What Do Histotechnologists Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Histotechnologists prepare histologic slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May assist in research studies. They also stain tissue specimens with dyes or other chemicals to make cell details visible under microscopes.

Other tasks include:

• Cut sections of body tissues for microscopic examination, using microtomes.
• Mount tissue specimens on glass slides.
• Embed tissue specimens into paraffin wax blocks or infiltrate tissue specimens with wax.
• Examine slides under microscopes to ensure tissue preparation meets laboratory requirements.
• Freeze tissue specimens.
• Perform procedures associated with histochemistry to prepare specimens for immunofluorescence or microscopy.

We asked Histotechnologists how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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74% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 82% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Histotechnologists maintain laboratory equipment, such as microscopes, mass spectrometers, microtomes, immunostainers, tissue processors, embedding centers, and water baths. They cut sections of body tissues for microscopic examination, using microtomes.

A typical day for a Histotechnologist and Histologic Technician will also include:

• Mount tissue specimens on glass slides.
• Stain tissue specimens with dyes or other chemicals to make cell details visible under microscopes.
• Operate computerized laboratory equipment to dehydrate, decalcify, or microincinerate tissue samples.
• Supervise histology laboratory activities.
• Identify tissue structures or cell components to be used in the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of diseases.

We asked some Histotechnologists a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	68% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	55% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	88% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	13% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	10% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	55% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Histotechnologists also freeze tissue specimens. They may also perform electron microscopy or mass spectrometry to analyze specimens.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Histotechnologists Teach students or other staff. They might also Perform procedures associated with histochemistry to prepare specimens for immunofluorescence or microscopy.

In addition, they Prepare or use prepared tissue specimens for teaching, research or diagnostic purposes.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Identify tissue structures or cell components to be used in the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of diseases.

To some Histotechnologists, it is also their responsibility to Supervise histology laboratory activities.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Histotechnologist and Histologic Technician, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/healthcare/medical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicians.htm

http://www.ascls.org/

http://www.cytopathology.org/

http://www.naacls.org/