maybe i've interpreted this incorrectly.....but i understand the age-specific competencies to refer to the lab tech's ability to deal with patients of various ages.  when i worked in a hospital, we had to review guidelines for how to handle infant/toddler, young children, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients.  this was done annually along with the other safety stuff.  in many labs, the age-related competencies don't really apply to histology since we don't have patient contact, unless you have the lucky duties of assisting with things like FNA's, renal or bm bx collections.
carrie kyle-byrne
cahfs-ucdavis