Histology Technician (Lab Assistant)

What does a Histotechnician do?

Histotechnicians prepare biopsy or tissue specimens for examination by Pathologists (or Medical Doctors of the Laboratory). The steps involve: examining and recording the physical description of small specimens, operating specialized lab equipment, and using sharp-bladed instruments to slice paraffin (wax) embedded tissue blocks into thin sections that are mounted on glass slides for review. Through work, the histotechnician provides critical information that is used to inform diagnostic and treatment decisions.

An understanding of anatomy and cell structure is critical in making the appropriate technical decisions for processing. The histotechnician must be able to properly prepare tissues, handle delicate samples, and operate sharp instruments competently.

Success in this career requires courses in anatomy and physiology, biology, immunology, and chemistry.

Minimum education and experience

To work in a clinical laboratory in New York State, histotechnicians must obtain a New York State License to practice. To qualify for the license, applicants must meet both the education AND examination requirements:

• The education component is met with an associate’s degree in Histology or completion of a 12-month Histology Technician Certificate Program (for those who already have an associate’s degree).
• The examination requirement is met by passing the New York State Histotechnician Licensing examination administered by the American Society of Clinical Pathology.

Days/hours

The lab is a 24-hour, 7-day week operation; Day, evening, weekend, and overnight hours may be required.

Position locations

• Hospital Lab
• Bailey Road Lab

Work environment

This position works in a laboratory setting and requires manual dexterity due to the nature of the process. The histotechnician works on a team; each one completing a step of the manual process of preparing the specimens.

May require periods of sitting and standing.

• Handling Biological Specimens: Histotechnicians routinely handle human or animal tissue specimens. This requires strict adherence to safety protocols and universal precautions to prevent exposure to infectious agents.
• Focus, Precision, and Attention to Detail: The work demands exceptional precision, meticulous attention to detail, and strong fine motor skills. Some aspects of the work, such as cutting tissue sections or embedding, can be repetitive, requiring stamina and focus over extended periods.
• Specialized Equipment: The role involves extensive use of highly specialized laboratory equipment, including microtomes, tissue processors, embedding centers, stainers, and microscopes.
• Chemical Exposure: The work involves regular exposure to various chemicals, such as formaldehyde (a fixative), xylene (a clearing agent), and various stains. Proper ventilation, fume hoods, and personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves, lab coats, and safety glasses are mandatory.
• Documentation and Record Keeping: Accurate and thorough documentation of procedures, quality control results, and specimen tracking is a critical part of the job.

Pay range

Use the code URC 212 to find the pay range in the General and Clinical University pay ranges section of the University’s Compensation page.

The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job’s compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal benchmarking considerations.

Possible career pathway

An example of a pathway within this job family at the University of Rochester:

Histotechnician > Histotechnician Lead > Laboratory Supervisor > Laboratory Management/Administration

Learn more about careers in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine on the URMC Lab webpage.

URCP Education Partners

Monroe Community College (MCC) has partnered with Broome Community College (BCC) in Binghamton, NY to offer this educational career opportunity to residents of the Rochester area. Upon meeting the admission requirements, applicants may complete general courses locally at MCC and the histology program courses online through BCC. The clinical training requirements are then completed in the University of Rochester Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.

• SUNY Broome Community College (online)