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Community College of Rhode Island
Histotechnician program introduced at CCRI
CCRI offers New England's only associate degree program in the high-demand health profession
CCRI has recently added to their offerings a 63-credit histotechnician program, the only one of its kind at a community college in New England.
Histotechnicians play an intricate part in the health care system, working primarily in labs preparing tissue specimens for microscopic evaluation by a pathologist, which ultimately leads to patient diagnosis. The skills developed in training for the career include a working knowledge of anatomy, biology and chemistry.
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Those completing the degree program will earn an Associate in Applied Science degree. Successful graduates will be eligible to be nationally certified by the American Society of Clinical Pathology, and are required to earn state licensure to work in Rhode Island.
In response to industry needs expressed by the Rhode Island Society of Pathologists, the histotechnician program at CCRI has been under development for several years, and partnerships have been established with several clinical sites in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts.
"The demand trends in many of the allied health fields have caught national attention," says Histotechnician Program Director Maddie Josephs. "Community colleges are in a position to help recruit interested individuals into the dozens of health care career tracks available. We prepare our students with the skill sets they’ll need to be an effective part of the health care delivery team, and match our highly qualified graduates with well-paying jobs. It’s a win-win situation for our graduates and for employers."
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College officials and faculty charged with developing the curriculum surveyed pathology professionals and potential employers of program graduates to ensure that students will graduate with the latest and most in-demand technical skills. The program is seeking full accreditation and is supported in seeking its accreditation with monetary donations by state and regional societies for histologists and by histological product manufacturers.
A recent $1.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor and Training will help support the success of histotechnician students as well as their counterparts in other health fields at the college through peer support, academic tutoring, improved clinical training and mentorship guidance.
For more information about the histotechnician program at CCRI, contact Program Director Maddie Josephs at (401) 333-7418 or mjosephs@ccri.edu.
