Histotechnologists

Apply knowledge of health and disease causes to evaluate new laboratory techniques and procedures to examine tissue samples. Process and prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May solve technical or instrument problems or assist with research studies.

Histotechnologists are specialized medical lab workers. They play a crucial role in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases by turning tissue samples into microscope slides.

Histology is the study of microscopic structures of tissues. Once a tissue sample is taken from a patient, histology technicians are the people responsible for taking the sample and creating those microscopic structures. After the samples are prepared, a pathologist will examine the slides for diagnostic or research purposes.

The identification and understanding of disease processes, including cancer, would not be possible without the skills and contributions of these highly trained allied health professionals.

Histology technicians work with pathologists, pathologist assistants, residents, fellows, lab assistants, and lab managers. Technicians operate precision equipment and work with a variety of dyes and chemicals to make tissue abnormalities visible with a microscope. Pathologists use those slides for research or to make a diagnosis.

A histology technician and a histotechnologist generally perform very similar tasks in their day-to-day operations. The main difference is that a histotechnologist has more advanced education and training to give them the qualifications necessary to obtain the HTL certification. A histotechnologist can also usually perform more complex techniques and go on to become a supervisor, advance into various leadership roles, or obtain a teaching position.

Technicians typically work early hours in clinical pathology or private laboratories so slides can be ready for the pathologists when they begin their day. Some technicians may work in research, veterinary, pharmaceutical, and forensic laboratories. Advancement is also possible in areas such as education, test development, quality assurance, and management.

After completing high school (or the equivalent), most go on to complete additional education and training. The typical pathway to become a histology technician includes a Bachelors. Some degree programs include a histology clinical rotation in a medical facility that allows you to complete your education and certificate program as one program.

In order to become a histotechnologist, you’ll need to have a bachelor’s degree and certification from a National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) or Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA) accredited program.

Regulations vary from state to state, but certification is highly recommended because many employers require it. The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) offers national certification and testing, which earns histotechnologists the title Certified Histotechnologist (CHTL).