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Histology Technicians: Job Description, Education, Skills and Abilities, Earnings and Outlook

Submitted by: paula

Job Overview Histology is the science that deals with the study of the tissues of the organisms. A histology technician is a type of technician who studies different body tissues under a microscope. He works closely with the different laboratory professionals such  as the doctor, called the pathologist, in analyzing the normality and the abnormality of the body tissues being taken as aspecimen for physical and chemical analysis. The result of the examinations that they do is ananalysis of the tissue that may help in the detection of certain pathologic condition or illnesses such as cancers and it's different stages. Most o of the histology technicians areemployees of hospitals, special clinics as well as some medical laboratories. They are directly unde rthe supervision of the histotechnologist or the so-called laboratory manager. Most of the time, they are also known as "histotechnicians".

Education, Knowledge and Trainings Required

Since the job that they do has something to do with the analysis of human health conditions, a rigorous professional training is required. In the majority of the states, a histology technician should complete a minimum of two-year to four-year program in Histology. This includes both the theoretical and clinical trainings that are necessary to enable them to do that job. Certifications from the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Registry is a must.

Skills and Abilities

As histotechnicians deal with the delicate specimens that are taken from the patients with utmost care, they should possess the mechanical skills, such as skills in proper handling these tissues as well as skills in organization. Being keen to details is needed as they are examining minute tissue characteristics for analysis. They should be adept in using the microscopes and doing procedures such as staining and cutting tissues, and preparing as well as preserving slides.

Duties

A histology technician act as assistant to the pathologists and the histotechnologists. Tissues are being collected from the body through procedures called scrapings and biopsy.

These tissues are specifically collected as specimens so as to identify the characteristics that may be significant in detecting certain diseases and certain progression of the diseases previously known. As histotechnicians, they are responsible in preparing the sample tissues to be studied. They cut them in specific measurements, secure them in slides, and stain them as needed.The prepared specimen will be studied under the microscope by the technician himself wherein the results will be verified by the pathologist, or will be studied by the pathologist alone.

Job Outlook and Salary

The average salary for the histologic technicians points to around 54,000 U.S. dollars per annum. This is dependent on the following factors such as the employer, the location of employment, and the educational and experiential level.  It is also predicted that the job opportunities in this field will be good and continue to increase until the year 2016.

Paula Hiz is a researcher and a human resource specialist who helps newly graduates, job applicants and post graduate professionals be aware of their job opportunities and available trainings for skills and practice upgrading.

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Word Count: 506 Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2011 Time: 3:59 PM


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