[Histonet] What percent of HTL's do not have a BS degree?

Sebree Linda A LSebree <@t> uwhealth.org
Tue Jul 14 15:54:11 CDT 2009


MB,

I think your prediction, sadly, is true and that it is already
happening.

Linda A. Sebree
University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics
IHC/ISH Laboratory
DB1-223 VAH
600 Highland Ave.
Madison, WI 53792
(608)265-6596



-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Michael
Bradley
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 3:50 PM
To: Weems, Joyce
Cc: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: Re: [Histonet] What percent of HTL's do not have a BS degree?


HI all

I am a rarity.  I am an HTL with a Bachelors Degree.  I got my HTL in
the early 90s and I guess I was misguided because I thought it would
open more doors for me than just an HT.  I was sadly mistaken.  After I
passed my test I waited 9 months for a raise and promotion (which was
just a greater title) and when I got my raise so did 2 other employees
that didn't even have or try for their certification.  I spent many
nights and weekends studying and doing my stains for the test.  I am
proud of my accomplishments.  It is a shame that our industry does not
reconize the difference between HT and HTL.  A few years back I was
working as a traveling histotech and when I tried to get a permanent
position no one wanted to hire me because I was over qualified by having
over 15 years experience and a HTL certification. I worked hard to no
avail.  The histology world doesn't look for well qualified workers they
look for cheap labor.  I have heard more than one pathologist state that
"a monkey can do our job."  I have also worked in a lab where they would
hire someone with a GED to cut slides.  A career in histology is for the
most part a dead end and there is no future.  As long as our industry
doesn't respect education and experience there will be less and less
histotechs and the quality of the slides will suffer which in turn will
bring down patient care. Just my 2 cents.

MB proud HTL
On Tue, Jul 14, 2009 at 3:37 PM, Weems, Joyce <JWeems <@t> sjha.org> wrote:

>
> Honey... You are a mere child! There are some of us that have been in 
> the business for 40+ years. I missed the grandfather approach by 7 mo 
> - time that I didn't work moving from place to place with my military 
> ex-husband.
>
> But I did finally get the degree and do the exam. But we're still 
> around. And I'll probably be working till I'm 100!!! J:>)
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>  [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of 
> Thomas Jasper
> Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 15:16
> To: Feher, Stephen
> Cc: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: RE: [Histonet] What percent of HTL's do not have a BS degree?
>
> Hi Steve,
>
> I've got no statistics to offer you...just an observation.  I would 
> say that finding an HTL, without a Bachelor's degree is akin to the 
> proverbial needle in a haystack.  Anyone that obtained their HTL, 
> if/when they could be grandfathered in, is likely to be retired or 
> close to it.  First of all, most folks that went the OJT route for 
> certification were eligible to sit for the HT only (to my knowledge). 
> I've never met anyone with an HTL that did not have a Bachelor's as a 
> pre-requisite.  I've been doing histology for ~25 years.  I've met 
> people from all over the country and various parts of the world.  
> Truth is there isn't an abundance of HTLs out there.  Unlike the 
> Medical Lab world, with the basic differences between MTs and MLTs, 
> anatomic path does not exactly mirror that with the HTL and HT.  It's 
> true the MT and HTL both require a Bachelor's, but responsibilities in

> most labs, etc., generally do not hinge on someone being an HT vs. an 
> HTL.
>
> A person like myself is probably more common (Bachelor's and an HT). 
> Unless you know of someone in particular; that you want to hire, with 
> an HTL without a Bachelor's, I wouldn't waste time trying to justify 
> it.  I guess the bottom line is if you want an HTL, that person will 
> almost assuredly have a Bachelor's.  If you want to hire someone 
> without a Bachelor's that is certified (HT) you'll have better luck.  
> I think having an HTL is a great thing.  I honestly have never pursued

> it (though eligible) as the circumstances of my career would not have 
> rewarded me for doing so.  As a matter of fact some employers may look

> at it as an over-qualification, or at least no justification for 
> better pay, perks or responsibility.  Again, no slam to HTLs just the 
> way things are, at least in my experience.
>
> If you want to hire people without a Bachelor's I would definitely 
> pursue HTs.  HTs have been doing a great deal of very good work for 
> years in this field.  And it sounds like you're viewing the Bachelor's

> thing as limiting factor more than the HTL itself.
>
> Good luck,
> Tom Jasper
>
> Thomas Jasper HT (ASCP) BAS
> Histology Supervisor
> Central Oregon Regional Pathology Services Bend, Oregon 97701 
> 541/693-2677 tjasper <@t> copc.net
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Feher,

> Stephen
> Sent: Monday, July 13, 2009 9:12 AM
> To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: [Histonet] What percent of HTL's do not have a BS degree?
>
> I'm trying to find some solid statistics to justify being able to hire

> HTL (ASCP) candidates who do not have a Bachelor's degree.  I am 
> contending that requiring the candidate to have a Bachelor's degree 
> will eliminate a substantial number of very qualified people.  Does 
> anyone have any solid references to support my position.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Steve
>
>
> Stephen A. Feher, MS, SCT (ASCP)
>
> Pathology Supervisor
>
> Catholic Medical Center
>
> 100 McGregor Street
>
> Manchester, NH 03102
>
> 603-663-6707
>
> sfeher <@t> cmc-nh.org <mailto:sfeher <@t> cmc-nh.org>
>
>
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