[Histonet] reply to cutting speed

Tue Jan 3 12:26:34 CST 2012

No one should be alone after only a few weeks on the job. What kind of supervised training is that? Sorry, but I would never expect a new recruit to go it alone after such a short time, not in any job.

Annette Featherstone

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Today's Topics:

   1. Re: Cutting speed (Mayer,Toysha N)
   2. Re: Cutting speed (Grantham, Andrea L - (algranth))
   3. histology opening (Histology Dept)
   4. RE: Cutting speed (Bea DeBrosse-Serra)
   5. Nerve Fiber Density Testing (Adrienne Kavanagh)
   6. RE: Cutting speed (joelle weaver)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Tue, 3 Jan 2012 08:43:57 -0600
From: "Mayer,Toysha N" <TNMayer <@t> mdanderson.org>
Subject: [Histonet] Re: Cutting speed
To: "'histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu'"
        <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
Message-ID:
        <DFD2C49464F83A4F9201E2D07100774E1BCBB2E90B <@t> DCPWVMBXC0VS3.mdanderson.edu>

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Teresa,
I agree with Kim.  Actually, the speed you desire will come with time, practice and workflow adjustment. You are not far off from where you should be, about 30 blocks/hr. 40 would be great, but you just graduated and got a job.  It usually takes me about 2 wks to get adjusted to a new microtome and its quirks. By the end of next week, you should be closer to your goal. If you are really concerned go to the pathologist and the supervisor and have a chat.  Go over expectations for all sides and things will get better.
Calm down, and ask for help when needed. Take one thing at a time, cutting, workflow, etc. Do your best work, and everything will come as you need it.

Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
(713) 563-3481
tnmayer <@t> mdanderson.org

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Sat, 31 Dec 2011 09:18:21 -0800 (PST)
From: Kim Donadio <one_angel_secret <@t> yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Cutting speed
To: Teresa Moore <tmoore9k <@t> gmail.com>,
        "histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu"
        <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
Message-ID:
        <1325351901.53131.YahooMailNeo <@t> web112319.mail.gq1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

My only advice to you Teresa is to take a deep breath, calm down and do the best you can. Dont take your eye off the specimen you are dealing with. It's someones life. You might hear people screaming about time, they need this, they need that. but You as a healthcare professional have the ONE most importnat task you really need to focus on, and thats making the best slide you can from each specimen you deal with. Focus on that, keep your chin up and know that you are doing the patients a service by being there doing good work while dealing with hard times.
?
Best of wishes
?
Kim D

________________________________
From: Teresa Moore <tmoore9k <@t> gmail.com>
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Sent: Saturday, December 31, 2011 8:44 AM
Subject: [Histonet] Cutting speed

I graduated from a histology program in June/11 and just got a job a week ago.? My speed on the microtome is not great.? Everyone says it takes time but I feel my technique may be wrong.? To make matters worse the only other histotech in the lab is going on vacation the third week of January and I will be alone!!!!! I don't have the overall flow of the lab down yet and have no idea how they expect me to handle the cutting all by myself.? My biggest concern is my cutting speed right now.? How long does it take
(approx) to do 40 blocks an hour.? Currently, I'm about half that!? I'm panicking and I've only been on the job 8 days.? Help!!!!!!!!!!!

--
Teresa Moore
_______________________________________________
Histonet mailing list
Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Tue, 3 Jan 2012 07:39:47 -0800
From: "Grantham, Andrea L - (algranth)" <algranth <@t> email.arizona.edu>
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Cutting speed
Cc: HISTONET <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
Message-ID: <1F155041-31B6-4C1A-94E4-60319380991D <@t> email.arizona.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Teresa,
Don't trade quality for speed. I once worked for a pathologist who actually told me that he preferred that we took our time cutting so that the sections were as good as we could make them. He said that it took a lot of the stress of making a diagnosis off of him when he got good slides, especially when the diagnosis was a difficult one. He said to treat the tissue like it came from your Mother or your child.
I have worked with people who bragged often and loudly about being fast cutters and their slides looked like it.
I agree with the person who advised that you sit down and have a talk with the lab manager to voice your concerns. Everyone should be aware that you are going to do the very best you can while your co-worker is away, even if it takes you a bit longer.
Good luck with this!

