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Frequently Asked Questions
Where do these individuals work?
What is the average salary for a histotechnician?
What type of training is required?
How long will it take to complete the program?
What are the necessary high school courses?
What is the typical cost of this program?
If I apply, what are the chances of getting accepted?
Whom may I contact in the department for more information?
What online
resources would you recommend?
Q: What is a
histotechnician?
A: A histotechnician is an individual who is trained in the
preparation and staining of tissue slides for microscopic examination
and disease diagnosis by the pathologist. Histotechnicians
may work
in a wide variety of areas, such as operating rooms, clinics, doctors'
offices, research, veterinary pathology, marine biology, forensic
pathology, and the pharmaceutical industry. Histotechnicians
may preserve organs for later examination, perform enzyme biochemistry
or electron microscopy. Histotechnicians may also assist the
pathologist in the preparation of frozen tissue sections which are used
to provide rapid diagnosis.
Histotechnicians must be able to discriminate between closely similar items and correction of errors by use of pre-set strategies. They are required to know specific techniques and instruments, and be able to recognize factors which directly affect procedures and results. The technician monitors quality control programs within predetermined parameters.
Q: What is the average salary for a
histotechnician?
A: The national average salary for histotechnicians is
approximately $36,900, although salaries vary by area of the country.
The entry-level salary in Rhode Island is $32,300 - $40,200 per year,
and usually includes benefits. Evening and part-time ositions are
available with shift differential.
Q: What type of
training is required?
A: A two-year program that includes histology training is
required.
CCRI offers a two-year associate degree program that combines theory
with technical skills. This program includes a supervised clinical
experience at a local hospital. At the end of this experience, the
students are eligible to take a registry examination which certifies
them to work in this field and become licensed as a histotechnician by
the State of Rhode Island. The graduating student will receive an
Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree with a major in Histology.
Q: How long will it take to complete the
program?
A: This program can be completed in two consecutive years.
However, if a student must work, all the non-technical courses can be
taken at his or her convenience (evening or day). The technical
courses are offered only during the daytime and must be taken in
sequence unless special permission is obtained from the Program
Director. At a student's request, a program of study can be
designed to fit his or her special needs as long as there is a space
available at the clinical site and arrangements have been made with the
Program Director prior to the student's entrance into the technical
courses.
Q: What are the necessary high
school courses?
A: Any high school student interested in this program should
be enrolled in a math and science curriculum, which includes algebra and
basic sciences (including biology and chemistry). The student
should also have good reading and writing skills, and be ready for
English Composition I at the college level.
Q: What is the typical cost of this
program?
A: The typical cost of the program for a full-time student is
the current CCRI tuition for five semesters, books, lab coats, uniforms
and travel expenses to the clinical sites. The total cost of a two-year
program is approximately $5000.
Q: If I apply, what are the
chances of getting accepted?
A: CCRI accepts approximately 15 students into the
Histotechnician Program each May. If students have prior college
education or clinical experience, they can gain advanced placement into
the program.
Q: Whom may I contact for more information?
- Email Michael Hynes, Office of Enrollment Services, or Tel: (401) 456-6104
Office of Enrollment Services
1 Hilton St.
Providence, RI 02905
- Email Maddie Josephs, Program Director, or Tel: (401) 333-7418
Allied Health Department
1762 Louisquisset Pike
Lincoln, RI 02865
Q: What online resources
would you recommend?
A:
American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS)
www.ascls.org - click on
'careers center'
This is the professional organization for clinical laboratory science
practitioners.
American Society for Clinical Pathology
www.ascp.org
Information on medical laboratory careers
National Society for Histotechnology
www.nsh.org
