Histology technician education
teaches students prepare body tissue slides.
Histology technician education provides the necessary knowledge to teach students prepare body tissue slides for microscopic examination to confirm a patient's diagnosis. A histology technician works under the supervision of a certified pathologist in hospital laboratories, research institutions, public health departments and academic research centers. Technicians are responsible for freezing and cutting tissue samples, mounting them on slides and staining them with special dyes to make them visible under an electron microscope.
Prerequisites
Prior to entering a histology technician program, applicants will need to obtain a high school diploma or GED equivalent along with courses in biology, chemistry, anatomy, algebra and computer applications. Individuals interested in this type of career should have attention to detail, possess manual dexterity, enjoy working with a team of clinical researchers and have exceptional eyesight for use of the microscope.
Degree Options
Histology technician education can be obtained through a two-year associate's degree. Prospective students have the option of taking courses either through a community college, technical school or teaching hospital. When choosing a histology technician program, make sure the school is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Not attending an accredited program will prohibit graduates from sitting for their certification examination.
Financial Aid
Students looking for a way to pay for histology technician training can utilize Federal Student Aid programs, which offer financial assistance in the form of grants, loans and work-study programs.
Coursework
Through their coursework, students will become familiar with medical terminology, human anatomy, general biology, microbiology, chemistry and introductory and advanced histology techniques. Topics covered within the histology courses include infection control, electron microscope use, processing laboratory samples, staining samples, immunohistochemistry, enzyme histochemistry, instrument safety and certification exam preparation. Toward the end of the program, students will have the opportunity to complete an externship either through a hospital laboratory, research institution or public health department.
Certification
After training, graduates are required to obtain their Histology Technician (HT) credential through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Eligibility requirements include graduating from an accredited associate's degree in histology technology and a minimum of 12 months of experience working as a histologic technician under the supervision of a certified pathologist. The computerized certification exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions that need to be completed within a two-hour period. Individuals are given a score of either pass or fail immediately after the test. After passing the exam, histology technicians are required to maintain continuing education units (CEUs) each year.
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