Prior to trying to figure out what a histology technician is and what a histology technician does, it’s vital that you have a clear understanding in regards to the differences between histology technicians and histology technologists.
Lots of times, those words can both be interchangeable, and you can understand why because each carries out similar tasks. However, the main difference is that although both involve intense education and training, the histology technologists normally would go thru a much tougher path in their studies, which goes much deeper into the reasoning of why tissue is sliced and tested.
What is a Histology Technician?
In contrast, the histologic technician (HT) normally is taught to slice the tissues knowing that the work they’re doing will be verified by the lab’s medical professionals (such as Pathologists), who are ultimately responsible for testing the results to find any abnormalities that may require further research. Histology Technologists normally supervise Histology technicians, and Pathologists supervise the histology technologists.
What is Histotechnology?
According to the National Society for Histotechnology (NSH) Histotechnology is a science centering on the microscopic detection of tissue abnormalities for disease diagnosis and the treatment of diseases. Histotechnologists use dyes, chemicals, and reagents to prepare surgical specimens for screening under a microscope by a pathologist.
Using various chemical reactions, histotechnologists are able to stain tissue in a way that allows the pathologist to tell the difference between various tissues and cell structures. These differences allow pathologists to then make a diagnosis and offer treatment options for patients.
What do Histology Technicians Do?
Histology technicians prep and work with plant tissue as well as animal tissue, which also includes human tissue. The tissues are preserved with a waxy substance and stored for further examination if needed in the future.
Histology tech duties are to slice the tissue sample tissue to form sections, and then remove any extra fluids from the piece. Once the pieces are dry the histology technician would then place the piece of dry tissue under a microscope that’s using a mounted slide. An instrument called a “microtome” is sometimes used when the tissue sample is a certain size, and the act of slicing becomes very important. These sections are sliced extremely small, and can only be read under a microscope.
Stain is then used on the sliced sections so that they are more visible when looking at the variation of the tissue. A specific type of coloring (dye) is utilized to stain the tissue. It’s the histologic tech’s job to make certain all test requirements are met, and this is done by carefully inspecting all samples to be sure that none of them have anything that may contaminate the final results.
Why is This Role Important?
Medical Research relies heavily on the testing of tissues and plays a very important part in healthcare. For this reason, the Histology technician could actually work in numerous organizations, which include clinic labs, research labs, medical facilities, vet offices, and some even work for law enforcement agencies doing forensic duties.
Histology Technician Salary
According to ZipRecruiter, as of Sep 2, 2021, the average hourly pay for a Histology Technician in the United States is $28.06 an hour. That’s equal to about $58,369 per year.
How to Become a Histology Technician
If you would like to become a histology technician you should prepare yourself for long hours, and also work strange shifts if you work in a hospital. The salary is well worth it, as histology techs are up there with some of the higher-paid specialists in the United States of those that work in the clinic’s lab.
You will need to have at least gone to a 12-month class and lab training if you’d like to be in the running for a histology technician job. The coursework includes many of the lab sciences such as immunology, chemistry, lab math, med ethics, and many others. Many would recommend that you do this in an associate’s program, but you would really give yourself a much better chance in the job market if you’d get your bachelor’s in Histology.
Location - Kissimmee, FL,
US 34741With over four decades of experience, Northbridge University stands as an accredited, licensed institution dedicated to academic excellence and diversity. The university operates under institutional l...icense 2024-311 issued by the Board of Postsecondary Institutions (JIP) and proudly holds reaffirmed accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This distinction also includes Columbia Central, The DAVE School, and Hillsboro Aero Academy, offering programs in on-campus, online, and hybrid learning formats.Northbridge University also holds a license from the Commission for Independent Education in Florida (CIE), authorizing it to offer master’s, bachelor’s, associate, and technical diploma programs in the United States. Its culinary programs in Kissimmee are accredited by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation’s Accrediting Commission (ACFEFAC) and are part of the International School of Culinary Arts.Northbridge University is authorized by the U.S. Department of Education to manage Title IV federal financial aid programs and by the Veterans Education and Training Approving Agency to serve military members, veterans, and their dependents with accessible educational opportunities.At Northbridge University, students can choose from a wide range of academic programs—from technical certificates and diplomas to associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees—available in flexible on-campus, online, and hybrid learning formats. With campuses strategically located in Puerto Rico and Florida, the university includes The DAVE School, a leader in digital animation and visual effects, and a technical division with 12 postsecondary campuses throughout Puerto Rico.Hillsboro Aero Academy, based in Oregon and operating three campuses, is also part of Northbridge University’s educational network and is recognized for its excellence in aviation training.Every year, our online division helps thousands of students succeed by offering flexible, high-quality programs designed to fit the fast-changing needs of the modern world.Driven by its commitment to student success, Northbridge University continues to grow with new programs, learning formats, and academic opportunities—solidifying its reputation as a forward-thinking, inclusive, and dynamic institution of higher learning.Below are the programs offered at Northbridge University’s campuses (not all programs are offered at all locations):BeautyBusinessConstruction TradesHealthcareHospitalityInformation TechnologyChoose what is right for you. Enhance your learning experience by enrolling in one of our Hybrid/blended programs, which combine on-ground and online instruction. Complete your interactive assignments online and come to campus for your practice labs for a convenient and interactive learning experience! Here are just some of the benefits of the blended programs: Class Schedule Flexibility, Online Courses Available 24/7, Online Assignments, Hands-On Labs, Face-to-Face with the Instructor, On-Ground and Online Campus Experience in a Blended Environment. (Not offered for all programs). Northbridge University offers degrees and diplomas in many specialties. The best way to learn more about us is to schedule an appointment with an admissions representative and take a no-obligation tour of one of our campuses.
