Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., November 06, 2007 Cheshvan 25, 5768 | | Israel Time: 03:14 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Print Edition Diplomacy Defense Arts & Leisure Real Estate Jewish World National Advertising Magazine Week's End Business Opinion Rosner's Domain Anglo File Books Travel

del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 03:13 06/11/2007 Lack of apprenticeships keeps lab technicians from state licensure By Yuval Azoulay tags: technicians, lab  Dozens of laboratory technicians who have completed their studies are unable to get jobs in hospitals and health maintenance organizations due to a new Health Ministry regulation. As a result, they claim, many are abandoning the profession. The regulation in question, enacted in February 2006, requires medical lab technicians to undergo an apprenticeship of 600 to 1,200 hours, depending on how long it has been since they finished school. After that, they must also pass a licensing exam. But since the ministry does not finance the apprenticeships, the hospitals and HMOs must do so, and many say they have no budget for this. As a result, they are simply refusing to hire lab techs without experience. Advertisement The regulation was adopted to solve a genuine problem: Until then, hospitals and HMOs had required lab techs to undergo an unpaid training period, after which they might or might not be hired. That resulted in numerous suits by lab techs over having been forced to work without pay. However, in solving this problem, the ministry created a new one, with the result that many lab techs are now unable to find work. G., for instance, has a doctorate in medicine and life sciences. Nevertheless, the ministry refuses to certify him unless he undergoes an apprenticeship, which he has been unable to find. Ultimately, he abandoned his effort to find work in the health system and is now working in high-tech instead. Dr. Amir Shanun, head of the ministry's licensing department, said that he is aware of the problem, and the ministry plans to provide a solution "within weeks." It is currently working on a revised regulation, he said, and then all that is needed is approval by the Knesset Labor, Welfare and Health Committee. According to attorney Ilana Misher of the ministry's legal department, the new regulation will allow lab techs to take the licensing exam without first completing an apprenticeship. But not all lab techs are convinced that this will solve the problem. "The exam is very hard, and we can't pass it without an apprenticeship," charged A. "It's a vicious circle." Bookmark to del.icio.us Envoy to the stars With a revival of political satire, Fairuz takes stage in Amman. Diaspora meddlers Should U.S. Jews have a voice in shaping Israel's policies?

Today Online IAF drops flares over Lebanon coast after Hezbollah exercise Responses: 267 Akiva Eldar: Question of when, not if, Mideast goes nuclear Responses: 52 PM slams 'violent brutes' of Beitar J'lem who booed Rabin Responses: 127 Abbas: Aiming for peace deal before Bush leaves office Responses: 159 Rosner's Domain * Should American Jews have a voice in shaping Israel's policies? * Rosner's Guest: The significance of Pharaoh's daughter * Will an Arab-American political block make a diference? * Poll: A "regional peace settlement" before Bush leaves office? More Headlines 22:05 IAF drops flares over southern Lebanon coast after news of Hezbollah exercise 21:32 Iran gives in on Interpol vote on Argentina Jewish center attack 23:46 HAARETZ EXCLUSIVE: Bill Clinton remembers Yitzhak Rabin 22:06 PA surrounds Nablus camp in pursuit of Al-Aqsa gunmen 18:29 Abbas: Aiming for peace deal before Bush leaves office 00:49 Histadrut threatens strike unless treasury negotiates 'sincerely' 02:14 Center for study of war, terrorism opens doors in Tel Aviv 03:09 Israel suffers from environmental problems of developing world 02:56 Two found guilty of forging Greek Orthodox patriarch's signature 19:01 Arab delegates meet in Syria for talks on reviving boycott of Israel Previous Editions Select Day 05 nov 04 nov 02 nov 01 nov 31 oct 30 oct 29 oct 28 oct 26 oct 25 oct 24 oct 23 oct

Special Offers Advertisement learn Hebrew online with israel's best teachers. Sign up for a trial lesson today Invest in Macedonia New Business Heaven in Europe Long-term Israel programs MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants. Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations JOIN FREE AT JDATE.COM The most popular online Jewish dating community in the world! Explore the possibilities! Click Here! Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt. Holiday Inn and Crown Plaza Israel Lowest internet rate Guaranteed at ichotelsgroup.com !

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved