Pearl, 
    I do agree with most of your statement. Was just wondering what final
diagnosis are you making? Histotechs can do FISH but NO ONE but a doc should
interpret FISH on solid tumors - histo techs, med techs and cytogenetics
techs do not have the training to determine what is tumor and what is not
tumor. This is a regulation.  For anatomic pathology, the CLIA & CAP etc
consider the docs ³testing personnel² - they are the ones making the final
diagnosis. We are here to perform technological services to ensure high
quality patient care, and to support the pathologist. As I have moved along
in my career, I have come to view my role a bit more as a ³support² for the
docs. Without our high quality lab work, the docs can not make as good a
diagnosis. I try to work with the docs to come up with the services to meet
their needs.  And if you¹re really lucky, as I have been, you work for
people who value your skills and knowledge.
Just my thoughts on this rather interesting topic.

Patti Loykasek
PhenoPath Laboratories
Seattle, WA


\ From what I read, those newly registered will be required to have CEUs in
> order to renew their registry with the ASCP.   I have not ready  anything that
> is going to require those that have been registered to acquire  CEUs.  I have
> thought that eventually we will all be required to have the  CEUs  in order to
> renew membership.  Why did the ASCP not do  that?
> 
>   I think it is a good idea.   But what  will happen if one does not renew
> their registry?  What kind of regulations  are going to require that the
> histologists renew their membership?    How are they going to enforce this?
> And if 
> it turns out that this will be  required of all of us ...  what is to keep
> labs from hiring  unregistered (unrenewed membership).  Is this really going
> to 
> amount to  anymore then a pile of beans?  It would be nice if it did.
>   As it is, there are some pathologists that feel a  monkey can crank that
> microtome.   No respect for our  professions.  This is really a true
> statement.  Here in the state of  Louisiana when Licensure came up for medical
> professionals, we were not  included.   Intentionally not included.  Not just
> an  
> oversight.  Manicurist and hair dressers here are licensed, but not the
> histotechnologist!
> And some of this disrespect has been earned! It has taken so long for  us to
> accept the fact that we need college.  How many of us out there can  say that
> we have kept up with new technology in our field?  If you are a  member of
> this histonet server and an NSH member you most likely have taken  those giant
> steps forward.  Think of all the folks you know in histology  that think they
> know it all and yet you would not want them in your lab!   Maybe if we do this
> and bit that bullet,  get our  education (four years of college) and CEUs CLIA
> might recognize us!   CLIA might just realize that we are a professional group
> that can do  "complicated" tests, such as flow, fish and probes.  If they
> knew how  complicated immunohistochemistry is, they just might take that away
> from us  too!  If they knew that we are the professionals that make that final
> diagnosis they might not let us work in the lab!   They can do all the  blood
> work and do all kinds of tests....   but they still need  us!
>   My apologies,if I have offended anyone.    My cage just got rattled and I
> just can't be quiet anymore.
> 
> Pearl,  from Louisiana
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