Career Details

29-2012.01 - Histology Technicians

Prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May assist with research studies.

Key Facts

Bright Outlook

Career Details

Green Job

Career Details

Current Employment

163,400

Estimate

Forecasted Employment

192,400

Estimate

Change in Employment

+29,000

Estimate

Change in Employment %

+17.8%

Estimate

Tasks

The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.

Generic

Archive diagnostic material, such as histologic slides and blocks.
Cut sections of body tissues for microscopic examination, using microtomes.
Embed tissue specimens into paraffin wax blocks or infiltrate tissue specimens with wax.
Freeze tissue specimens.
Maintain laboratory equipment, such as microscopes, mass spectrometers, microtomes, immunostainers, tissue processors, embedding centers, and water baths.
Mount tissue specimens on glass slides.
Operate computerized laboratory equipment to dehydrate, decalcify, or microincinerate tissue samples.
Stain tissue specimens with dyes or other chemicals to make cell details visible under microscopes.

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.

No specific knowledge is listed for this career

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Tools

The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.

Histology equipment

Laboratory centrifuges and accessories

Computers

Laboratory ovens and accessories

Weight measuring instruments

Laboratory incubating equipment

Labeling machines

Laboratory cooling equipment

General laboratory storage containers and cabinets

Electrochemical measuring instruments and accessories

Laboratory slide stainer equipment and accessories

General laboratory glassware and plasticware and supplies

Laboratory baths

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Technology

The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.

Business function specific software

Industry specific software

Data management and query software

Content authoring and editing software

Information exchange software

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Certifications

FastForward at Virginia's Community Colleges is a short-term training program for high-demand industries, like healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades and infrastructure, helping Virginians get the jobs and salaries they need. Our goal is to get you trained, help you earn your certification, and get you into a career that can support you and your family. Explore the latest training program offerings by visiting FastForward

The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.

No specific certifications are listed for this career

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Licensing

The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.

No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Related Programs

Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.

INSTITUTION

PROGRAMS

Central Virginia Community College

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Danville Community College

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J Sargeant Reynolds Community College

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Laurel Ridge Community College

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Mountain Empire Community College

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Northern Virginia Community College

Programs

Medical Laboratory Technology, A.A.S.

Associate of Applied Science

The curriculum is designed to prepare students to perform essential laboratory testing on blood and body fluids that is critical to the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. In a medical laboratory, the medical laboratory technician (MLT) is part of a team of highly skilled pathologists, technologists, and phlebotomists working together to determine the presence, extent or absence of disease, and helping to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. This program emphasizes 'hands-on' practice of laboratory methods in a state-of-the-art laboratory at the Medical Education Campus in Springfield, followed by clinical experience at various affiliating healthcare organizations.

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to take the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification examination and other national certification examinations offered at the technician level.

Credit for Prior Learning: Students in this program who have completed a military laboratory training program and hold Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) Certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) are eligible for credit for prior learning in the major coursework. See an academic advisor for further information.

Medical Laboratory Technology: Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA), C.S.C.

Career Studies Certificate

The program is designed to prepare personnel who collect, process, and perform selected tests on samples for medical laboratory analysis. Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLAs) work in hospitals, medical clinics, and reference laboratories. The curriculum includes learning experiences: on-campus, online, and, in partnership, with affiliated clinical laboratories. Graduates are eligible to sit for the American Society for Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) national examination to become certified as a Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA).

Paul D. Camp Community College

Programs

Rappahannock Community College

Programs

Southwest Virginia Community College

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Tidewater Community College

Programs

Associate of Applied Science - Medical Laboratory Technology

Associate of Applied Science

The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) prepares students for employment as medical laboratory technicians upon graduation and certification. Graduates may work under the supervision of a physician or medical technologist (MT) performing routine clinical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.

Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to the MLT program. Applicants to this program must complete BIO 101, BIO 141, and MTH 161 (previously MTH 157 or MTH 158) with a "C" or higher for consideration of admission. Students must submit an unofficial transcript along with their health professions application. They must also submit an official copy of their transcripts from other colleges attended to the Office of the College Registrar prior to the program application deadline. Applicants must have maintained a curricular GPA of 2.5 or better during previous college study. Attendance at an orientation session and a personal interview are also required. For further information regarding admission, continuance and graduation, go to tcc.edu (search keywords "medical laboratory technology").

Upon completion of an accredited program, Medical Laboratory Technicians are eligible to complete a national certification exam administered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) to become certified as a medical laboratory technician.

The Medical Laboratory Technology Program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018 (773) 714-8880, https://www.naacls.org/.

Career Studies Certificate - Phlebotomy

Career Studies Certificate

The Phlebotomy program prepares students for entry-level employment in hospitals, medical offices, and clinics with training in blood draw and preparation/processing of blood tests. It also prepares students to take the National Certification Examination in Phlebotomy.

Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to the Phlebotomy program, with applications accepted until classes are full. Students must submit a copy of their immunization records at the time of application. For further information regarding admission, continuance, and graduation requirements (e.g., proof of satisfactory health status, "C" grade point average or better), go to tcc.edu (search keyword "phlebotomy").

Students enrolled in this curriculum are not eligible for federal financial assistance.

Virginia Western Community College

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Wytheville Community College

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