What does a histologic technician do?

A Histologic Technician prepares tissue specimens for routine and special procedures to confirm a patient diagnosis. They work in hospital laboratories, government agencies, public health departments, and other institutions.
Histologic technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real histologic technician resumes:
- Perform routine histology/cytology procedures and IHC and manage 7-20 staff members.
- Develop and implement health and safety protocols and procedures in accordance with CLIA and OSHA regulations
- Develop a higher grade eosin for stainline.
- Enter patient specimens into the EMR system/file patient records.
- Cut all control slides for research and run all immunofluorescence slides.
- Perform processing, embedding, microtomy, cryostating, routine and special stains.
- Implement new testing and protocols for ISH, IHC, and special stains.
- Maintain logs, books, and labs in all offices to comply with CLIA standards.
- Perform complex medical laboratory tests (laser scanning cytometry, immunophenotyping, PCR etc . )
- Ensure total facility compliance to GLP by conducting first inspection of facility maintenance, which become an annual inspection.
- Facilitate the scheduled collection and preparation of large volume research samples with microscope precise quality to promote Investigational and GLP studies.
- Prepare tissue sections using microtome for immediate examination.
- Train several technicians in necropsy and histology procedures.
- Demonstrate flexibility by guiding management through unannounce FDA inspection.
- Perform routine, special stains and immunohistochemistry including insitu-hybridization staining.
Histologic technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Histologic Technicians are proficient in ASCP, Patients, and Tissue Specimens.
We break down the percentage of Histologic Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- ASCP, 15%
Obtained USA experience necessary for my USA certification eligibility with ASCP.
- Patients, 12%
Photographed patients and generated medical reports on the hospital computer software.
- Tissue Specimens, 5%
Prepare patient tissue specimens for microscopic examination and analysis by a Pathologist.
- CLIA, 4%
Trouble shooting of instrumentation, QC/QA documentation, all regulatory aspects related to CAP, CLIA, OSHA and DNV.
- IHC, 4%
Perform dilutions, validate new antibodies, and coordinate directly with Pathologists in order to assure perfect demonstration of IHC staining.
- Sectioning, 4%
Performed gross examinations of dermatological specimens, inking them to establish proper orientation and sectioning them if required.
Most histologic technicians use their skills in "ascp," "patients," and "tissue specimens" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential histologic technician responsibilities here:
The three companies that hire the most histologic technicians are:
- Quest Diagnostics37 histologic technicians jobs
- Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings28 histologic technicians jobs
- HealthTrust25 histologic technicians jobs
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Histologic technician vs. Clinical laboratory scientist
A Clinical Laboratory Scientist is responsible for performing laboratory tests that doctors count on to correctly diagnose and treat patients. They examine body fluids, tissues, and cells, identify infective microorganisms, and analyze the chemical constituents of body fluids.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, histologic technician responsibilities require skills like "tissue specimens," "ihc," "sectioning," and "microtome." Meanwhile a typical clinical laboratory scientist has skills in areas such as "test results," "microbiology," "cls," and "hematology." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
The education levels that clinical laboratory scientists earn slightly differ from histologic technicians. In particular, clinical laboratory scientists are 1.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a histologic technician. Additionally, they're 1.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Histologic technician vs. Laboratory specialist
A laboratory specialist develops the areas assigned to them and promotes maximum resource allocation and utilization to achieve their goals. Laboratory specialists handle storage and backup devices, support telecommunication-associated equipment, and relay customer requests and issues. It is their job to process specimens in toxicology, coagulation, microbiology, hematology, chemistry, and urinalysis. Skills and knowledge in a photo lab, cell culture, customer service, and test cases are necessary for this position.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that histologic technician responsibilities requires skills like "ascp," "tissue specimens," "ihc," and "microtome." But a laboratory specialist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "chemistry," "test results," "laboratory tests," and "patient care."
In general, laboratory specialists achieve similar levels of education than histologic technicians. They're 2.5% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Histologic technician vs. Laboratory supervisor
The primary job of laboratory supervisors is to oversee the daily operations of laboratories. They are responsible for facilitating the collection, analysis, and interpretation of laboratory results. Other responsibilities include supervising personnel, managing the operating budget of the laboratory, and hiring employees. Laboratory supervisors are responsible for overseeing quality assurance and enforcing practices to ensure quality control within the laboratory. Aside from these tasks, they also manage the acquisition of laboratory equipment and supplies and resolve any technical or administrative issues within the laboratory.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, histologic technicians are more likely to have skills like "ascp," "tissue specimens," "ihc," and "microtome." But a laboratory supervisor is more likely to have skills like "clinical laboratory," "chemistry," "patient care," and "test results."
Laboratory supervisors typically earn higher educational levels compared to histologic technicians. Specifically, they're 5.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Histologic technician vs. Laboratory assistant/phlebotomist
A laboratory assistant/phlebotomist is responsible for drawing blood samples and other laboratory tests, labeling specimens, and performing administrative and clerical duties as needed. Laboratory assistants/phlebotomists should ensure that the laboratory tools and equipment are stored and secured in a safe area, as well as regularly sterilizing testing tools to avoid contamination upon the use of the patients. They must be highly knowledgeable of the medical procedures and processes, responding to the patients' inquiries and concerns, and providing a timely update of medical results.
Types of histologic technician
Updated January 8, 2025











