[Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)

[joelle weaver]

Jon There is a route with associates and training I believe. 
Of course I can't speak for the BOC, and I am sure that you want to help your employees as much as you can. I do see your point about the similarities in tasks. My thought would be that the exam eligibility states that they have to have recent experience in fixation, embedding, microtomy, and staining (histology) and the associated theory knowledge. EM is on the exam study topics, but also with the theory/experience for all those routine histological techniques, is how I read it. Take a look at the exam outlines, that should give you an idea of the scope. Ascp.org "get certified".  As I have been told, they want to cover the widest possible scope of roles histologists can perform, which could include EM, but not only that. If they don't have exposure to regular histology I think that it might be hard for to feel prepared for the regular HT or HTL exams. That's just my opinion, based on what I have observed and also the pass rates ( ~ 65%), for people even with training/experience- there could be an exceptional person out there.   I can understand not wanting to get buried in doing a whole HT curricula ( believe me, I do). How about the option of having cross training in a histology lab? Do you have routine histology on site or a nearby lab?  The best advice I can give is to go to the website and carefully read the requirments to see how your employees might fit in. If you want to provide the theory without having to do the curricula, there are on line programs out there which can supplement OJT and a supportive mentor and organization. I have seen this work successfully with motivated people with the ability to have hands on practice alongside. I suggest the NSH site which lists the accredited programs  or the NAACLS site which  has a search for programs, if that would help.  As far as employability, my opinion is that it would certainly open up options for your employees to also have skills in routine histology make them more valuable to your organization, and I would think certification would be even more helpful to them as far as options. 



Joelle Weaver MAOM, HTL (ASCP) QIHC
 > Subject: Re: [Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)
> From: jkrupp <@t> deltacollege.edu
> Date: Thu, 24 May 2012 09:53:21 -0700
> CC: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> To: joelleweaver <@t> hotmail.com
> 
> 
> On May 24, 2012, at 9:25 AM, joelle weaver wrote:
> 
> > 
> > I think that the original post was referring to people with a HSD or GED. I am not sure of the exact reasons considered in discontinuation of OJT route, but I recall some publications discussing the desire to raise the perception and awareness of the profession. The people with bachelors and the science credits needed can choose either the HT or HTL as I understand it, with the one year of verified experience/training. I think there is a route with a associate's and the required science credits available with the verified training for the HT. I believe there are now two routes for each exam if I recall correctly, one being the program graduate route  plus experience , and one with education requirements met and training/experience. There is a page on the site that lays this out if anyone wants to clarify/correct my recollection. 
> 
> OK, so I have a question.
> 
> We train students to do electron microscopy, both specimen prep and instrument operation.  They fix and embed (in plastic) tissues and make thick sections (1 um or less for us) and examine them using LM. It is not much of a leap to add paraffin techniques and/or basic staining etc. We have most of the equipment that would be needed already, but I am not ready to go into a full blown HT curriculum.
> 
> So, the question is, if a student gets an Associates degree that includes the basic science, would it help the student to get the basics of HT before looking for a job? Or could they take the test, get something to show for their work and make them a good job candidate?
> 
> Our students are skilled and could do the job, but figuring out how to help them and give them the right advice is my problem now.
> 
> Jon
> 
> Jonathan Krupp
> Delta College
> 5151 Pacific Ave.
> Box 212
> Stockton, CA  95207
> 209-954-5284
> jkrupp <@t> deltacollege.edu
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