[Histonet] ASCP Exam

Wed Jan 31 19:47:18 CST 2007

It is Friday!!!!!
Jennifer,
I must respectfully disagree with you. I have two techs that obtained tissue 
from the same autopsy, processed, embedded, stained and coverslipped said 
tissue at the same time. I reviewed the slides as did my medical director. 
The techs were getting mad at me because I kept kicking slides back for one 
reason or another. One passed the practical, one didn't. I still don't 
understand how that happened. In essence, who ever graded those slides said 
that my pathologist and I didn't know what we were doing.
    Now, on the other hand, all prospective employees that apply at my lab 
sit down and cut a few blocks to demonstrate that they know how to handle a 
microtome.
    Book knowledge is one thing, but you have to agree in the histo lab, 
skill is very important. Just my 3 cents.

Joe "let the flaming begin, again"
BS, PA, HT(ASCP)QIHC

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jennifer MacDonald" <JMacDonald <@t> mtsac.edu>
To: "Larry Woody" <slappycraw <@t> yahoo.com>
Cc: <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>; 
<histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>; "Chen, Leslie" 
<LChen <@t> mednet.ucla.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2007 7:15 PM
Subject: Re: [Histonet] ASCP Exam


> Lack of a practical has nothing to do with mandatory certification.  The
> practical was a component of the HT/HTL (ASCP) certification exam. Passing
> of the exam gives the applicant national certification with the ASCP.
> Mandating certification may very well be dictated by pathologists, but it
> has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the practical aspect of the HT/HTL exam
> being discontinued.
> It is interesting to note that no other laboratory science certification
> requires a practical.  Does that make those certified applicants any less
> competent?
> Expense was not the only criteria that was used to make the decision to
> discontinue the practical.  There were many factors.   With HIIPA
> regulations obtaining the tissue was also becoming difficult for
> applicants.  Some applicants have access to fully automated labs, while
> others don't.  Some out there are unethical and don't do any of the work
> themselves.  What makes it a fair and valid exam.  At least with the
> "written" portion applicants must show knowledge of the principles and
> procedures and the ability to recognize problems and to troubleshoot them.
>
> Sending the slides to the graders is not an option.  The ASCP had a very
> sophisticated grading system to ensure anonymity to each applicant and to
> ensure that the grading was equitable.  Sending out slides to graders
> would have compromised a fair system.  You also open up the possibility of
> breakage and lost slides/blocks.
> There is no method of examination that will please everyone.  The ASCP,
> who had feedback from many people in the histology field, made the
> decision that they felt would be fair to MOST applicants.
> The ability to cut good sections does not make one a good histotech, just
> a good microtomist.  Just as the ability to pass the computer portion of
> the exam does not make one a good histotech, but the odds are better for a
> well rounded employee.  One needs to understand and interpret the stains
> they are performing, not just load them on the Stainer.
> Just my opinion,
> Jennifer MacDonald
>
>
>
>
> Larry Woody <slappycraw <@t> yahoo.com>
> 01/31/2007 02:04 PM
>
> To
> Jennifer MacDonald <JMacDonald <@t> mtsac.edu>, "Chen, Leslie"
> <LChen <@t> mednet.ucla.edu>
> cc
> "'histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu'" <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>,
> histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject
> Re: [Histonet] ASCP Exam
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Hate to say it but I think Pathologists have a lot to do with why there
> isn't mandatory certification for HT and HTL.
>
> Jennifer MacDonald <JMacDonald <@t> mtsac.edu> wrote:
> The practical will only apply to those that did not pass prior to 2007.
> Anyone that applies for 2007 and beyond does not do the practical.
> The instructions state do not download the practical instructions unless
> told to do so by the ASCP
>
>
>
>
>
>
> "Chen, Leslie"
> Sent by: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> 01/31/2007 11:42 AM
>
> To
> "'histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu'"
> cc
>
> Subject
> [Histonet] ASCP Exam
>
>
>
>
>
>
> I'm sorry, I'm confused about the conversations regarding the practical
> portion of the exam. Are you saying that the practical part is no longer
> required for HT or HTL cert for ASCP? According to their website, the
> practical is still required. There are practical instructions:
> https://www.ascp.org/Certification/CertifyingExaminations/cert_procedures/el
>
>
> igibility/htl.aspx
> Thanks.
>
> Leslie
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------
> IMPORTANT WARNING: This email (and any attachments) is only intended for
> the use of the person or entity to which it is addressed, and may contain
> information that is privileged and confidential. You, the recipient, are
> obligated to maintain it in a safe, secure and confidential manner.
> Unauthorized redisclosure or failure to maintain confidentiality may
> subject you to federal and state penalties. If you are not the intended
> recipient, please immediately notify us by return email, and delete this
> message from your computer.
> ----------------------------------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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
>
> Don't be flakey. Get Yahoo! Mail for Mobile and
> always stay connected to friends.
> _______________________________________________
> Histonet mailing list
> Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet