back in the day) one of the 
pathologists came into the lab with a tray of H&E's and shouted, "Who cut 
this sh**?!"  Then he threw the tray on the floor and broke all of the 
slides.  Now I am sure that type of behavior would never be allowed today. 
But honestly, over the many years I have been in histology I can say only 2 
have been truly disrespectful.

Jeanine Bartlett
Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch
(404) 639-3590
jeanine.bartlett <@t> cdc.hhs.gov

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Blazek, 
Linda
Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 9:26 AM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] histotech pay/respect

Sorry René but I don't think having worked with 12 different pathologists 
and being treated with respect by ALL of them is a matter of good luck.

Linda Blazek HT (ASCP)

Manager/Supervisor

GI Pathology of Dayton

7415 Brandt Pike

Huber Heights, OH 45424

Phone: (937) 293-4424 ext 7118

Email: lblazek <@t> digestivespecialists.com 
<mailto:lblazek <@t> digestivespecialists.com>

________________________________

From: Rene J Buesa [mailto:rjbuesa <@t> yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 9:09 AM
To: Blazek, Linda; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] histotech pay/respect

Having a good experience with a pathologist (or even with several) is a sign 
of "good luck", like ending with a good spouse.

We histotech should not be subjected to the "good (or bad) whims of 
pathologists", it should be a RIGHT to earn decent salaries and be treated 
with respect.

I am sure that during slavery times, there were bad and "not so bad" 
plantation owners!
René J.

"Blazek, Linda" <lblazek <@t> digestivespecialists.com> wrote:

Patti and all,

Horary Patti. I was just sitting here getting ready to post my email
when you posted yours. I was beginning to think I was the only one here
that has had a very positive experience as a histotech.
I've been watching this topic for a long time now and wonder where I've
been. I've been a histotech since the early 70's. The pathologist I
worked for in the early 80's wanted to know why I never took my registry
when I finished school. I guess a baby got in the way and no one really
required it. He pushed and encouraged me to take my registry. He was so
supportive and helpful to someone that waited 9 years to sit for the
exam that it was amazing. I did receive a healthy raise when I passed.
I have never in all these years worked for a pathologist that wasn't
respectful and included me as a part of a team. I have had a bit of
"red-headed stepchild" reactions from MTs but that never bothered me
since none of them had a clue as to what a histotech did. When they
removed the histology rotation from the MT training in the early 70's
they didn't have any exposure to our world.
Linda

Linda Blazek HT (ASCP)
Manager/Supervisor
GI Pathology of Dayton
7415 Brandt Pike
Huber Heights, OH 45424
Phone: (937) 293-4424 ext 7118
Email: lblazek <@t> digestivespecialists.com

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Dawson,
Glen
Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 2:45 PM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] histotech pay/respect

Joelle,

Best pathologist quote that I've ever heard myself:

"Let's face it, a trained monkey can cut blocks."

This was referring to trying to staff his personal research lab and was
said with all seriousness. Needless to say, this pathologist and I
didn't get along well at all. Unfortunately, too many share these
sentiments and don't have a clue that a histotech tends to do a bit more
than "cut blocks".

Sort of makes you wonder why any of us bothers with getting certified or
with obtaining necessary CEU's to stay that way.

Hang in There,

Glen Dawson BS, HT & QIHC
IHC Manager
Milwaukee, WI

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu]On Behalf Of joelle
weaver
Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 12:06 PM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] histotech pay/respect

In response to several postings regarding pay and respect- I have been
feeling somewhat better to read that others are disheartened by the lack
of respect for the effort and time that it can take to become a
certified, experienced histotech. The pay doesn't really bother me as
much as the attitude that I encounter on a daily basis that "anyone" can
do histology and that it is to quote "no big deal" to get certified. I
have to concur that in my experience, histology managers do not seem to
value or even recognize the skills and time it takes to perfect this
trade.I know for me, getting an HTL was quite a burden at times. I had
extra studies for sure. And, back in that day, the ASCP slide practical
was no picnic. At my own hospital, this attitude is epitomized by the
fact that routinely non-certifed, non-histology people are both hired
and promoted. I have never seen anyone with a histology background given
any sort of professional respect like that given freely to the MT
personnel that work there. They do not even recgonize an HTL as a
certification. They only give you a small increase for being certified
at all (HT). At particularly bad moments, this had made me want to leave
the field as well. So, I can relate very easily to everyone else's
sentiments. This hospital has been an especially bad example of the
"warm body" syndrome. It is almost crippling in terms of the quality of
the work and TAT. The inferior service and poor quality produced only
serves to reinforce the negative concept- it is indeed a vicious cycle!
At least (all of us) are not alone!
Joelle
_________________________________________________________________
Keep your kids safer online with Windows Live Family Safety.
http://www.windowslive.com/family_safety/overview.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL
_Refresh_family_safety_052008___________________________________________
____
Histonet mailing list
Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

_______________________________________________
Histonet mailing list
Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

_______________________________________________
Histonet mailing list
Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

_______________________________________________
Histonet mailing list
Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

_______________________________________________
Histonet mailing list
Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

_______________________________________________
Histonet mailing list
Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

_______________________________________________
Histonet mailing list
Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet 