Histotechnician - Associate in Applied Science

1. Receive and accession tissue specimens.
2. Prepare tissue specimens for microscopic examinations, including all routine procedures.
3. Assist with gross examination and frozen section procedures in histopathology.
4. Identify tissue structures and their staining characteristics.
5. Perform preventive and corrective maintenance of equipment and instruments or refer to appropriate sources for repairs.
6. Recognize factors that affect procedures and results, and take appropriate action within predetermined limits when corrections are indicated.
7. Perform and monitor quality control within predetermined limits.
8. Apply principles of safety.
9. Demonstrate professional conduct and interpersonal communication skills with patients, laboratory personnel, and other healthcare professions, and with the public.
10. Exercise principles of management, safety and supervision.
11. Recognize the responsibilities of other laboratory and healthcare professionals and interact with them with respect for their jobs and patient care.
12. Recognize and act upon individual needs for continuing education as a function of growth and maintenance of professional competence.
13. Implementing emergency procedures and administering first aid including CPR.

CCRI will provide services and training, without discrimination, to academically qualified persons who meet the following technical standards required to participate in the Histotechnician Program.

Physical Requirements: The position of Histotechnician has been given a strength ratio of LIGHT WORK by the U.S. Dictionary of Occupational Titles (exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force 2/3 or more of the time to move objects). The position involves walking, standing and sitting for prolonged periods, as well as stooping, bending, lifting and carrying. The ability to operate and control equipment is necessary to include starting, stopping, adjusting and observing gauges, dials, etc.

Visual Observation: The student must possess visual acuity sufficient to allow for each of the following:

1. Differentiation of colors and color changes during the performance of histologic procedures.
   Color blindness itself does not preclude admission.
2. Differentiation and identification of specimens using microscopic techniques.
3. Reading lab instrument technical procedure manuals, standard operating procedures, specimen labels and other pertinent materials for patient care and professional practice.
4. Numerical Ability: Requires the ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide all units of measure.

Form/Special Ability: Requires the ability to inspect dimensions of items and to visually read information and data.

Motor Functions: The student must possess motor and dexterity skills sufficient to permit each of the following:

1. Lift and handle typical hand-held medical laboratory equipment and tools.
2. Manipulate histology instruments and equipment in a manner consistent with standards of histology practice.
3. Perform all routine functions and tasks required in the various departments of the histology laboratory.

Communication Skills: The student must possess verbal and non-verbal skills adequate for transmitting and receiving information from patients and hospital personnel. The student must be able to read, write, speak and comprehend English with sufficient skill to communicate.

Behavioral and Social Skills: The student must exhibit behavioral and social skills that are acceptable to the college and hospital settings. Students must be able to attend to work assignments and instructions/orders given.

Health Form: The student must submit a completed health form to include required inoculations and physical exam before beginning clinical rotations. CPR Healthcare Provider (AHA) is required and a copy of card must be submitted to the Allied and Rehabilitative Health Department.

• What is a histotechnician?
• 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 does the Histotechnician Program consist of at CCRI?
• 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?

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 be employed in a 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.

A histotechnician 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 $47,200, although salaries vary by area of the country. The entry-level salary in Rhode Island is $47,500 - $59,738 per year, and usually includes benefits. Evening and part-time positions are available with shift differential.

Q: What type of training is required?

A: A two-year program that includes histology training is required. 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 training program at CCRI is an associate degree program that combines theory with technical skills. This program includes a supervised clinical experience at a local hospital. The student will receive an Associate in Applied Science degree (AAS) 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 does the Histotechnician Program consist of at CCRI?

A: The program contains three semesters at the clinical site (hospital): 2 days/week for 15 weeks in the spring semester of freshman year, 3 days/week for 15 weeks in the fall semester of sophomore year, and 4 days/week for 15 weeks in the spring semester of sophomore year. Training occurs during the daytime from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The student must also take general education requirements. A minimum grade of C or better is required, and the student must have a 2.0 cumulative grade point average to graduate from the college.

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. Additional information can be found on the Bursar website at www.ccri.edu/bursar.

Q: If I apply, what are the chances of getting accepted?

A: CCRI accepts approximately 15 students into the Histotechnician Program each March.

Q: Whom may I contact for more information?

• Email Michael Hynes, Office of One Stop Student Services, or Tel: (401) 825-2266

Community College of Rhode Island
Office of One Stop Student Services
1 Hilton St.
Providence, RI 02905

• Email Maddie Josephs, Program Director, or Tel: (401) 333-7418

Community College of Rhode Island
Allied and Rehabilitative 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.

A: American Society for Clinical Pathology
www.ascp.org
Information on medical laboratory careers

A: National Society for Histotechnology
www.nsh.org

 

*Completion Rate is determined by the number of students who began the second half of the program (semester 4 & 5) and graduated