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Histotechnologists: Job Description

Apply knowledge of health and disease causes to evaluate new laboratory techniques and procedures to examine tissue samples. Process and prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May solve technical or instrument problems or assist with research studies.

The Daily Work of Histotechnologists Take On?

The core tasks performed by histotechnologists cover:

Embed tissue specimens into paraffin wax blocks, or infiltrate tissue specimens with wax.
Cut sections of body tissues for microscopic examination, using microtomes.
Stain tissue specimens with dyes or other chemicals to make cell details visible under microscopes.
Compile materials for distribution to pathologists, such as surgical working drafts, requisitions, and slides.
Compile and maintain records of preventive maintenance and instrument performance checks according to schedule and regulations.
Perform tests by following physician instructions.
Operate computerized laboratory equipment to dehydrate, decalcify, or microincinerate tissue samples.
Prepare substances, such as reagents and dilution, and stains for histological specimens according to protocols.

Key Skills and Knowledge

Top histotechnologists combine a mix of skills and domain knowledge.

Most Important Skills

The abilities that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Reading Comprehension 3.5 / 5

Critical Thinking 3.4 / 5

Monitoring 3.4 / 5

Judgment and Decision Making 3.4 / 5

Speaking 3.2 / 5

Active Learning 3.2 / 5

Core Knowledge

Biology 4.0 / 5

Production and Processing 3.5 / 5

Chemistry 3.5 / 5

Customer and Personal Service 3.4 / 5

English Language 3.2 / 5

Administrative 3.0 / 5

Other Histotechnologists Job Titles

People in this occupation may also be known by titles such as:

Clinical Lab Manager (Clinical Laboratory Manager)
Grossing Technician (Grossing Tech)
Histocompatibility Technologist
Histologist
Histology Lab Manager (Histology Laboratory Manager)
Histology Specialist
Histology Technologist
Histotechnician

How Many Histotechnologists Are There?

There are about 1,612,133 histotechnologists working in the United States today. Employment is projected to grow by +4.1% over the projection horizon.

Forecasted number of jobs for Histotechnologists

Histotechnologists Pay

Statistic	Value
Annual median	$125,527
Hourly median	$60.35
10th percentile	$69,493
25th percentile	$97,510
75th percentile	$153,544
90th percentile	$181,561

Compensation varies based on experience, location, and industry.

Software Histotechnologists Use

Medical software: MEDITECH software (hot technology)
Data base user interface and query software: Microsoft Access (hot technology)
Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)

What the Workplace Is Like

The work environment for histotechnologists reflects the following characteristics:

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
Time Pressure
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

How to Become Histotechnologists

Typical histotechnologists positions require a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in Considerable Preparation Needed (Job Zone 4), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.

Similar Occupations

Microbiologists (Primary-Long)
Biological Technicians (Primary-Long)
Chemical Technicians (Supplemental)
Physicians, Pathologists (Supplemental)
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists (Primary-Short)
Cytogenetic Technologists (Primary-Short)
Cytotechnologists (Primary-Short)
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians (Primary-Short)

Degree Programs

Aspiring histotechnologists typically earn programs in:

5 programs across 1 majors

Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science

References

Statistics shown above are sourced from the following authoritative sources:

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.

SOC code: 29-2011.04 (Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists).

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