A histotechnician is a specialist in the preparation and staining of microscope slides used in disease diagnosis. Normally, the histotechnician prepares the slides but does not perform the microscopic examination or diagnosis; a pathologist is responsible for this part of the process. People working in these science jobs, also known as histologic technologists, play an important role in diagnostic processes because they must be familiar with a variety of specimen preparation methods and be able to quickly decide on the best way to preserve tissues.
Histology is the study of the structure of cells and tissues, as well as how they are organized to form organs. The histotechnician’s job is to use their expertise to preserve samples of tissues and organs in a state as close to their natural state as possible. This isn’t always straightforward, as there are a variety of techniques for preserving tissue and staining cells to enhance diagnostic characteristics.
The histotechnician freezes the tissue sample before cutting it into wafer-thin slices to prepare a single microscope slide for examination. The tissue slices are then mounted on a microscope slide, and the technician selects from a variety of dyes to stain the tissue so that it can be seen under a microscope. Different types of cells and tissues require different types of staining to make them visible, so picking the right dye is crucial.
Histotechnicians can work in a variety of lab settings, including hospitals, for-profit diagnostic labs, public health clinics, and even factories. Many people choose to specialize in human tissue and work in medical fields, but others may choose to pursue careers in marine biology, veterinary medicine, or other fields. The ability to work quickly and accurately under pressure is especially important for technicians working in hospital laboratories, as they are frequently called upon to prepare slides of tissues from patients who are still in surgery, with the surgeon waiting for a diagnosis before deciding how to proceed.
A histotechnician in the United States must complete at least a two-year program that includes histology classes. Candidates in the United States will receive clinical experience in a hospital laboratory in addition to theoretical work, but requirements in Canada, the United Kingdom, and other countries may differ. Some states also demand that people obtain a license before they can work. These science careers are ideal for people who want to work in medicine but don’t want to spend the four years or more it takes to earn a Bachelor’s or graduate degree.