AS DEFINED, HEALTH SERVICE TECHNICIANS ARE NORMALLY PREPARED FOR ENTRY INTO THEIR OCCUPATIONS BY PURSUING A POST-SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM THAT DOES NOT DEMAND A BACCALAUREATE DEGREE BUT USUALLY INCLUDES A COMBINATION OF THEORY, PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE, MANUAL SKILL, AND WHEN APPROPRIATE, ACTUAL CLINICAL PRACTICE. EXAMPLES OF SUCH TECHNICIANS INCLUDE X-RAY TECHNICIAN, R.N. (A.D.N.), MEDICAL RECORD TECHNICIAN, DISPENSING OPTICIAN, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT, AND INHALATION THERAPY TECHNICIAN. NEW CONCEPTS OF INSTRUCTION ARE BEING INTRODUCED THROUGH TELEVISION, VIDEOTAPE RECORDING, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNICAL CENTERS FOR HEALTH CAREERS. ALTHOUGH PROBLEMS OF STANDARDS ARE GRADUALLY BEING SOLVED THROUGH LEGISLATION AND LICENSING REQUIREMENTS, THERE IS STILL WIDE DISPARITY IN DEPTH AND BREADTH OF TRAINING PROGRAMS. DEFECTS IN MANY COLLEGE PROGRAMS ARE CONTINUING AND WILL REQUIRE CLOSER ANALYSIS AND ATTACK BY COOPERATING PHYSICIANS, DENTISTS, TECHNICIANS, AND EDUCATORS. THIS DOCUMENT IS ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF JUNIOR COLLEGES, 1315 SIXTEENTH STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036, FOR $1.00. (AL)