[Histonet] Salary / Temp positions

Fri Apr 11 07:24:42 CDT 2008

There are 2 routes to take the ASCP HT exam.

Route 1: Successful completion of a NAACLS accredited Histotechnician
program within the last 5 years prior to the date of application for
examination; or

Route 2: Associate degree or at least 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours)
of academic credit from a regionally accredited college/university, with a
combination of 12 semester hours (18 quarter hours) of biology and
chemistry, AND one year full time acceptable experience in histopathology in
the U.S., Canada or a CAP/The Joint Commission (JCAHO)/AABB accredited
laboratory within the last ten years under the supervision of a pathologist
(certified by the American Board of Pathology in Anatomic Pathology), or an
appropriately board certified medical scientist.

So, if you notice, Route 2 is the on-the-job training route (OJT) that DOES
require an associate degree or 60 semester hours.

However, Route 1 is through a NAACLS HT program. ASCP does not require any
degree or classes to take the HT exam via this route. 

However, if you were to look at the NAACLS requirements for accreditation of
a HT program, the  minimum requirement is completion of high school and the
person must have taken (minimum) 1 biology, 1 chemistry and 1 math course,
sometime in high school or college, before entering the HT program.

Now, every HT NAACLS program can set their own standards, as long as they
meet the NAACLS requirements or are higher. For example, my HT program
requires an associate degree, with anatomy, physiology, microbiology, 2
chemistry, and intermediate college algebra as my minimum. I am affiliated
with several community colleges, so the students earn 12-15 college credits
while attending my program, which show up on the transcript along with the
grade they earn in my program, which gets figured into their GPA. For these
affiliated colleges, the associate degree in HT also requires the students
to take technical writing, medical terminology, medical law/ethics. If I
don't fill my class with students from my affiliates, then I go to people
with associate degrees from other institutions who meet my minimum.

Other NAACLS HT program will take people with HS diploma (with the
bio/chem/math), or some college (with the bio/chem/math), or a full
associate degree (with the bio/chem/math). Some will require additional
classes.

So, in the case of Indiana U, I believe they will take someone with a HS
diploma, with a bio, chem and math classes from HS, and accept them into the
program. Once they successfully complete the IU program, they can sit for
the ASCP HT exam via Route 1.

There are several HT distance learning programs out there, that you might
want to check into for yourself or for other people in your lab that want to
take the ASCP HT exam, and either don't qualify now, or need some additional
help studying. I don't know the "minimum requirements" for these NAACLS
programs. You would have to check them out yourself.

Indiana University School of Medicine
Coleman Hall, Room 322
1140 West Michigan Street
Indianapolis, IN  46202-5113  
Ms. Debra Wood BS, HT(ASCP)
(317) 491 6410

Harford Community College
Allied Health Department
401 Thomas Run Road
Bel Air, MD  21014  
Ms. Anne Marie McCauley, RN, BS
410) 836-4389 

University of North Dakota
School of Medicine & Health Sciences - Dept. of Pathology
PO Box 9037
Grand Forks, ND  58202
Ms. Ruth Paur, MS, MT(ASCP), CLS(NCA)
701) 777-2651 

Columbus State Community College
550 East Spring Street
Columbus, OH  43215-0965  
Ms. Peggy Mayo, MEd, MLT(ASCP)
614) 287-2608 

And there is one in Florida, but I don't remember which of the 2 NAACLS HT
Florida program has the distance learning. Sorry. Maybe someone can chime in
and let us know.

Peggy A. Wenk, HTL(ASCP)SLS
Schools of Histotechnology
William Beaumont Hospital
Royal Oak, MI 48073

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Judy Collins
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2008 3:03 PM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Salary / Temp positions

I don't think that is correct.  Our current student does not have an AA,
will finish the program in May and will be taking the ASCP.

I think they were talking about requiring an AA but that never was
instituted officially.

Judy Collins

-----Original Message-----
From: Martin, Gary [mailto:gmartin <@t> marshallmedical.org]
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2008 2:18 PM
To: Judy Collins
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Salary / Temp positions

I believe you have to have the minium of an AA Gary

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Judy Collins
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2008 10:37 AM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Salary / Temp positions

What about the nontraditional learning programs such as Indiana
University's?  Our laboratory has helped 5 prospective techs through the
past few years to become histotechnicians through their program.  The
program is 10 months long at a very reasonable cost and the candidates are
eligible to sit for the ASCP at the end of the program.  I believe there are
some other similar programs as well.

Judy Collins
Palm Beach Pathology

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Cindy DuBois
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2008 1:13 PM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Salary / Temp positions

If we think about the cost of 2-4 years of college to obtain a degree in
order to qualify for the Histology test, most of us would be in debt when
finished.  Then look at our salary and you can see how the requirements just
aren't supported by the salary.  Most of the students will come out of
college owing on student loans.  The salaries they would receive as new
histotech would allow them to pay off their student loanswhile maintaining a
decent living (at least here in CA).
With both my sons in college (using student loans) we had to take a serious
look at the final amount they will owe when the graduate and compare it to
what they would be earning.
I am not sure what the solution is.  Any ideas?

Cindy
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