[Histonet] Histotechs: how many are we nationwide?

Fri Oct 6 11:56:35 CDT 2006

Tim:
  I could not have said it better (even if that is really easy, I mean, saying something better than me!).
  Now since I get very focused (at times and while I am free from Al's grip; Alzheimer's I mean):
  I have to understand that without much difficulty we could be more than the 49,000 I "guestimated"?
  René J.

"Morken, Tim" <Tim.Morken <@t> labvision.com> wrote:
  Rene, 

The answer to several of your questions has to do with how a histotech fits in the medical field. The salient fact is that the histotech does not make any diagnostic decisions. That is the province of the pathologist. On the other hand, med techs are "signing out" cases all the time in the "clinical" lab and the pathologist only is involved when there is a discrepancy (sometimes not even then). This happens because med techs are for the most part reporting quantitiative values taken from their instruments. In microbiology they are reporting out postive/negative infections. Cytologists are reporting out diagnoses on interpreted information - far beyond most med tech work - and they have legal liability for it. 

Because of this diagnostic responsibility the med tech and cytotech has a much higher profile in the medical field than histotechs. Histotechs do the work, pathologists take all the glory (such as it is!). The histotech, in the US at least, is almost always an on-the-job trained person from a background that is probably not medical, or even biology related. The historical baggage has led to the field being seen by most as a backwater even today.

Of course we on Histonet know that histotechnology has come a long, long way since the days when all we did was h&e's and special stains. I realized how far when pathologists began asking me which antibodies we should run on various cases. I knew more than some of them! Histotechnolgy is the equal of any other medical lab field in terms of technology and relevance, but it is still not a diagnostic job. We provide information that must be interpreted, and unfortunately (for histotechs) in most cases it requires great expertise to interpret. I am actually quite amazed that histotechs can now demand the same pay as med techs in most places, and in some places even more. Indeed, in my home area, the San Francisco Bay Area, a histotech with only a few years of experience can demand 50K to 70K for only basic histology work (not IHC, that pays even more!) - and labs will fight over them. That is far different than 25 years ago. 

The fact some labs hire unskilled people and train on the job is a fact of life. As noted, there are few schools for it, and only a handful of students will ever even hear about the profession (thus my appearance in a high school textbook). Even if a student did hear about histotechnology, how would they get into it without extensive help? Every single lab I have visited wants more techs but cannot find any. Since they are allowed to use unskilled people, and train them, they do (and pay much less - no qualifications, no degree, no certification, why pay more?). The only way that will not happen is if hundreds of schools are opened. Who will teach at these schools? The only people qualified to do so are working in the field. How many of those want to teach? I've considered it but it is a big job so who knows....

So how may histotechs? A LOT more than the numbers suggest. The vast majority are not certified, do not go to meetings and never hear anything about such things. I'm not sure anyone has every tried to even figure that out (besides Rene!).

Tim Morken

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Rene J Buesa
Sent: Friday, October 06, 2006 7:31 AM
To: Pamela Marcum; Vinnie Della Speranza; DeBrosse_Beatrice <@t> Allergan.com; histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu; doug <@t> ppspath.com
Cc: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Histotechs: how many are we nationwide?

Pamela:
The number is probably higher,but we should try to know, strength is in the numbers.
Why we are not even considered amongst the medical professionals in the US Census?
Why nobody knows how many are needed to cover the retiring HTs, those that are "baby boomers'?
Why there is not a cry for more schools?
Why it is allowed that some "private" labs pay functioning histotechs salaries below those of other medical lab professionals?
Why is has been just now (2005) that the HTs salaries have been more or less reached the other salaries in the ML?
The oficial figures of ASCP certified have to be reduced at least by half; I do not envision many HT(ASCP) certified in 1948 to be alive! And the same goes for the HTL, I am one already retired and I am not alone!
René J.

Pamela Marcum 
wrote:
One area I don't see addressed is we may have had 20,000 registered but how many are still working. I was registered in the eight thousands in the mid seventies so the increase is not that great compared to what we seem to need now and the fact that many of us will retire over the next 5 to 10 years. The number of HTLs may increase that number however we are still woefully short of Histologist in all areas. I think actual numbers are hard to some by with all things considered.

