Med Tech V's Histotech (over in Australia a Histologist is a pathologist).
We don't have specific departmental classifications for laboratory workers,
rather they are SO or TO (scientific or technical officer) that work in
Microbiology, Biochemistry, Haemo, Histo etc., we were trained in all the
departments (for about 12 months), then specialised in the one of choice.
The pay rates reflect the qualifications. We don't say we are better than
them, we are part of PATHOLOGY. If a 'Histologist (in your terms) is capable
of becoming Med Tech, then why not the other way around. It's the capability
of the individual, not the discipline in which they work.
PS Lets not get into 'dump on JohnH' mode again.
Michael Konopka
Laboratory Manager
Skin & Cancer Foundation Australia
-----Original Message-----
From: Barry Rittman 
To: histology 
Date: Wednesday, 10 July 2002 2:16
Subject: Re: Med Tech's as Histologists????


I think that the broader the experiences that you have in the health
professions
the better.
I personally prefer the original european system where individuals train as
MLTs
with a portion of this training in histopathological technic. If they prefer
they can later specialize in histopathology. This seems to be a sensitive
issue
in the States where more MLTs are being asked to act as supervisors of
histopathology laboratories. I believe that in order to effectively
supervise a
histopathology laboratory you have to have trained as a histotech and be
able to
do the job of any of the people that you are supervising.
The problem that we see is often a result of differential training of
histotechs. While I agree that on the job training is valuable, it often
results
in tunnel vision with large gaps in basic knowledge.
It is also true that most people can be taught how to use a microtome.
Question
is do you want someone who cuts, mounts and stains sections in a robotic
manner.
In my experience it takes about 6 months before an individual can cut good
sections and around a year for hard tissues. Most residents are amazed at
how
easy sections are to cut when we set up a microtome and an easy block of
tissue
for them, however its a different matter when they have to start from
scratch
and any problems arise. Can be a very humbling experience.
One last point is that with the current shortage of histotechs and no bright
light on the horizon for a big  increase in numbers available, it is time
for
employers to make the jobs much more attractive - better salaries, financial
support for attending meetings to improve knowledge and a scheduled training
program.
Barry