Post-secondary education, work experience, licensing, and fine motor skills are all required to become a hisotechnician. A histotechnician is a laboratory technician who prepares body tissue microscope slides for pathologists. In the next five to seven years, this role is expected to grow at a faster rate than the average.
Histotechnicians can work in a variety of laboratories, from research to specialized medical clinics. Attention to detail, manual dexterity, focus, and precision are all required to become a histotechnician. Histology technicians are another term for histotechnicians.
Obtaining a post-secondary education is the first step toward becoming a technician. Histotechnician programs are available at a variety of community and career colleges. Typically, these programs last one to two years and include a clinical work experience component.
Students must take chemistry, math, computer science, and biology in high school to be considered for admission. Make sure the school you choose for the training you need to become a histotechnician is accredited before enrolling. An accredited school has had its academic and administrative policies evaluated by an independent third party to ensure that they meet a minimum standard. Courses from accredited schools are the only ones that can be transferred to other institutions. Accredited schools can also provide their students with access to federal student aid programs.
Almost all histotechnician training programs include a work term or cooperative job placement. These opportunities to gain clinical experience are extremely valuable because they enhance both the student’s resume and their ability to apply what they’ve learned in class. Course grades and level of participation in class discussions are typically used to award prime job placement opportunities.
The American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) offers histotechnician certification after a review of academic credentials, a minimum of 100 hours of clinical experience, and a written exam. After passing the exam, technicians who have been certified by the ASCP can use the designation HT as a professional designation. The exam covers laboratory standards, techniques, and recognizing cell structures.
If you want to work as a histotechnician, you must have excellent fine motor skills, diligence, and focus. People who are most satisfied in this career enjoy working independently and place a high value on accuracy and precision. Because the daily tasks require complete mental concentration, the opportunities for teamwork, personal interaction, and socialization are limited in this role.