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ProgramsNursing - Associate Degree
Nursing - Bachelor's Degree
Location - Waco, TX,
US 76706Southern Careers Institute has maintained a tradition of career training for over 50 years. In that time we have trained students the professional skills necessary to gain employment in their lo...cal communities. In today’s job market, you need skills and knowledge that will get you started, and put you in a position to advance. SCI has made it our mission to provide our students with employer-tailored programs designed to make our graduates the most marketable in the industry.We call our approach The SCI Edge, and it makes our students as competitive as those of any of the accredited colleges or technical schools in Texas. Increasing the demand for our graduates and ensuring their long term success revolves around three key elements.1. National or State Recognized Certifications:Every program at SCI focuses on preparing students with training that will help them become eligible to earn multiple certifications and stand out when compared to graduates of accredited colleges.2. Career Skills Badges:Our programs give our students the opportunity to earn a variety of career skills with electronic badges that serve as credentials that our employer partners recognize and value.3. SCI Connect:Our SCI Connect online platform matches our students to our employer network needs and employers now have access to the verifiable skills badges and credentials in one location. Our platform gives every student an electronic profile that our career services team uses to market the students verifiable skills badges and certifications to the SCI employer network. The goal, here, is to provide the connection with employers to help them stand above the crowd of graduates from other accredited technical schools.For your convenience, SCI Texas offers day and evening classes at all campus locations: Austin, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Harlingen, Pharr, San Antonio North, San Antonio South and Waco. Programs may vary by campus.Need more reasons to choose Southern Careers Institute?• Career Placement Assistance• Instructors who care• Financial aid available, if qualified• Programs are approved for VA Funding Read More
Location - Clearwater, FL,
US 33756Change your life!UMA will be here every step of the way.Ultimate Medical Academy is a nonprofit healthcare career school committed to helping you succeed. We offer flexible online courses to prepare y...ou for a healthcare career on your schedule, and our advisors are here to support you throughout your education and beyond!Once you enroll, you'll receive individualized student services like: • Flexible online learning • Academic support • Access to one-on-one and group tutoring • A dedicated advisor to help with life’s challenges • 24/7 technical support • Certification prep for applicable programs • Job interview coaching • Job search assistanceUMA’s Online Associate Degree Program OfferingsOur curriculum is tailored the meet the needs of the healthcare industry. That means you can be prepared to pursue entry-level roles once your graduate! Applicable UMA programs alsoprepare students to sit for relevant certification exams.Our online programs include: • Health and Human Services • Health Information Technology • Healthcare Management • Health Sciences - Healthcare Technology & Systems • Health Sciences - Pharmacy Technician • Medical Administrative Assistant • Medical Billing and Coding • Medical Office and Billing SpecialistUMA Stats • 10,000+ Students • 28+ Years in Healthcare Education • 75,000+ Alumni • 100+ Career Support Team Members • 100+ Learner Services Advisors A History of EducationSince 1994, UMA has educated thousands of students across the nation at our online and Clearwater, FL campuses. With an alumni population of more than 50,000, UMA offers extensive services to help students graduate and pursue careers in the growing field of healthcare. UMA is Institutionally Accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).We can help you begin your education today!Gainful employment information can be found at UltimateMedical.edu/gainful-employment and includes information on tuition, loan debt, completion, placement, and occupations. Read More
ProgramsPatient Care Technician
