Dear Histonetters -

Hi. I asked this question about a week ago, and only got one response.
(Probably my fault, with all the "disclaimers" at the front.)

I REALLY NEED some input from this community.

The accrediting agency for MT, MLT, HTL and HT programs is
rewriting the Essentials for the programs. The following are
listed as the job duties of a routine MT. If these are
accepted, then the HTL will have similar responsibilities.

Personally, I think these are much too high a level for the
routine MT or HTL, let alone entry level. To me, most seem 
to be supervisory and/or managerial, needing additional 
years of experience and/or additional coursework (classes, 
workshops, etc.).

PLEASE let me know how YOU feel about them, as I will take this
information to the accrediting agency. There is power in numbers,
not one person's opinion.

Please email me directly     Lpwenk@netquest.com
and I'll report back to Histonet.

Thanks.


"c. Apply statistical analysis of data for use in laboratory
epidemiology, examining the relationships of tests to treatment 
decisions, and to health care outcomes." 
- Anyone out there on a routine level MT/HTL influencing treatment 
decisions and outcomes?

"g. Implement laws, regulations and accrediting standards within the
operating requirements of the organization to minimize risks and 
maximize patient outcomes." 
- Do any of your bench MT/HTL implement any of these?

"j. Utilize financial information for decision making to balance cost
with quality." 
- Bench tech level?

"k. Apply reimbursement policies to avoid fraud and abuse, and operate
on a fiscally sound basis while optimizing patient outcomes."
- Considering the discussions on Histonet on billing lately, is this 
something the average bench tech is competent in?

"l. Develop strategies for a successful operation by using effective
marketing and sales techniques." 
- Bench tech stuff?

"m. Plan daily operations." 
- Bench tech stuff?

"n. Develop public relations programs for client services." 
- Bench tech again?

"o. Recruit and maintain appropriate level and skill mix of personnel to
insure a productive work environment meeting best practice benchmarks." 
- With this job market, I think most supervisors would have a hard time 
with this one.

"p. Implement programs for safety, hazardous materials, infectious
disease prevention and fire safety management." 
- How many average bench tech implement these?

"q. Define and use competencies for performance appraisal assessment."
- How many bench techs are defining their own competencies, as well as 
use them?

"r. Plan, evaluate, implement and deliver effective educational programs
for healthcare personnel and healthcare receivers." 
- This one, maybe, some MT and HTL bench techs could do. But most?

"s. Consult with physicians, other health care professionals and the
public on appropriate choice and sequencing of laboratory tests." 
- How many bench techs consult with physicians?

"t. Teach healthcare providers how to request tests cost effectively and
appropriately for patient care." 
- Bench techs?

"w. Evaluate and select information system applications." 
- Routine bench tech?

"aa. Establish, maintain and deliver continuing education as a function
of growth and maintenance of professional competence." 
- Maybe a routine MT/HTL could do this. What do you think?

"bb. Foster interdisciplinary approaches and team building skills to
influence communication, collaboration and cooperation for optimum
full value patient outcomes." 
- Routine bench tech? This takes our hospital's management development 
team to do this.

This section ends with:

"Program goals and objectives should be developed considering the
rapidly changing and dynamic nature of the health and human services 
delivery systems. This requires the entry level MT to possess basic 
skills as a health care professional; consultant; educator; manager 
of time; personnel and resources; researcher; and advocate for both
the profession and the patient."

- Do you feel a ENTRY LEVEL MT or HTL should have the basic skills to be
a consultant, manager of time, personnel and resources? Or some of the
others?

Thanks for reading all of this. Please let me know what you think.

I'll report back to Histonet when I get some more responses. Thanks

******************************

Peggy A. Wenk, HTL(ASCP)
William Beaumont Hospital
Royal Oak, MI 48073