Mohammed wrote: 
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And 

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Mohammed, 
First question.

The ASCP has said it that as of 2005 it will discontinue the HIGH
SCHOOL-Education/On-the-job training route to certification. 

Instead it will institute a COLLEGE-Education/On-the-job training route to
certification. On-the-job training will still be the route the vast majority
of people use to qualify for the HT and HTL exam. 

The new route will require the equivilent of two years of college course
work (note that it does not require any sort of college degree). Besides the
overall course-hour requirements, there are minimum biology and
chemistry-related coursehour requirements (amounting to about four classes
in   biology and chemistry). NONE of the coursework has to
histology-specific. These requirements are VERY minimal. See the exact
requirements at the end of this email.

Personally, if I have someone working in my lab I want them to know basic
chemistry and biology. Otherwise it is impossible to even explain the
simplist things to them - like why certain chemicals should not be stored
together, or why fresh blood can be dangerous, and why (and how)certain
chemicals can eliminate that danger.



As to the second part of your question, The real question is, why would a
certified tech work for the same salary as a non-certified tech? The
certified person has proven their knowledge, their commitment to the field
and their readiness to take on more responsiblity (in theory anyway!).

 You can go on all you want about how some tech you know is "great but can't
pass the test" (so obviously the test is bad), but in general, those who
pass the test are going to be better techs because of the things they had to
do to pass that test.  As an example, just today I had a pathologist ask me
what "formol-sublimate" is. I've never used that fixative but luckily I
studied my rear off for my certification so I was able to answer him
instantly (amazing what you can dredge up after 15 years!).

Within a given institution it may well be that a person can get by for many
years with little commitment to learning and proving that knowledge. If that
person decides they want to find another postition somewhere else they will
most likely be in for a shock. The other place wants them to prove their
knowledge! How do they do that? Certification is a way to do that. 




HERE ARE THE EXACT REQUIREMENTS FOR THE NEW CERTIFICATION ROUTE

High School Eligibility for the HT Exam Discontinued in 2005.
Starting in January 2005 the HIGH SCHOOL/on-the-job training (OJT) route for
the ASCP Board of Registry HT certification will be discontinued. What does
this mean? Effective January 2005 candidates applying for the exam will need
to meet ONE of the following eligibility requirements:

Successful completion of a NAACLS accredited Histologic Technician program.

OR

Associate degree OR at least 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of
academic credit from a regionally accredited college/university with a
combination of 12 semester hours (18 quarter hours) of biology and
chemistry, AND one year full time acceptable experience in histopathology
within the last ten years under the supervision of a pathologist or an
appropriately certified medical scientist. 

FAQ's
Will I lose my HT certification if I don't meet the new requirements?
You will not lose your certification. The certification is for life.

What if I'm not certified and don't meet the requirements? 
Take the HT exam between now and the end of December 2004.You need to
complete the initial attempt of both portions of the exam (computer and
practical) by December 2004. 
What if I start training someone in 2004 with only a high school diploma?
The individual must meet the new eligibility requirements when applying for
the examination. 
Questions regarding the change in eligibility requirements for the HT
examination should be addressed to Sumiko Sumida, NSH Representative to the
Board of Registry. Email: ssumida@whidbey.com


-----Original Message-----
From: Mohammed, Sayeed [mailto:Sayeed@www.urol.bcm.tmc.edu]
Sent: Friday, August 31, 2001 10:48 AM
To: 'histonet@pathology.swmed.edu'
Subject: OJT


If I remember it correctly, Ascp BOR has announced that year 2005 is the
last for OJT for histo techs. And why would any body wants to perform the
same duties as a histotech and make less money just becuase they are not
certified.

M. Sayeed
ChiefTechnician
Dept. of  Spore Pathology
Baylor college of Medicine
Houston TX. 77030