What Does a Histotechnician Do?

A histotechnician receives tissue specimens from autopsies, biopsies or surgeries. They use chemicals, dyes and technical equipment to preserve the specimens and complete the tasks needed to get the specimens on glass slides to be used for diagnosis. Histotechnicians may digitally photograph images, do special procedures in immunohistochemistry, become safety specialist, MOHS (skin cancer procedures) etc.

A histotechnician is an expert in preparing and staining microscope slides that are used in diagnosing disease. Normally the histotechnician prepares these slides but does not do the actual microscopic examination and diagnosis; this part of the process is reserved for a pathologist. Also known as histologic technologists, people working in these science jobs have an important role in diagnostic processes, as they must have knowledge of many different methods of specimen preparation, and be able to quickly decide on the best way to preserve tissues. Histology is a science that is concerned with the structure of cells and tissues, and how they are arranged to form organs. The role of the histotechnician is to use their expert knowledge to preserve samples of tissues and organs in a state that is as close as possible to their natural formation. This is not always easy, as there are many different ways to preserve tissue and stain cells to enhance characteristics that allow diagnosis. ...  more