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Histologic technicians and technologists prepare
slides of sections of body tissue for microscopic examination by
pathologists (medical doctors who diagnose the cause and nature
of diseases) and scientists.
The process of
preparing human and animal tissue specimens includes tissue fixation,
dehydration, sectioning, mounting, and special staining. Histotechnicians
and histotechnologists must value precision, have very good hand-eye
coordination, be very reliable, and enjoy solving problems.
Histotechnician/ Histotechnologist
Areas of Specialization
A histotechnician prepares routine diagnostic histologic preparations
using standard procedures under daily supervision and review. A
higher standard of education and experience is generally required
for Histotechnologists, who sometimes function as section supervisors,
teach students, and perform more complex analyses such as immuno
histochemical techniques. Some are now learning flow cytometry techniques,
as well as enzyme histochemical techniques as in muscle biopsy laboratories.
Work Environment
Most histologic technicians/technologists work in hospitals or private
pathology laboratories; others may work in research institutions,
industrial laboratories, or government agencies. Hours and work
environment will vary according to the size and type of employment
setting. Histotechnicians and histotechnologists in large hospital
settings may work day, evening, or night shifts and weekends and
holidays. Those in smaller settings may work rotating shifts or
may be on call in case of emergencies.
Job Outlook
An annual growth rate is expected in Florida until 2012 of 2.3%,
i.e. ~364 jobs for medical technicians and 439 for medical technologists.
These fields include histotechnicians and histotechnologists. As
the population ages, more people will need medical tests, thus providing
more jobs.
Length of Training/Requirements
The following requirements must be met in order tto sit for the
American Society for Clinical Pathology examination to be certified
as a histotechnologist:
To be eligible for this ASCP examination category, an applicant
must satisfy the requirements of at least one of the following routes:
Route 1: Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited
college/university with a combination of 30 semester hours (45 quarter
hours) of biology and chemistry AND successful completion of a NAACLS
accredited histotechnician or histotechnology program within the
last 5 years, OR
Route 2: Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited
college/university with a combination of 30 semester hours (45 quarter
hours) of biology and chemistry AND one year full-time acceptable
experience in a histopathology laboratory within the last ten years.
This year of experience must be under the supervision of a pathologist
(certified by the American Board of Pathology in Anatomic Pathology)
or an appropriately board certified medical scientist
Advancement
Histotechnicians who want to advance to histotechnologist status
may complete a baccalaureate degree in any of the natural sciences
or health administration field in order to sit for the American
Society for Clinical Pathology examination as a histotechnologist.
Licensure/Certification
In January 2002, histologic technicians/technologists must pass
the licensure examination administered by the American Society of
Clinical Pathologists before seeking employment in Florida. Continuing
education hours are required every two years for license renewal.
Updated: 2007 |
