What You'll Do

  • 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.

Essential Skills

Active Listening 3.5/5
Critical Thinking 3.5/5
Reading Comprehension 3.38/5
Monitoring 3.25/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.25/5
Speaking 3.12/5
Science 3.12/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.12/5
Writing 3.0/5
Coordination 3.0/5
Time Management 3.0/5
Active Learning 2.88/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.

Common styles

Attention to Detail, Integrity, Dependability, Cooperation, Stress Tolerance

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Near Vision 4.0/5
Finger Dexterity 3.75/5
Oral Comprehension 3.62/5
Deductive Reasoning 3.5/5
Arm-Hand Steadiness 3.5/5
Written Comprehension 3.38/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.38/5
Information Ordering 3.38/5

Technologies & Tools

Brady Specimen Labeling System Cerner Millennium Laboratory information system LIS MEDITECH software Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Word Presentation software Specimen labeling system software Spreadsheet software

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.72/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.5/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.44/5)
  • Cooperation (High importance: 4.36/5)
  • Stress Tolerance (High importance: 4.08/5)

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How to Become One

This career typically requires vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some specialized training or certification may also be required.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Certified Histologic Technician (Certified Histologic Tech) Clinical Histology Technician (Clinical Histology Tech) Histologic Aide Histologic Technician (HT) Histologist Histology Assistant Histology Consultant Histology Coordinator Histology Lab Assistant (Histology Laboratory Assistant) Histology Laboratory Aide Histology Technician (HT) Histotechnician Mohs Technician (Mohs Tech)