[Histonet] RE: Uncertified histotechs

[Sanders, Jeanine (CDC/OID/NCEZID)]

I know a gentleman who is HT(ASCP) certified. The facility where he used to work gave him a certificate of appreciation and on it he was referred to as a Histotechnologist. I asked when he got his HTL and he stated where he worked they call you that after a period. That really ticked me off.

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Mayer,Toysha N
Sent: Friday, August 23, 2013 2:45 PM
To: 'histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu'
Subject: [Histonet] RE: Uncertified histotechs

It can be difficult to find employment without certification, however I have seen techs with certification who cannot perform.  It does depend on the facility and the environment.  Some say it is for liability purposes (in case there is a case that was mishandled) and some say for the regulations for health care law.  Either way it can be an asset, and I'm not just saying that because it's what I do.  
I did OJT, and then took the test because my supervisor said I had to.  The benefit was it has not been very difficult meeting the basic qualifications for jobs.  The only drawback is there is no standard amongst employers on position names (histotechnician for less than 5 yrs experience and histotechnologist for more than 5 yrs).  Certification and education can open doors for more complex testing in the future, especially if we (histotechs) want to remain in charge of our destiny's.  
So yes, the positions for non-certified histotechs are diminishing, depending on the location of the facility and the availability of techs in the area.  It also depends on whether or not there is a program in the area, if there is, the competition may be higher.  They can pay a new graduate less, even if they are certified, than a very experienced non-certified tech.  

I do agree that requesting a cutting test is a decent measure of baseline ability.  I did run into quite a few techs that were certified and cut the plastic on the cassette.  

Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT(ASCP)
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
713-563.3481

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

Message: 5
Date: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 16:43:10 -0700
From: Jon Hannasch <jon2038433 <@t> maricopa.edu>
Subject: [Histonet] Uncertified Histotechs
To: "histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu"
	<histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
Message-ID: <04D5279B-C201-4F0A-97C3-6D322A9FD1F2 <@t> maricopa.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset=us-ascii

Is getting a job as an uncertified histotech a thing of the past? I have a friend who has been a very skilled histotech for many years and they have been looking for a job for about a year now. Is this due to bad interviewing or a lack of certification? I'm curious to see if this has happened to other people. They have applied at hospitals and bigger labs such as Caris. Im not asking for a job lead for them I'm just more curious if certification has become a prerequisite now.




 		 	   		  



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