Dear Carol,
   I think the person taking the exam should also be responsible for fixing
the tissue properly too.  Being sent previously fixed tissue should not be
done either.  They should have to know how to trim tissue for proper
fixation.
-Sarah

>>> Carol McCollough <cmccollough@dnr.state.md.us> 02/03 4:34 PM >>>
This is in response to an offer to provide an unstained slide of a tissue
required for the BOR exam (HT or HTL):

It was my understanding a year and a half ago that the person taking the
exam was required to process, embed, and section the tissue his- or
herself.  I was in the same boat, needing uterus, and two very kind
Histonetters sent me the wet, formalin-fixed tissue.  I then trimmed it to
the appropriate size and did all the steps myself.  Isn't this what the
practical is for?

While the exam can be a stressful experience, those of us who have
completed the process can and should be justly proud of our
accomplishment and what it means professionally.  We should seek to
defend the integrity of the process, and those in the middle of the
process should defend it also, so as not to dilute its meaning.

My comments are not to be construed as accusatory towards anyone in
this discussion, just a reminder that kindness and helpfulness can be
taken too far in certain situations.

Regards -
Carol
*****************************
Carol B.  McCollough, HT (ASCP)
Diagnostics & Histology Laboratory Manager
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Fisheries Service
Cooperative Oxford Laboratory
904 S.  Morris Street
Oxford, MD 21654