[Histonet] Re: ASCP - My 2 cents

Fri Apr 1 16:06:48 CST 2005

Barry, You hit the nail right on the head: "If
expertise and salaries are tied together and for all defined positions
there is a requirement (for HIPPA or similar regulations) that in order
to perform certain tests you have certification, then salary should
follow."  
Regulations you speak of are more like CLIA '88, CAP guidelines and
licensure.  Except for a few states, like Florida, anyone can fully
function as a histotech without any type of certification.  Many states
are now addressing the licensure issue.  The lab professions in Illinois
(my state) are pushing for legislation but the histology professionals
in the state requested exemption from the bill because they were afraid
of a negative impact. Licensure is great for those that are able to be
licensed (certified) but can be a nightmare for those that have chosen
to work in the field for many years (I think Robyn says she has been
working 15) without certification that now suddenly find themselves
legislated out of a job.
   Pathologists and lab managers also feel the pinch in having to search
for certified people and the heartache of having to terminate loyal
employees because they don't meet the licensing requirements.
   In the 25 years I have been in the field I have seen pay and benefits
increase more so on the upper limits but not so much in the starting
range.
Licensure can be a double edge sword.  We just have to remember to be
prepared and duck when we see it coming.

Charles Embrey PA(ASCP), HT(ASCP)
Urbana IL   

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Rittman,
Barry R
Sent: Friday, April 01, 2005 3:18 PM
To: histonet
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Re: ASCP - My 2 cents 

Ruth
I can see where you are coming from but I do not agree with this
concept.
It is fine for individual histotechs to try to get as much salary as
possible from their current employer, good luck to y'all for this.
However this does not change the overall situation for histotechs in
general and depends on a one on one interaction or confrontation. The
concept of the squeaky wheel springs to mind. 
What is desperately needed is a uniform salary base for histotechs
depending on their level, certification etc. 
This does not mean that salaries would have to be the same for all
regardless of their location, but there would be a baseline for all that
all employers would have to abide by. 
We all recognize that some places are simply more expensive to live at
than others. What is needed is a base scale with appropriate adjustments
for location and for each stage of advancement in the profession.  If
expertise and salaries are tied together and for all defined positions
there is a requirement (for HIPPA or similar regulations) that in order
to perform certain tests you have certification, then salary should
follow. A united approach is, I believe, the only way to ensure our
profession maintains its standards of excellence and also is recognized
for its contributions to the health of patients.
Barry

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Cazares,
Ruth
Sent: Friday, April 01, 2005 2:22 PM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Re: ASCP - My 2 cents 

Hi all,

I just have to add my opinion to what is going on, on the Histo net.
Don't department heads have a say in what the qualifications should be
for tech positions?  Maybe it is time to get together with the powers
that be and make a change.  ASCP has raised the education level for
certifying histo-techs, this should be an opportunity to get together
with your administrators and make requirement changes for your Histo
tech positions. That is exactly what I am going to do.  If your
institution prefers to hire uncertified people to do the work certified
techs should be doing, is this a place you really want to work?
Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and deserves to know that
their hard work is appreciated.  If you don't get this where you are at,
leave.  There are a lot of other places in need of histo-techs.  

After my job was phased out at a hospital where I had worked for 10
years, I went to work at 3 different labs before I found my niche.  We
spend too much of our daily lives at our jobs, we don't need to be
unhappy and with high blood pressure the minute we walk into our lab.
Life is too short.

And as far as Continuing Education, NSH offers online CE and
teleconferences (about 8 or 9 a year ).  Leica and Thermoshandon (is
that their name now?) as I'm sure other vendors do also, offer 1 day
workshops for CEU's .  The continuing education for our field is out
there, sometimes we just have to look for it.

P.S.  I'll have a position open in December, anybody interested?

Lots of Love to all my Histo brothers and sisters,

Ruth Cazares HT (ASCP) 

Department of Pathology

Swedish Covenant Hospital

Chicago, IL 60625

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