[Histonet] RE: QIHC change

Colleen Forster cforster <@t> umn.edu
Wed Nov 16 12:27:10 CST 2005


I agree with Pam ...completely. I too do research and I am HT certified 
because I started in the clinical route. While in the clinical lab I 
tested for the QIHC. It has been a GREAT benefit for me in my research 
positions and I encourage all people pursuning histology work weather 
research or clinicla to get registered. One never knows what turns life 
might take and the added skills/knoweledge will be a benefit!!

ASCP definitiely needs to widen their range!

Colleen Forster
U of MN

Pamela Marcum wrote:

> Hi Tim and Jamie,
>
> I know Jamie and have for many years and you are right anyone would be 
> happy to hire him for his experience in clinical or his current 
> research position.  However, it is also true that now research 
> positions are often asking for at least an HT or even HTL (ASCP) to 
> fill position with histology as the main focus.  Yet we are given a 
> set of criteria for tissue that often excludes animal research 
> applicants from completing the practical easily.  I took my HT many 
> years ago and I was told that even in a research position (and I had a 
> BS at the time) it would improve my salary and increase me to higher 
> level in the university if I got my HT.  I was told not to use animal 
> tissue (1976) as no one reading the exam could properly read them.  
> Now we have veterinary person there and tissue requirements can still 
> eliminate some people or make it almost impossible to complete the 
> practical with out help in procurement.  Why should that happen to 
> some one attempting to improve their position within the histology 
> community?
>
> My real problem with what you said about the QIHC is that I would also 
> like to take it and can not qualify either.  Yet those of us in 
> research are often finding the very antibodies and test methods 
> companies and diagnostics later fight to get or learn.  We are exempt 
> in your mind and ASCP's even though research is what you depend on 
> often for advances.  I have never and will never understand this logic 
> and exempt status for those of us  who chose not to be clinical.  We 
> are still often required to have or get ASCP status as a way to 
> advance and prove we know our field.  ASCP needs to get up to date on 
> the fields it is registering or make new categories for those of still 
> contribute to clinical advances every year.
>
> Sorry if sounds like I am picking on you Tim.   I just don't see how 
> we are required to be registered on one hand for acceptance (even NSH 
> likes to see it) and discounted on the other.
>
> Pam Marcum
> UPENN Vet School
> New Bolton Center
> Kennett Square, PA 19384
> 610-925-6278
>
>
> At 12:07 PM 11/16/2005, Morken, Tim - Labvision wrote:
>
>> Jamie, It seems from what you say that you are working in a research 
>> lab. Is
>> that correct? My understanding about the ASCP certification is that 
>> it is
>> aimed at providing a modicum of proof that a person is qualified to 
>> work in
>> a medical diagnostic lab. Research labs are not  considered 
>> diagnostic labs.
>> As you imply, a person in a research lab will often work on only a 
>> limited
>> sample set. Therefore, it is meaningless to apply the the ASCP 
>> standard to
>> research people.
>>
>>  If you are planning to move into the diagnostic field, then I'll bet 
>> you
>> could easily find a job in a diagnostic lab, get the experience, and 
>> qualify
>> to take the test. It may be that some diagnostic labs have a suggested
>> requirement to be ASCP certified as a QIHC, but the vast majority 
>> would be
>> happy to find someone with the experience you outline, even if they 
>> had not
>> previously worked in a diagnositc lab.
>>
>> Tim Morken
>> Lab Vision - Neomarkers
>> www.labvision.com
>>
>> Free webhosting for US State Histotechnology Societies:
>> http://www.labvisioncorp.com/demowebsite/index.cfm
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>> [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of James 
>> Watson
>> Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 7:28 AM
>> To: novanity <@t> nc.rr.com; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>> Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: QIHC change
>>
>>
>> This is my point.  With the requirements listed below someone with 25 
>> years
>> of experience doing immuno (single, double, triple antibody staining, 
>> making
>> own antibodies, and in situ Hybridization: all with and without using 
>> kits,
>> all with and without using an automated stainer) is not qualified for 
>> this
>> certification if they work in a research facility where 
>> immunophenotyping is
>> not done. There is no system of doing it on your own to prove that 
>> you have
>> the capability to do immunophenotyping in order to fullfil this 
>> requirement.
>> I guess it is time to start harrassing ASCP about the unfairness of this
>> system.
>>
>> >From almost always sunny San Diego
>> Jamie
>>
>>         -----Original Message-----
>>         From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu on behalf of
>> novanity <@t> nc.rr.com
>>         Sent: Wed 11/16/2005 5:55 AM
>>         To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>>         Cc:
>>         Subject: [Histonet] RE: QIHC change
>>
>>
>>
>>         James, to qualify for the qualification you take the 50 question
>> test
>>         and submit an employer reference form + of course satisfy one 
>> of the
>>         three routes.  There is no practical to submit anymore.  I think
>> that is
>>         what you are asking.  It seems to me that it wouldn't matter 
>> about
>>         specificity antigens/markers or what diseases or human 
>> cells.  There
>> is
>>         no requirement other than what is requested on the employer
>> reference
>>         form which you can't see the details until you order and receive
>> your
>>         packet. Is it possible for anyone to post a copy of the employer
>>         reference form.  From the ASCP website this is what it says "
>>
>>         Qualification in Immunohistochemistry
>>         Experience requirements
>>
>>         Applicants must have experience in the following areas
>>
>>             * Immunohistochemical and Immunofluorescence Preparation
>>               All of the following should have been performed by the
>> applicant
>>                   o staining technique
>>                   o selection of proper control material
>>                   o titration of immunologic reagents
>>
>>             * Immunophenotyping
>>               in at least one of the following applications
>>                   o immunodeficiencies
>>                   o immunoproliferative disorders (neoplastic and
>> non-neoplastic
>>         disorders)
>>                   o transplantation biopsies
>>                   o other immunophenotyping applications
>>                     please specify: ______________________
>>
>>             * Quality Assurance
>>               The applicant should have participated in Quality 
>> Assurance
>>         related to all of the following
>>                   o specimen fixation, processing, microtomy
>>                   o reagent selection, preparation, storage, disposal
>>                   o method selection, validation, documentation
>>                   o quality control
>>                   o safety
>>
>>         "  This is the experience which I am assuming is only 
>> documented for
>> the
>>         ASCP through the employer reference form, hence if you only 
>> do A and
>> C
>>         and not B you can't qualify unless your employer is dishonest 
>> on the
>>         form. Because even if you crosstrain into what I assume is flow
>>         cytometry but don't actually work it day to day as part of 
>> your job
>> you
>>         do not qualify because you have not had experience doing it 
>> for a
>>         minimun of 12 months.  As for research, same thing if you do 
>> all of
>> it
>>         every day then your good to go.  If not it is a grey or is it 
>> gray
>> area
>>         that I'm looking more information/details on.  In the past you
>>         qualified your work with different immuno stains as a 
>> practical , I
>>         don't remember there being a flow requirement.  Maybe I'm 
>> wrong but
>>         anyone have this info I'm looking for.
>>
>>         G Hurlburt HT(ASCP)
>>         sunny and warm NC
>>
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>>
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