Andi

On Dec 31, 2011, at 10:18 AM, Kim Donadio wrote:

> My only advice to you Teresa is to take a deep breath, calm down and do the best you can. Dont take your eye off the specimen you are dealing with. It's someones life. You might hear people screaming about time, they need this, they need that. but You as a healthcare professional have the ONE most importnat task you really need to focus on, and thats making the best slide you can from each specimen you deal with. Focus on that, keep your chin up and know that you are doing the patients a service by being there doing good work while dealing with hard times.
>
> Best of wishes
>
> Kim D
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Teresa Moore <tmoore9k <@t> gmail.com>
> To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Sent: Saturday, December 31, 2011 8:44 AM
> Subject: [Histonet] Cutting speed
>
> I graduated from a histology program in June/11 and just got a job a
> week ago.  My speed on the microtome is not great.  Everyone says it
> takes time but I feel my technique may be wrong.  To make matters
> worse the only other histotech in the lab is going on vacation the
> third week of January and I will be alone!!!!! I don't have the
> overall flow of the lab down yet and have no idea how they expect me
> to handle the cutting all by myself.  My biggest concern is my cutting
> speed right now.  How long does it take
> (approx) to do 40 blocks an hour.  Currently, I'm about half that!
> I'm panicking and I've only been on the job 8 days.  Help!!!!!!!!!!!
>
> --
> Teresa Moore
> _______________________________________________
> 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
>

------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Tue, 03 Jan 2012 09:51:11 -0600
From: Histology Dept <histology <@t> gradymem.org>
Subject: [Histonet] histology opening
To: "'histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu'"
        <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
Message-ID: <fc10d00323661.4f02cf8f <@t> gradymem.org>
Content-Type: text/plain; CHARSET=US-ASCII

We have a full time histotech position open at Grady Memorial Hospital in Chickasha, OK.
Must be HT certified or willing to become certified.
Hours:  6:00 am to 2:30 pm
No weekends.
No holidays.
Small hospital CAP pathology lab.  One pathologists, only 2 histotechs.
Go to  http://www.gradymem.org/employment.html for information about application.  You can apply on line.

--
Angie Barnett, HTL(ASCP)
Grady Memorial Hospital
Pathology Department
405/779-2258
histology <@t> gradymem.org

------------------------------

Message: 4
Date: Tue, 3 Jan 2012 07:57:47 -0800
From: Bea DeBrosse-Serra <BDeBrosse-Serra <@t> isisph.com>
Subject: [Histonet] RE: Cutting speed
To: "'Mayer,Toysha N'" <TNMayer <@t> mdanderson.org>,
        "'histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu'"
        <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
Message-ID:
        <493CAA64F203E14E8823737B9EE0E25F091FCE5994 <@t> EXCHMB01.isis.local>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Teresa,

I totally agree with all the advice Toysha and Kim gave you.

The cutting speed will come with time and experience. Even though in a clinical environment everybody seems to push speed, the quality of the slide should not suffer. My thoughts are, to take your time to produce good quality slides, do the best you can and the speed will follow. Overall it sounds like you are doing a pretty good job already for a new graduate.

Bea

Beatrice DeBrosse-Serra HT(ASCP)QIHC
Isis Pharmaceuticals
Antisense Drug Discovery
2588 Gazelle Ct.
Carlsbad, CA 92010
760-603-2371

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Mayer,Toysha N
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2012 6:44 AM
To: 'histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu'
Subject: [Histonet] Re: Cutting speed

Teresa,
I agree with Kim.  Actually, the speed you desire will come with time, practice and workflow adjustment. You are not far off from where you should be, about 30 blocks/hr. 40 would be great, but you just graduated and got a job.  It usually takes me about 2 wks to get adjusted to a new microtome and its quirks. By the end of next week, you should be closer to your goal. If you are really concerned go to the pathologist and the supervisor and have a chat.  Go over expectations for all sides and things will get better.
Calm down, and ask for help when needed. Take one thing at a time, cutting, workflow, etc. Do your best work, and everything will come as you need it.

Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
(713) 563-3481
tnmayer <@t> mdanderson.org

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Sat, 31 Dec 2011 09:18:21 -0800 (PST)
From: Kim Donadio <one_angel_secret <@t> yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Cutting speed
To: Teresa Moore <tmoore9k <@t> gmail.com>,
        "histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu"
        <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
Message-ID:
        <1325351901.53131.YahooMailNeo <@t> web112319.mail.gq1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

My only advice to you Teresa is to take a deep breath, calm down and do the best you can. Dont take your eye off the specimen you are dealing with. It's someones life. You might hear people screaming about time, they need this, they need that. but You as a healthcare professional have the ONE most importnat task you really need to focus on, and thats making the best slide you can from each specimen you deal with. Focus on that, keep your chin up and know that you are doing the patients a service by being there doing good work while dealing with hard times.
?
Best of wishes
?
Kim D

