Histotechnician - Associate in Applied Science

Occupational Title: Histotechnician
Liston Campus, Providence only

This program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)

5600 N. River Road., Suite 720

Rosemont, IL, 60018

773-714-8880

[email protected]

Histotechnicians are integral members of the healthcare team. It is the job of the histotechnician to prepare sections of human tissue from biopsy or autopsy for microscopic examination by processing and cutting tissues, mounting them on slides and staining them with special dyes for microscopic examination by a pathologist for the diagnosis of disease. Most histotechnicians work in hospital laboratories, medical research laboratories, veterinary pathology and forensic laboratories.

The CCRI Histotechnician program prepares students to enter this challenging and rewarding field and provides them with entry-level knowledge, application and problem-solving skills needed to function as active members of the healthcare team. Graduates of the program are eligible for:

• Employment in a hospital, crime lab, veterinary lab and public health facility.
• Transfer to a bachelor’s degree program.
• Sitting for the national certification examination for HT given by ASCP Board of Certification (BOC).

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Technical standards: The physical activity level for Histotechnician (078.261.030) is classified as “light” by the Department of Labor in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles.

Note: Many courses require prerequisites, corequisites and/or testing. See course descriptions at the back of the catalog for details.

General Policies

See important general policies in the beginning of this section on the performance-based Health Sciences application process, academic progress, advanced placement, background check, CPR certification, health insurance, health records, reinstatement, transportation, uniforms, and equipment.

Minimum Requirements to Apply to the Histotechnician Program

1. CCRI application – Complete and submit a CCRI Application for Enrollment. General Studies should be the first choice; pre-Histotechnician (HSTO) should be the second choice.
2. High school transcript – An official copy of a high school or GED® transcript, including date of graduation, must be provided. If the applicant holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, the high school transcript may be waived; a college transcript must indicate completion and degree awarded.
3. CCRI uses a multiple measures approach to determine admission into Health Science programs (For example: High School and GED® transcripts, SAT, ACT, HESI A2 or ACCUPLACER scores). Placement can also be determined by taking college level English and Math courses. Anyone with a degree from a regionally accredited higher education institution may have this requirement waived following submission of the official college transcript. If using ACCUPLACER, the following guidelines are used:
   • Placement testing – Complete a standardized test (ACCUPLACER) issued by CCRI’s Advising Center. Students may NOT retake the ACCUPLACER test before completing the remedial course/courses. Note: For application purposes, ACCUPLACER testing can be waived for students who provide documentation of a bachelor’s degree or higher. Students are advised that individual departments may still require ACCUPLACER testing as a prerequisite for their courses. 
   • Reading comprehension test must show competency of 90 or above in the Classic ACCUPLACER or a score of 259 or above in the Next Generation ACCUPLACER or students must complete Reading and Study Skills Program (ENGL 1002) with a grade of B- or better. Composition I for Speakers of English as a Second Language (ESL) (ENGL 1300) will not substitute for Composition I (ENGL 1010).
4. Complete courses required for admission with a grade of C or better:
   • Human Biology (BIOL 1070)
   • Survey of Biomedical Chemistry (CHEM 1010) or General Chemistry I (CHEM 1030)
5. GPA – A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better for all college courses taken.
6. Health Sciences application – Complete and submit a performance-based Health Sciences application including a preadmission degree evaluation during the open enrollment period.
   • Important: Submission of a performance-based Health Sciences application does not guarantee acceptance to the program. Acceptance is based on points earned as listed in the program acceptance criteria point system. (See Dean of Health and Rehabilitative Sciences webpage.) At the time of admission, students must meet the current admission requirements. Students declining acceptance into the program for the semester offered must resubmit a performance-based Health Sciences application and meet the current admission requirements. Once accepted, students must attend a mandatory orientation conducted by the Allied and Rehabilitative Health Department.
7. Background check – Students are required to submit a background check when directed by notification from One Stop Student Services.

Program Requirements

• Major requirements must be taken in sequence and are open only to students who are formally accepted into the program.
• Students must be accepted to the program before taking any major requirements.
• Students must complete all courses in this program with a cumulative index of 2.0 to qualify for the Associate in Applied Science degree.
• No grade of less than C is acceptable in any technical course (HSTO). Students receiving less than C will be dismissed from the program.
• Program faculty reserve the right to require withdrawal of any student from the program or to refuse reinstatement based on the student’s academic, clinical or behavioral performance.
• Students are responsible for the purchase of books, uniforms, and transportation prior to clinical assignments.
• Composition I for Speakers of English as a Second Language (ESL) (ENGL 1300) may not be substituted for Composition I (ENGL 1010).