Pam Marcum

At 05:55 PM 10/5/2006, Vinnie Della Speranza wrote:
>I'm trying desperately to stay out of this discussion but I can help 
>with the number you've requested. the NSH is making plans to celebrate 
>the 20,000th HT(ASCP) which is expected to occur this Fall. I don't 
>have #s of HTLs but it is of course much smaller.
>Vinnie
>
> >>> "Douglas D Deltour" 10/05/06 05:18PM >>>
>If that is the case then we should be able to get somewhat of an 
>accurate number from ASCP. I would assume???
>
>
>Douglas D. Deltour HT(ASCP)
>Histology Supervisor
>Professional Pathology Services, PC
>One Science Court
>Suite 200
>Columbia, SC 29203
>(803)252-1913
>Fax (803)254-3262
>
>*****************************************************
>PROFESSIONAL PATHOLOGY SERVICES, PC
>NOTICE OF CONFIDENTIALITY
>This message is intended only for the use of the individual or entity 
>to which it is addressed and may contain information that is 
>privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable 
>law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you 
>are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of 
>this communication is strictly prohibited by law. If you have received 
>this communication in error, please notify me immediately.
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: DeBrosse_Beatrice [mailto:DeBrosse_Beatrice <@t> Allergan.com]
>Sent: Thursday, October 05, 2006 5:10 PM
>To: Douglas D Deltour; LuAnn Anderson; Rene J Buesa; LaDonna G. Elpers; 
>Jackie M O'Connor; Zajic Kari
>Cc: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu;
>histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>Subject: RE: [Histonet] Histotechs: how many are we nationwide?
>
>Maybe, but it would make the number a whole lot more accurate if only 
>the registered technicians would be accounted for. Otherwise, why even 
>bother to have a registration.
>
>That doesn't have anything do to with the quality of registered verses 
>nonregistered histotechs. I know from experience they can do just as 
>good of a job. But you have to draw the line somewhere.
>
>Beatrice DeBrosse-Serra
>HT(ASCP)QIHC
>Allergan, Inc.
>2525 Dupont Drive RD-2A
>Irvine, CA 92612
>714-246-5116
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Douglas 
>D Deltour
>Sent: Thursday, October 05, 2006 1:44 PM
>To: 'LuAnn Anderson'; 'Rene J Buesa'; 'LaDonna G. Elpers'; 'Jackie M 
>O'Connor'; 'Zajic Kari'
>Cc: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu;
>histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>Subject: RE: [Histonet] Histotechs: how many are we nationwide?
>
>Can of worms...
>If you pass a NAACLS accredited school or get a degree in histology 
>then why wouldn't you call them a HT?
>
>
>Douglas D. Deltour HT(ASCP)
>Histology Supervisor
>Professional Pathology Services, PC
>One Science Court
>Suite 200
>Columbia, SC 29203
>(803)252-1913
>Fax (803)254-3262
>
>*****************************************************
>PROFESSIONAL PATHOLOGY SERVICES, PC
>NOTICE OF CONFIDENTIALITY
>This message is intended only for the use of the individual or entity 
>to which it is addressed and may contain information that is 
>privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable 
>law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you 
>are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of 
>this communication is strictly prohibited by law. If you have received 
>this communication in error, please notify me immediately.
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of LuAnn 
>Anderson
>Sent: Thursday, October 05, 2006 4:30 PM
>To: Rene J Buesa; LaDonna G. Elpers; Jackie M O'Connor; Zajic Kari
>Cc: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu;
>histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>Subject: RE: [Histonet] Histotechs: how many are we nationwide?
>
>I think that certification should be the issue.
>One does not truly have the title of HTif they have not passed the 
>registry exam. JMHO.
>
>At 02:47 PM 10/5/2006, Rene J Buesa wrote:
> >No, certification is not the issue, just how many HTs there are, how 
> >many of us share this art of histology?
