Histonetters,
Please diregard my previous statements about the ojt. Tim answered those
questions for me in this e-mail. Thank you Tim, you are always so full of
knowledge.
Marsha

On Fri, 31 Aug 2001 13:23:46 -0400 "Morken, Tim"  writes:
> Mohammed wrote: 
> <> is the
> last for OJT for histo techs.>>
> 
> And 
> 
> < same duties as a histotech and make less money just becuase they are 
> not
> certified.>>
> 
> 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
> 
> 
>