[Histonet] Training Med Techs

[Poteete, Jacquie A.]

Well, I guess I'll stick my neck out, since I haven't seen many replies.
I'm an MT(ASCP)QIHC working as IHC Lead Technologist.  When I interviewed
for this position, there were evidently no acceptable candidates from
Histology.  I believe that I got the job because I'm an older tech who went
to Medical Technology School right after Columbus discovered America, and we
were required to complete a Histology rotation back then.  It's a shame it
isn't still required.  I certainly don't believe I'm any better qualified
than a Histologist, but I was in the right place at the right time.
Actually, I will always be grateful to Patti Loykasek who moved to
Phenopath, for providing the opening for the position, and for having the
skill to train me in the bare basics of the job in 5 days.  It makes no
sense to me why a qualifed histotech would be passed over in favor of a
medical technologist, because both are perfectly capable of learning
management, organizational, or technical skills.  A degree does not
necessarily make anyone a good medical technologist (even though it is
required) or a good histologist, but many institutions want those initials
behind your name.

Jacquie Poteete MT(ASCP)QIHC
Lead Technologist, IHC Laboratory
Saint Francis Hospital, Tulsa, Oklahoma
japoteete <@t> saintfrancis.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Orr, Rebecca [mailto:ROrr <@t> enh.org] 
Sent: Friday, March 17, 2006 9:04 AM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Cc: Delk, Linda
Subject: [Histonet] Training Med Techs


Hello everyone.

I would appreciate any feedback from those of you who may have had to train
MT's (ASCP) to work in Histology.

They would be trained as histo techs with the intent to promote them into
Anatomic Pathology (Histology) management positions.

Candid comments welcome, especially from MT's who now work in histology!

To me it would be like trying to train a policeman to be a fireman, it's a
career, not a job, right?

 

We see a HT shortage in the Chicago area, but I am unsure how to address
this.  

 

Degreed individuals have proven critical thinking skills via a traditional
education pathway, so I see the advantages, but to ignore very capable HT
managers with proven management and organizational skills via non
traditional pathways  is becoming an issue with me.

I mean it's not like Non degreed HT's are stooopid or something.

 

Thank you

Becky

 

 Becky Orr CLA,HT(ASCP)

IHC Lead 

Evanston Northwestern Healthcare

847-570-2771

 

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