Histotechnician

What is a Histotechnician?

Duties

As a practicing histotechnician, you will be expected to perform the following tasks:

• Use software such as Microsoft word and excel to perform routine computer procedures like recording team work log sheets and temperatures.
• Monitors and maintains various documentation like block files, reports, matches slides and resolves any problems that occur.
• Use advanced knowledge of surgical laboratory instruments to work accurately and quickly with histology specimens, whether it is embedding, cutting, coverslip or processing.
• Support the resident pathologist when needed, with autopsies and by carrying out gross descriptions on specific specimens.
• As advised by the section supervisor or pathologist, you must follow established hospital and departmental policies before doing any histology procedures.

Day In The Life

Histotechnicians are skilled lab professionals that work behind the scenes, spending their days preparing and processing different specimens to diagnose the presence or absence of disease. With this key contribution, you play a vital role in solving crimes, finding unique perspectives on a range of diseases and gaining new insights on products like plant foods.

With the use of established scientific procedures, the role carefully prepares the specimen then runs a number of tests based on what the pathologist requests. For instance, you might be testing a biopsy to confirm the presence of cancerous cells. Being accurate and timely is important in this role as any misstep with histologic slides can lead to incorrect results, which may change the diagnosis of a donor completely.

When a histotechnician receives the sample, he or she takes the first step to prepare it by trimming its dimensions to fit a slide – this requires superior training and skills. When the specimen is measured and prepared, it is further treated to preserve its state, then stained, embedded or sectioned according to specifications. Attention to detail is required to minimise erroneous results. The pathologist then conducts microscopic examination and assessment of the slides.

Work Schedule

You will be working in a standard laboratory setting that is temperature controlled, clean and well-organised. You are expected to work up to 40 hours per week, performing routine tasks.

Growth Of The Job

The Bureau of Labour Statistics predicts a job growth of 14-15% for lab technicians between the 2014-2024 decade, which is faster than the average for other U.S. occupations. Moreover, the vacancy rate for staff-level histotechnicians was around 8.5%, which means that there is a strong demand for technicians to meet the current requirements.

You can look forward to periodic promotions, eventually becoming a supervisor in charge of other peers. Those interested in advancing their educational qualifications can attain a bachelor of science degree and apply for histotechnologist roles. This would lead to more advanced forms of testing and higher salary potential.

Typical Employers

Career prospects for histotechnicians are promising, especially as histology remains a growing field with the demand far exceeding the supply of skilled lab technicians. They typically work at doctor’s clinics and offices, clinical pathology labs, research labs, government agencies, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies. You might also work with forensic and veterinary laboratories. Sufficient experience in the field can lead to working in other industries such as education, quality assurance, management and administration.