I second that!!  Pam Marcum

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bartlett, Jeanine [mailto:jqb7@cdc.gov]
> Sent: Tuesday, July 09, 2002 9:56 AM
> To: 'marjorie lehman'; Histonet (E-mail)
> Subject: RE: Med Tech's as Histologists????
>
>
> Amen!
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: marjorie lehman [mailto:Marjorie.Lehman@unilever.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, July 09, 2002 9:23 AM
> To: Histonet (E-mail)
> Subject: RE: Med Tech's as Histologists????
>
>
> I don't usually get into these discussions, but the "slice and
> dice" comment
> really raised the hackles on my back! A good chef and Deli man
> can slice and
> dice.
> I have worked for many years in a lab filled with intelligent,
> well-educated
> Scientists (I am tempted to enclose those words in quotes) and have been
> introduced to people "who know histology" (took Histo 101 in school) and
> frequently have been hit with the "Anybody can do histology"
> attitude. When
> Anybody produces unusable sections, asks what those "blue spots" are in an
> H&E,
> "which is the epidermis?" and such-like  I have tried to just smile and
> explain.
> When I retire I can go get a job at the local Deli since I will have a lot
> of
> experience!!
> Marge
> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Bartlett, Jeanine [SMTP:jqb7@cdc.gov]
> Sent:	Tuesday, July 09, 2002 7:37 AM
> To:	'Bryan Hewlett'; Bartlett, Jeanine; 'Mike Kirby'; Histonet (E-mail)
> Subject:	RE: Med Tech's as Histologists????
>
> I am sure you are right.  I was just struck by his comment that "If we can
> hack our way through Microbiology, etc, histopathology is a piece of cake.
> (It's all in the wrist, my dear.)"  I felt he was stating that
> histopathology was simply a matter of physical dexterity and not
> particularly scientific.  Anyone who has taken a course in histology in
> college while working towards their degree knows that histology is
> definitely as complicated as the other courses he mentioned.
>
> Jeanine
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bryan Hewlett [mailto:bhewlett@cogeco.ca]
> Sent: Tuesday, July 09, 2002 7:33 AM
> To: Bartlett, Jeanine; 'Mike Kirby'; Histonet (E-mail)
> Subject: Re: Med Tech's as Histologists????
>
>
> Jeanine,
>
> I think that the point Mike was trying to make, was that Med
> Techs have the
> necessary laboratory science background to learn histotechnology.
> Basic training in all the medical laboratory sciences provides an
> invaluable
> tool for further learning in one specialty.
> As for becoming proficient, I agree with you that it will take more than
> three months. How long depends upon the degree of proficiency!
> As an even oooolder Med Tech than Mike(trained in the fifties)
> and about to
> retire! I can tell you that even after all this time and several million
> sections, I feel that I've just begun to get the 'hang' of it!!!
>
> Bryan
>
> Bryan R. Hewlett ART, MLT
> Technical Specialist
> Anatomical Pathology
> Hamilton Regional Laboratory Medicine Program
> Ontario, Canada
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bartlett, Jeanine" 
> To: "'Mike Kirby'" ; "Histonet (E-mail)"
> 
> Sent: Tuesday, July 09, 2002 6:26 AM
> Subject: RE: Med Tech's as Histologists????
>
>
> > Mike:
> >
> > I agree that anyone with coordination can be taught to use a microtome.
> > Some may master it faster than others but that's an individual thing.  I
> > also believe a Med Tech can be taught all of the intricacies of
> histology,
> > but not in 3 months.  That may be adequate for a rudimentary base of the
> > science but certainly not enough to be a proficient histotechnologist.
> > Understanding the chemistry of staining not to mention the theories of
> > processing and immunohistochemistry are invaluable today.  Anyone can
> follow
> > a recipe but you have to have some knowledge of the chemistry
> of baking to
> > know what to do when the baking powder doesn't work.
> >
> > Jeanine Bartlett, HT(ASCP)
> > CDC, Atlanta
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Mike Kirby [mailto:mikek@mail.saimr.wits.ac.za]
> > Sent: Tuesday, July 09, 2002 3:18 AM
> > To: Histonet (E-mail)
> > Subject: Med Tech's as Histologists????
> >
> >
> >
> > The question asked was, "Are Med Techs good enough to be trained as
> > Histologists?"
> >
> >  Of course we are!  We have all the Lab background that's required, and
> one
> > can learn to "slice & dice" in about three weeks flat.
> >  I did,  because as a student, I was given three months to learn the
> > techniques before we wrote our finals, and, except for tissue
> processing,
> we
> > did everything by hand!
> >
> >  Ok, that was back in the sixties, (Yes, I am an ooooold Med Tech) and
> > possibly one would need more time to master all the new
> >  special stains and immunohistology that you do now days, but
> the average
> > Med Tech should be more than up to scratch.
> >
> >  If we can hack our way through Microbiology, Biochemistry and
> Haematology,
> > Histopathology is a piece of cake.
> >  (It's all in the wrist, my dear!).
> >
> > Yours (from a lofty perch - and no doubt, soon to have his nose
> bloodied).
> >
> > Mike Kirby.
> > NHLS
> > Johannesburg
> > South Africa.
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>