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Histotechnologists Occupation Detailed Description

Histotechnologists career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Histotechnologists

The main tasks and work activities of Histotechnologists are to analyze laboratory findings, analyze laboratory specimens to detect abnormalities or other problems, maintain medical laboratory equipment, operate laboratory equipment to analyze medical samples. In general, for the Histotechnologists, active Listening, reading Comprehension, critical Thinking, science and other 15 skills are required.
Histotechnologists Job Description
EducationMost of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related ExperienceA considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
ExampleMany of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, chemists, art directors, and cost estimators.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Histotechnologists jobs. 7.50% of Histotechnologists have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 10.00% of Histotechnologists have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
0.00%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
7.50%
Post-Secondary Certificate
10.00%
Some College Courses
2.50%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
47.50%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
32.50%

Tasks and Work Activities of Histotechnologists

  • Analyze laboratory findings to check the accuracy of the results.
  • Conduct chemical analysis of body fluids, including blood, urine, or spinal fluid, to determine presence of normal or abnormal components.
  • Operate, calibrate, or maintain equipment used in quantitative or qualitative analysis, such as spectrophotometers, calorimeters, flame photometers, or computer-controlled analyzers.
  • Enter data from analysis of medical tests or clinical results into computer for storage.
  • Analyze samples of biological material for chemical content or reaction.
  • Set up, clean, and maintain laboratory equipment.
  • Provide technical information about test results to physicians, family members, or researchers.
  • Supervise, train, or direct lab assistants, medical and clinical laboratory technicians or technologists, or other medical laboratory workers engaged in laboratory testing.
  • Develop, standardize, evaluate, or modify procedures, techniques, or tests used in the analysis of specimens or in medical laboratory experiments.
  • Cultivate, isolate, or assist in identifying microbial organisms or perform various tests on these microorganisms.
  • Obtain, cut, stain, and mount biological material on slides for microscopic study and diagnosis, following standard laboratory procedures.
  • Select and prepare specimens and media for cell cultures, using aseptic technique and knowledge of medium components and cell requirements.
  • Conduct medical research under direction of microbiologist or biochemist.
  • Harvest cell cultures at optimum time, based on knowledge of cell cycle differences and culture conditions.
  • Establish or monitor quality assurance programs or activities to ensure the accuracy of laboratory results.
  • Collect and study blood samples to determine the number of cells, their morphology, or their blood group, blood type, or compatibility for transfusion purposes, using microscopic techniques.
  • Develop and implement training programs for trainees, medical students, resident physicians or post-doctoral fellows.
  • Stain slides to make chromosomes visible for microscopy.
  • Summarize test results and report to appropriate authorities.
  • Select or prepare specimens and media for cell cultures using aseptic techniques, knowledge of medium components, or cell nutritional requirements.
  • Documenting/Recording InformationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Interacting With ComputersUsing computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUsing relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Analyzing Data or InformationIdentifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Processing InformationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkDeveloping specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Analyze laboratory findings.
  • Analyze laboratory specimens to detect abnormalities or other problems.
  • Maintain medical laboratory equipment.
  • Operate laboratory equipment to analyze medical samples.
  • Enter patient or treatment data into computers.
  • Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use.
  • Clean medical equipment or facilities.
  • Communicate test or assessment results to medical professionals.
  • Communicate detailed medical information to patients or family members.
  • Supervise technical medical personnel.
  • Train medical providers.
  • Determine protocols for medical procedures.
  • Prepare biological specimens for laboratory analysis.
  • Cultivate micro-organisms for study, testing, or medical preparations.
  • Collect biological specimens from patients.
  • Conduct research to increase knowledge about medical issues.
  • Develop healthcare quality and safety procedures.
  • Prepare healthcare training materials.
  • Prepare reports summarizing patient diagnostic or care activities.
  • Prepare official health documents or records.

Skills and Abilities for Histotechnologists

  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • ScienceUsing scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • InstructingTeaching others how to do something.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • MathematicsUsing mathematics to solve problems.
  • Service OrientationActively looking for ways to help people.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Social PerceptivenessBeing aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Visual Color DiscriminationThe ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Written ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Hypodermic needlee.g. 22-gauge needles
  • Hematology analyzerse.g. 5-part differential automated hematology analyzers
  • Electronic multichannel pipetterse.g. 8 and 12 channel pipettes
  • Blood bank analyzerse.g. Agglutination viewers
  • Anaerobic jars or accessoriese.g. Anaerobe jars
  • Analytical balancese.g. Analytical balances
  • Tissue culture coated plates or dishes or insertse.g. Antigen-coated test plates
  • Steam autoclaves or sterilizerse.g. Autoclaves
  • Chemistry analyzerse.g. Automated chemistry analyzers
  • Coagulation analyzerse.g. Automated coagulation analyzers
  • Hematology analyzerse.g. Automated hematology analyzers
  • Hematology analyzerse.g. Automated platelet analyzers
  • Urinalysis analyzerse.g. Automated urinalysis equipment
  • Chemistry analyzerse.g. Automated/semi-automated dipstick analysis systems
  • Laboratory diluterse.g. Automatic pipetter diluters
  • Robotic or automated liquid handling systemse.g. Automatic pipetters
  • Tissue processorse.g. Automatic tissue processors
  • Laboratory balancese.g. Balances
  • Bench refractometers or polarimeterse.g. Bench refractometers
  • Specialty plates for bacteriae.g. Blood agar plates
  • Medicine and DentistryKnowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
  • BiologyKnowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • ChemistryKnowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • ClericalKnowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
  • Administration and ManagementKnowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.