Histologic technicians play important roles in the detection of cancer cells. Once a sample tissue is taken from a patient, the histotechnician prepares very thin sections of body tissue for microscopic examination. With the information learned from the section of tissue biopsy, the physician can determine if disease is present, if it has spread and determining the best course of treatment for the patient. The histologic technician works with fragile, delicate instruments as well as knives, chemicals, and glass slides. He or she must value precision and have good hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity.
Histologic technicians have an unlimited choice of practice settings.
Hospitals, for-profit laboratories, clinics, public health facilities, business and industrial settings currently have positions for qualified histologic technicians. Other opportunities may be found in industrial research, veterinary pathology, marine biology, and in forensic pathology. Students are permitted to repeat a maximum of six hours of coursework.