Occupation: 29-2010

Histotechnologists

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.

Experience Requirements Overview

  • Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
  • A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
  • Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
  • Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree

Related Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months

Detailed Work Activities

  • Maintain repair or maintenance records.
  • Distribute supplies to workers.
  • Collect biological specimens from patients.
  • Prepare biological specimens for laboratory analysis.
  • Analyze laboratory findings.

Tasks

  • 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.

Work Styles

Achievement/Effort

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Persistence

Initiative

Leadership

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self-Control

Stress Tolerance

Adaptability/Flexibility

Dependability

Attention to Detail

Integrity

Independence

Innovation

Analytical Thinking

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.