What does a histopathology technician do?

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.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, histopathology technician responsibilities require skills like "laboratory equipment," "laboratory results," "anatomic pathology," and "tissue samples." Meanwhile a typical laboratory supervisor has skills in areas such as "clinical laboratory," "patients," "chemistry," and "patient care." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

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.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that histopathology technician responsibilities requires skills like "laboratory results," "anatomic pathology," "troubleshoot," and "sectioning." But a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "patients," "blood specimens," "customer service," and "phlebotomy procedures."

A clinical laboratory assistant specializes in performing support tasks in a laboratory or similar setting using their in-depth knowledge. They are primarily responsible for assisting researchers, preparing samples and apparatus, conducting experiments and analysis, maintaining extensive documentation of all processes and results, and reporting to management. Moreover, a clinical laboratory assistant is also responsible for gathering necessary information before beginning studies and maintaining the laboratory's cleanliness and sanitation. It is vital to implement all the safety rules and regulations to ensure a safe and productive work environment.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, histopathology technicians are more likely to have skills like "laboratory equipment," "laboratory results," "anatomic pathology," and "troubleshoot." But a clinical laboratory assistant is more likely to have skills like "patients," "phlebotomy," "clinical lab," and "customer service."

Laboratory assistants work for researchers, scientists, or professors in the laboratory setting. They are expected to have a solid background in the field of study of the laboratory they are assigned to. They do a variety of tasks in the laboratory, such as setting up equipment, observing experiments, analyzing results, creating reports, and recommending improvements to the testing. They may also be assigned to clean and sanitize laboratory equipment as needed. Laboratory assistants should have good research skills, analytical skills, and organizational skills.