[Histonet] Practical Exam

[Rene J Buesa]

Barry:
Don't tell me, those were the 2 arguments posed by the ASCP to stop administering the practical test. 
On the other hand I know that the NSH is not structurally able to take care of that function.
The other thing that you mention, UNIONIZING I strongly think would be a better avenue, although it will be an extremely difficult proposition.
René J.

--- On Fri, 2/20/09, 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: "Histonet" <Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
Date: Friday, February 20, 2009, 10:36 AM

Rene
I have always regarded the mechanism of sending slides in to be a big flaw in
the practical, it it did offer some standardization. cannot accept the cost
logic.
The real question here is why is the ASCP running this exam at all?
I have great respect for the ASCP but is this organizations main goal to
represent histotechs? The ASCP was not originally organized to look after our
interests. I thought that the NSH and the individual state societies were
instituted to do just that. In which case why is there not a standardized test
that is administered by the NSH?
This can be done on a state level with individuals who are nationally certified
.
Will this be more costly that the current system. Of course - but if histotechs
wish for better recognition and pay I believe that this is the only path.
An alternate for appropriate salary and better conditions is unionizing. I know
this has some disadvantages but lets face it with the national shortage of
histotechs why haven't slaries and conditons improved dramatically, why are
untrained people in some cases allowed to work in some positions?
I know that many who are .....of by this continuing saga but I can only
apologize because I feel strongly about this (and because I have more time
following my semi retirement!!).
Barry


________________________________
From: Rene J Buesa [rjbuesa <@t> yahoo.com]
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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