[Histonet] Practical Exam

Fri Feb 20 10:21:30 CST 2009

There has been reference to someone else taking the practical exam instead of the applicant.  Since the written exam has become a computer generated program what is to stop someone from taking the exam for an applicant.  The reasons given for dropping the exam are very shallow.  The idea that Victor and Barry have been tauting are the best ones. The time has come that the NSH step in and regulate us.  If the ASCP still wants to certify us then they can send a representative to the different district to oversee and participate in the scoring of the practical exam, etc.  It would be a lot cheaper that way.

Frances L. Swain HT(ASCP) A. A. S.
Special Procedures Technician
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Center for Orthopaedic Research
Barton Research Building 2R28
4301 West Markham Street
Little Rock AR 72205
(501) 686-8739 PHONE
(501) 686-8987 FAX
swainfrancesl <@t> uams.edu email

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of O'Donnell, Bill
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 10:01 AM
To: Histonet
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Practical Exam

If, indeed, these were the two primary reasons for eliminating the practical exam, they are weak and lazy reasons. An increase in the fee to apply would cover costs, and, well, was it really that much of a problem of people doing other peoples practicals. 

I can't imagine it to be out of proportion to what might (I emphasize "might" and add "but likely did not") have occurred sporadically in all the years prior.

I won't pass judgement on a single source, but would love to hear from someone who was a part of the decision process that eliminated this practicum.

However, if it is true, my estimation of the ASCP has grossly deteriorated.

William (Bill) O'Donnell, HT (ASCP) QIHC 
Lead Histologist
Good Samaritan Hospital
10 East 31st Street
Kearney, NE 68847 

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Rene J Buesa
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 8:01 AM
To: Victor Tobias; Histonet; Rittman, Barry R
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Practical Exam

There were 2 fundamental reasons why ASCP eliminated the practical part of the examination:
1- they got to the conclusion that there was no way to determine if the person sending the slides was the one who really made them, and
2- it was getting too costly to send the slides to review or to gather the reviewers to qualify the sections, so they decided to eliminate the practical and made the changes we have now (renewal and CEU).
René J.

--- On Thu, 2/19/09, Rittman, Barry R <Barry.R.Rittman <@t> uth.tmc.edu> wrote:

From: Rittman, Barry R <Barry.R.Rittman <@t> uth.tmc.edu>
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Practical Exam
To: "Victor Tobias" <victor <@t> pathology.washington.edu>, "Histonet" <Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
Date: Thursday, February 19, 2009, 6:30 PM

Victor
I cannot believe that you have said this.
Although I did not think that the practical examination was the ultimate test of skill ,  it did at least provide some uniformity.
With an extension of the logic that you use it is just as easy to allow the pathologist to certify that the technician is qualified even without a written examination. 
Without a somewhat standardized practical there is no guarantee that the technician will have any practical knowledge outside their individual laboratory.
Didactic without adequate practical knowledge is, as far as I am concerned, useless.
What is really needed is a national standardized written and practical test that is administered by NSH.
I am not holding my breath that this will happen.
Barry 

________________________________________
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Victor Tobias [victor <@t> pathology.washington.edu]
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2009 5:03 PM
To: Histonet
Subject: [Histonet] Practical Exam

There has been discussion regarding the removal of the practical exam.
To me it has not been removed, but the responsibility has shifted to whomever signs off on the student. In the case of OJT, the pathologist has verified that this student can cut and stain. Of course what is acceptable to one pathologist may not be to another. Do they get tested in the art of troubleshooting...... As far as the schools go, they shouldn't be graduating anyone that can't cut, stain and troubleshoot.
So I don't really see a problem with the absence of the practical. It is Friday somewhere.

Victor

--
Victor Tobias
Clinical Applications Analyst
University of Washington Medical Center
Dept of Pathology Room BB220
1959 NE Pacific
Seattle, WA 98195
victor <@t> pathology.washington.edu
206-598-2792
206-598-7659 Fax
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