________________________________
From: Teresa Moore <tmoore9k <@t> gmail.com>
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Sent: Saturday, December 31, 2011 8:44 AM
Subject: [Histonet] Cutting speed

I graduated from a histology program in June/11 and just got a job a week ago.? My speed on the microtome is not great.? Everyone says it takes time but I feel my technique may be wrong.? To make matters worse the only other histotech in the lab is going on vacation the third week of January and I will be alone!!!!! I don't have the overall flow of the lab down yet and have no idea how they expect me to handle the cutting all by myself.? My biggest concern is my cutting speed right now.? How long does it take
(approx) to do 40 blocks an hour.? Currently, I'm about half that!? I'm panicking and I've only been on the job 8 days.? Help!!!!!!!!!!!

--
Teresa Moore
_______________________________________________
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

------------------------------

Message: 5
Date: Tue, 3 Jan 2012 11:35:51 -0500
From: Adrienne Kavanagh <adrienneapergs <@t> hotmail.com>
Subject: [Histonet] Nerve Fiber Density Testing
To: <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
Message-ID: <BAY167-W6FD3C32B174A280C4B68EC3960 <@t> phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hi All,

I am setting up for a nerve fiber density test.  The specifics of the procedure I have been provided with are vague.

It basically involves taking a punch biopsy of skin, fixing in PLP, cryoprotecting, embedding in a sucrose solution to a frozen stage, cover with dry ice, and section using a sliding microtome at 50 microns.  Then staining the free-floating sections with a PGP 9.5 antibody.

If anyone is performing this testing, I would appreciate your response (you may contact me privately if you wish).

Thanks!

Adrienne

------------------------------

Message: 6
Date: Tue, 3 Jan 2012 16:47:39 +0000
From: joelle weaver <joelleweaver <@t> hotmail.com>
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Cutting speed
To: <algranth <@t> email.arizona.edu>
Cc: Histonet <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
Message-ID: <SNT135-W34D859C6F10C340901B2ACD8960 <@t> phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Good advice.

Joelle Weaver MAOM, (HTL) ASCP

http://www.linkedin.com/in/joelleweaver

 From: algranth <@t> email.arizona.edu
CC: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Date: Tue, 3 Jan 2012 07:39:47 -0800
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Cutting speed

Teresa,
Don't trade quality for speed. I once worked for a pathologist who actually told me that he preferred that we took our time cutting so that the sections were as good as we could make them. He said that it took a lot of the stress of making a diagnosis off of him when he got good slides, especially when the diagnosis was a difficult one. He said to treat the tissue like it came from your Mother or your child.
I have worked with people who bragged often and loudly about being fast cutters and their slides looked like it.
I agree with the person who advised that you sit down and have a talk with the lab manager to voice your concerns. Everyone should be aware that you are going to do the very best you can while your co-worker is away, even if it takes you a bit longer.
Good luck with this!

Andi

On Dec 31, 2011, at 10:18 AM, Kim Donadio wrote:

> My only advice to you Teresa is to take a deep breath, calm down and do the best you can. Dont take your eye off the specimen you are dealing with. It's someones life. You might hear people screaming about time, they need this, they need that. but You as a healthcare professional have the ONE most importnat task you really need to focus on, and thats making the best slide you can from each specimen you deal with. Focus on that, keep your chin up and know that you are doing the patients a service by being there doing good work while dealing with hard times.
>
> Best of wishes
>
> Kim D
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Teresa Moore <tmoore9k <@t> gmail.com>
> To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Sent: Saturday, December 31, 2011 8:44 AM
> Subject: [Histonet] Cutting speed
>
> I graduated from a histology program in June/11 and just got a job a week
> ago.  My speed on the microtome is not great.  Everyone says it takes time
> but I feel my technique may be wrong.  To make matters worse the only other
> histotech in the lab is going on vacation the third week of January and I
> will be alone!!!!! I don't have the overall flow of the lab down yet and
> have no idea how they expect me to handle the cutting all by myself.  My
> biggest concern is my cutting speed right now.  How long does it take
> (approx) to do 40 blocks an hour.  Currently, I'm about half that!  I'm
> panicking and I've only been on the job 8 days.  Help!!!!!!!!!!!
>
> --
> Teresa Moore
> _______________________________________________
> 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
>

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------------------------------

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End of Histonet Digest, Vol 98, Issue 2
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