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Tissue technician vs histologic technician

The differences between tissue technicians and histologic technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a tissue technician, becoming a histologic technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a histologic technician has an average salary of $49,962, which is higher than the $37,948 average annual salary of a tissue technician.

The top three skills for a tissue technician include sterile technique, american association and tissue recovery. The most important skills for a histologic technician are ASCP, patients, and tissue specimens.

Tissue technician vs histologic technician overview

Tissue TechnicianHistologic Technician
Yearly salary$37,948$49,962
Hourly rate$18.24$24.02
Growth rate--
Number of jobs39,1356,785
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age4444
Years of experience122

What does a tissue technician do?

A tissue technician retrieves tissues from donors and deceased individuals whose organs are signed up for donations. Tissue technicians work with surgeons on their transplant requests for organ donation. The tissue technician's job is to visit hospitals, funeral parlors, and such to harvest tissue, store it properly, and transport it safely to its destination. A tissue technician is a vital person for a surgeon and patients scheduled for operation or transplant.

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.

Tissue technician vs histologic technician salary

Tissue technicians and histologic technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Tissue TechnicianHistologic Technician
Average salary$37,948$49,962
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $50,000Between $33,000 And $75,000
Highest paying City-Sacramento, CA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Battelle
Best paying industry--

Differences between tissue technician and histologic technician education

There are a few differences between a tissue technician and a histologic technician in terms of educational background:

Tissue TechnicianHistologic Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common majorBiologyBiology
Most common collegeNew York UniversityStanford University

Tissue technician vs histologic technician demographics

Here are the differences between tissue technicians' and histologic technicians' demographics:

Tissue TechnicianHistologic Technician
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 44.8% Female, 55.2%Male, 30.4% Female, 69.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 12.1% White, 54.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between tissue technician and histologic technician duties and responsibilities

Tissue technician example responsibilities.

  • Recognize & investigate instrument malfunctions, perform calibrations, manage QC, and maintain comprehensive written records of tests & procedures.
  • Create and monitor metrics for program success with AATB and FDA compliance.
  • Inspect and fulfill orders in compliance with CFR and FDA guidelines.
  • Perform QC and instrument maintenance, taking appropriate action to maintain accuracy and precision.
  • Process, package and distribute according to policy protocols and procedures adhering to AATB standards.
  • Perform data analysis of results, maintain records, files and logs of work perform for FDA review.
  • Show more

Histologic technician example responsibilities.

  • 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.
  • Show more

Tissue technician vs histologic technician skills

Common tissue technician skills
  • Sterile Technique, 16%
  • American Association, 9%
  • Tissue Recovery, 8%
  • Human Tissue, 8%
  • Surgical Instruments, 7%
  • Data Entry, 6%
Common histologic technician skills
  • ASCP, 15%
  • Patients, 12%
  • Tissue Specimens, 5%
  • CLIA, 4%
  • IHC, 4%
  • Sectioning, 4%

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