A histotechnologist is a specialist in the preparation of tissue samples for examination. Histotechnologists work in environments such as pathology laboratories, hospitals, veterinary facilities, and research institutions, and these samples can be animal or human in origin. Employment opportunities in this field vary depending on the field in which one wishes to work and the level of education one has received.
A bachelor’s degree in the sciences is usually required to work as a histotechnologist, with additional training in microscopy, tissue handling, and related topics. A histotechnologist may be required to be licensed by a government agency or professional organization in some areas, while in others, it may be possible to simply apply for lab work after graduation. People who want to make a career out of histotechnology usually join professional organizations so that they can stay up to date on the latest developments in the field. They may also attend conferences, subscribe to trade journals, and participate in other enrichment activities.
Preparing samples for examination and preserving samples are critical aspects of a histotechnologist’s job. In addition to fixing and staining samples on slides and setting up microscopes, he or she may freeze, dry, or perform other processes to prepare samples for examination. Basic microscopy is also used by some histotechnologists to identify areas of interest for pathologists to examine. Writing up results, organizing samples in storage, following protocol to keep the lab safe and clean, and maintaining lab equipment are some of the other job responsibilities.
A histotechnologist may be required to work under duress in some situations. A surgeon, for example, might take a biopsy during surgery and wait for pathology results to decide what to do next, or a histotechnologist might be part of a team responding to a disease outbreak, in which case he or she would need to move quickly to keep information current and relevant to other team members.
A histotechnologist’s working environment can be diverse. Long periods of time must usually be spent standing, and histotechnologists are frequently exposed to infectious and potentially dangerous material, particularly in high-security labs that handle specimens of unknown or dangerous diseases. Because labs have set operating hours, the hours are usually very consistent, and working successfully in a lab environment necessitates a high level of precision and coordination, as well as a team attitude to keep the lab running smoothly and encourage cooperation.