An issue here is how Human Resources people and others look at positions and
decide where a position lands in the overall pay scale for the institution.

A big consideration is the education required for the position. This has to
be stated in the job description.  If a college degree is required, you will
likely have luck in moving the salary range closer to what Cytotechs and
Medtechs are paid.

The issue of HT & HTL certified techs.  If folks with HT certification and
those with HTL certification are doing virtually the same work and have job
descriptions that are deemed to be comparable, the Human Resources
administrators will deem them to be doing the same job and thus be in the
same job.

The plan to increase educational requirements to sit for the HT (ASCP) exam
may be both a boon and a bane.  A boon because increased educational
requirements will help Human Resources perspective and the overall scheme of
salaries.  A bane because it may contribute to more labs doing On The Job
Training  and not requiring registration--as one respondant mentioned is
already happening.

Recently, we recruited for 5 months and were unsuccessful in finding a HT to
fill our position. We did offer a good salary, plenty of benefits, tuition
reimbursement, continuing education opportunities, & moving expenses. We are
located in a metropolitan community of about 1.5 million people and have
many cultural, entertainment, & professional sports attractions.  We finally
changed our focus to growing our own histotech.  We advertized a position to
train to become an HT.  We were astounded by the response to the add.  We
had many excellent candidates from whom to pick.  It seems lots of folks
were attracted by the opportunity to be trained with a useful skill while
also getting a salary. We plan to utilize Glenda Hoye's long distance
learning program from Indiana University.