Histology technicians are clinical researchers who prepare and analyze samples of living tissue to detect abnormalities. Technicians help pathologists identify disease placing samples on microscope slides. Completing a two-year associate’s degree program and passing a voluntary certification test can increase a person’s chances of finding work as a histology technician. A newly certified technician can work in a variety of medical research settings, including general hospitals, specialty clinics, and private laboratories, as an entry-level position.
If a person thinks he or she wants to be a histology technician, make sure the job duties are a good fit for him or her. To keep track of materials, technicians must be meticulous and well-organized. To organize experiments and report results, professionals must communicate frequently with other laboratory personnel and medical doctors. They are in charge of ensuring that all instruments are sterile and in working order at all times. Histology technicians also spend a significant amount of time typing laboratory documents and entering data into computers.
Computer science, communications, biology, and chemistry courses in high school can help someone prepare for a career as a histology technician. In fact, some laboratories will hire high school graduates as entry-level employees. Most employers, on the other hand, demand that prospective technicians have an associate’s degree from an accredited community college or a specialty technical school. The majority of associate’s degree programs last two years and include both classroom and hands-on practical training. Students get hands-on experience with microscopes, slide preparation, and report writing.
To ensure a quality education, prospective students should thoroughly investigate the credentials of the school and its teachers when choosing a histology technician training program. Individuals can learn about tuition rates, graduate statistics, and job placement services offered various programs speaking with admissions advisers and browsing school websites.
After completing an associate’s degree program, a person should think about pursuing voluntary certification from a reputable organization. People who graduate from accredited institutions and pass detailed exams are certified the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) in the United States, for example. Many other countries have organizations that provide credentials to new technicians, similar to the ASCP. A person can begin submitting applications and resumes to potential employers after receiving certification.
A histology technician can work in a hospital, public health clinic, government research organization, or private laboratory as a new professional. Working in hospitals and clinics can be extremely stressful, and technicians are frequently required to work overtime, nights, and weekends in order to assist in emergency situations. A person who chooses to work as a histology technician in a research laboratory is more likely to have regular hours; however, careful, efficient work is essential in both environments. New technicians who gain experience and demonstrate their abilities can often advance to become technologists or supervisors in the future, regardless of their workplace.