> > René J.
> >
> >"LaDonna G. Elpers" wrote:
> > Our facility has 6 Histology Technicians, my guess would be that 
> >there are probably another
> > 15 in our town. The question would be if we talking about those 
> >certified only? We are currently half and half, 3 certified and 3 
> >not.
> >
> >LaDonna G. Elpers, BA, HT(ASCP)
> >Manager, Histology
> >BASi (Bioanalytical Systems, Inc.)
> >10424 Middle Mount Vernon Rd - Mount Vernon, IN 47620 P 812.985.5900 
> >ext 128 F 812.985.3403 lelpers <@t> bioanalytical.com 
> >www.bioanalytical.com
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> >[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu]
> >On Behalf Of Jackie M O'Connor
> >Sent: Thursday, October 05, 2006 1:46 PM
> >To: Zajic Kari
> >Cc: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu;
> >histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> >Subject: RE: [Histonet] Histotechs: how many are we nationwide?
> >
> >What about those of us who are doing the work of four people? Does that
> >count?
> >JO'C
> >
> >
> >
> >"Zajic Kari"
> >Sent by: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> >10/05/2006 01:28 PM
> >
> >To
> >"Rene J Buesa" ,
> >cc
> >
> >Subject
> >RE: [Histonet] Histotechs: how many are we nationwide?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >Hi Rene, I enjoyed your recent article in the new Advance, was very
> >interesting! I am only one in my facility, a general hospital. If you are
> >taking count!! :)
> >
> >You have now inspired me to re-new my severly overdue membership with the
> >NSH.
> >Cheers from West Palm!
> >Kari :)
> >
> >Kari Marie Zajic HTL,MLT
> >Histology/Pathology Supervisor
> >Palms West Hospital
> >Pathology Department
> >13001 State Road Eighty
> >Loxahatchee, Florida 33470
> >phone: (561)798-6036
> >fax: (561)753-4298
> >voicemail: (561)753-4299
> >pager: (561)610-4949
> >email: Kari.Zajic <@t> HCAHealthcare.com
> >
> >This email and any files transmitted with it may contain PRIVILEGED or
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> >
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> >[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu]On Behalf Of Rene J
> >Buesa
> >Sent: Thursday, October 05, 2006 1:32 PM
> >To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> >Subject: [Histonet] Histotechs: how many are we nationwide?
> >
> >
> >Dear Histonet subscriber:
> >
> >The US Census does NOT recognize histotechs (HTs) as a category of
> >professionals (the NSH is going to try to do something about that during
> >2007) so we do not know how many we are. Some indirect calculations are
> >needed to answer that question.
> >According to the US Census bureau:
> >
> >1- there are 5,193 general and surgical hospitals and perhaps 95% of
> >them have a histology laboratory = 5,000 labs
> >2- the average number of HTs per lab = 9 (range from 1 to 15 or more in
> >some).
> >So, in hospital settings there could be 5,000 x 9 = 45,000 HTs
> >
> >3- There are 4,084 institutions of higher education and perhaps 50% have
> >some sort of histology lab, veterinary, marine, research, botany, etc. =
> >2,000 histology labs.
> >4- those experimental labs have an average of 2 HTs (between 1 and 5,
> >sometimes up to 10)
> >So, in universities there could be 2,000 x 2 = 4,000 HTs
> >
> >Adding both = 49,000 histotechs nationwide.
> >
> >If membership to the NSH in 2006 (4,400 members) is any indicator (and
> >usually prestigious professional societies are able to have a membership
> >of roughly 10% of the profession) it can be said that the 4,400 members in
> >2006 = 9% of the proposed number.
> >
> >What do you think?
> >Are we more than 49,000; less? or is 49,000 HTs about right?
> >René J.
> >
> >
> >
> >
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Best Regards,

Pamela A Marcum
Manager, Histology Special Procedures
University of Pennsylvania
School of Veterinary Medicine
R.S. Reynolds Jr. CORL
New Bolton Center
382 West Street Road
Kennett Square, PA 19348

Phone - 610-925-6278
Fax - 610-925-8120
E-mail - pmarcum <@t> vet.upenn.edu 

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