Histotechnicians create microscope slides of body tissue for pathologists. To become one, post-secondary education, work experience, licensing, and fine motor skills are needed. The role is expected to grow in the next five to seven years. Accredited schools offer histotechnical programs, including clinical work experience. Certification is available from the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. Precision and accuracy are important traits for success in this career.
There are four things needed to become a hysterical technician: post-secondary education, work experience, licensing, and fine motor skills. A histotechnician is a laboratory technician responsible for creating microscope slides of body tissue for a pathologist. This role is expected to have an above-average growth rate over the next five to seven years.
Histotechnicians can find job opportunities in a wide range of laboratories, from research to specialty medical clinics. Becoming a histotechnician requires attention to detail, manual dexterity, focus and precision. Histotechnicians are also known as histology technicians.
The first step to becoming a technician is to get a post-secondary education. A wide variety of community and career colleges offer histotechnical programs. These programs are typically one to two years and include a term of clinical work experience.
To qualify for admissions, students need courses in high school chemistry, math, computer science, and biology. When selecting a school for the training needed to become a histotechnician, make sure the school is accredited. An accredited school has been assessed by an independent third party to assess academic and administrative policies to ensure compliance with a minimum standard. Only courses from an accredited school can be transferred to other institutions. In addition, accredited schools may offer their students access to government student aid programs.
Almost all training programs to become a histotechnician include a term of work or cooperative work placement. These opportunities to gain clinical experience are very important as they enhance the student’s curriculum and ability to relate course work to practical applications. Awarding of privileged work placement opportunities is generally based on course grades and level of participation in class discussions.
Certification as a histotechnician is available from the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) upon evaluation of academic credentials, a minimum of 100 hours of clinical experience, and a written exam. Upon successful completion of the exam, the ASCP-certified technician can use the HT as a professional designation. The exam covers patterns, techniques and recognition of cell structure.
Motor skills, diligence, and focus are all very important if you want to become a histotechnician. People who have the highest level of satisfaction in this career enjoy working independently and value precision and accuracy. Opportunities for teamwork, personal interaction, and socializing are limited in this role, as daily tasks require full mental focus.
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