Leonius,
As I posted earlier I do believe that everybody's got the opportunity to do a degree in something - there's at least 3 electronics/technology degrees I can think of that have distance-learning options. Not bad considering that there's not really anything out there for Clinical Technologists at all, full-time, part-time or distance-learning.
I do think that HNC is viewed by some as a basic qualification and I don't necessarily agree with this, as I posted earlier. Although it's now the entry-level qualification for qualified technicians in the AfC job-profiles for example. Time doesn't and shouldn't stand still regarding minimum qualifcations, technical knowledge or skills - it appears to me that the job is changing so Technicians attitudes should too.
As for integrity, reliability and commitment to quality this does have very little to do with qualifications fullstop, in my opinion. That's an entirely different argument except that if you're prepared to put in the effort to gain qualifications without a requirement from your employer then this indicates that you're interested in the subject and committed to it. Not uncommon for technicians in this game in my experience.
I think day release students should get special recognition at least the old C & G showed practical experience.
I think the opposite way - I want no special favours and I think that the part-time modules should be classified at an equivalent level as full-time modules, no better no worse. As they are for HNC/HND and ONC/OND. There are many stories of people paying their way through their own HNC/Degree/MSc and undertaking study under very difficult circumstances indeed.
Just sit back and imagine doing your degree again over the next nine years.
Actually some higher qualifications, like many engineering degrees in this profession, are part-time and have been taken over 5 years part-time BEng (hons) or more recently 4 years for M.Eng (hons) since they're professionally accredited and have identical status and content to the full-time courses. P/T ONC, HNC, B.Eng(Hons), M.Sc actually takes 11 years if you go the hard slog you know.
No doubt continuing study has left many in a position where they've not achieved a grade commensurate with their service, experience and skills, perhaps. But something has to give and there's always a price to pay for being interested, dedicated, and committed, I suppose.
I take exception to two of your comments:
Also I would like to add Medical Techs or what ever they are called, tend to undertake more extensive duties in rural areas out of necessity. Where as hospitals in cities tend to only specialize in certain areas Critical care, orthopedic, coronary care, ETC.
I think you're possibly misinformed or perhaps over-generalising.
I feel all the qualifications only require people to turn up and absorb a little knowledge.
I guess when you actually complete an honours degree accredited by a professional institution and do it well then this might change your attitude. Personally I have never just "turned-up" and absorbed a little knowledge whether it was ONC or Post-Grad stuff.
