"I wonder what these different organizations have done for us that is significantly important for our careers? I have not seen the effect of their efforts on my career."

So the key point is that we govern our careers, and we participate in these organizations to make them better to help the growth and sustainability of our careers. My main involvement was with ASMT (ASCLS). It was mostly run by volunteers who wanted to improve the profession. I worked on the local and state level in Pennsylvania. Did that person attend local meetings or run for office? Did they contribute to PAC funds to help lobby? Did they help mentor the new hires to make sure they stayed in the profession and performed well? Did they set up tables at lab week to show the public what we do? Did they write in to senators when CLIA was being voted on? I could go on.

Just compare the early starts of the nursing profession to our start and how each handled the process -- both on the part of the nurses and the organizations that formed and the lobbying. They have been successful and we have not. Mostly due to the fact that many technologists didn't unify into their own group, but stayed attached to an organization run for and by pathologists.

Please note that nursing professional groups and certifying bodies are not overseen by doctors. Many technologists will not spend the time nor money in furthering their profession by uniting and accomplishing goals through interaction, activism, lobbying and promotion (public relations). Note there is special federal funding for those becoming nurses, but not for those who want to be technologists. Ask why? The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Many med techs have not stood up and squeaked. We like to hide in the basement with our tests and gripe to each other. The nurses get out there and get noticed. Our own reticence and non-action has not helped us. When trying to provide meetings and continuing education, the complaint I heard was they were not going to do anything extra if not paid for it. That is the mindset of a person doing a job. They blame others when the job is not where they wish it was. The mindset of a professional is that they are involved with their career. (Back in the day, it was debated if we are a profession in the same way that doctors and nurses are when it comes to unionizing, licensure and other legal issues.)

Today, it's also called "ownership." If you are a professional then you own it, and don't blame others, but fix it. You don't sit back and think some organization that you are not part of will do it.

--Carol Pfeifle,
Portland, OR,
Via e-mail 

ADVANCE reserves the right to edit submissions for clarity and brevity. To write a letter to the editor, contact: ADVANCE for Medical Laboratory ­Professionals, 2900 Horizon Dr., King of Prussia, PA 19406, Attention: ­Matthew T. Patton; e-mail mpatton@advanceweb.com or fax to 610-278-1425. The letters printed in ADVANCE do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ADVANCE, its endorsers or its editorial advisory board.