2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 16 - Regulation of the Practice of Histology (§§ 321 — 340) › § 321 - Definitions

For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meaning expressed below:
(a) Histology. — The science that studies and through which are conducted the processes for fixing, dehydrating, clearing and impregnating in paraffin, human tissue samples for the inclusion, cutting and mounting of ultrathin sections of tissue product of biopsies or organ removal. It also involves the handling and processing of bodily fluids and secretions.
(b) Histologic technician (HT) and Histotechnologist (HTL). — Histologic technicians and Histotechnologists are health professionals who meet the requirements established in this chapter and who are qualified through academic and practical training so as to provide services in anatomical pathology laboratories.
Histotechnologists are responsible for:
(1) Identifying, receiving and accessing bodily tissue and fluids.
(2) Preparing said tissue for microscopic examination through chemical processes that include fixing, dehydrating, clearing, impregnating, inclusion in paraffin, microtomy and cellular staining.
(3) Recognizing factors that affect the procedures and the results taking the proper action between predetermined limits when correction is indicated.
(4) Applying all safety principles in pathology laboratories.
(5) Maintaining a quality control plan and alternate quality control plans for chemical emergencies as part of their continuing education.
(6) Monitoring quality control efforts.
(7) Following laboratory procedures in processing and handling samples, analyzing, reporting and maintaining records on the results.
(8) Closely following quality control standards, documenting all quality control processes and developing preventive and corrective maintenance of the equipment and instruments according to laboratory standards and procedures.
(9) Following established laboratory standards and procedures when the analysis systems fail to meet the established execution levels and documenting the corrective action taken.
(10) Exercising supervisory functions and any other functions related to their training.
Histologic technicians are responsible for:
(1) Conducting their functions under the direct supervision of a histotechnologist.
(2) Following laboratory procedures in processing and handling samples, analysis, reports and maintaining a record of the results.
(3) Notifying the histotechnologist when the systems for analysis fail to meet the established execution levels.
(4) Closely following quality control standards, documenting all quality control processes and developing preventing [sic] and corrective maintenance of the equipment and instruments.
(5) Recognizing factors that affect the procedures and the results and immediately notifying the histotechnologist.
(6) Documenting the corrective actions taken when the systems for analysis deviate from the execution specifications established in the laboratory.
(7) Assisting in processing samples for freezing and all other tasks assigned by the histotechnologist.
Besides the aforementioned duties, histologic technicians are responsible for assisting in processing samples for freezing. Histologic technicians are responsible for identifying cellular structures and their staining characteristics; developing preventive and corrective maintenance of the equipment and the instruments; monitoring quality control within the predetermined limits and exercising their supervisory functions.
(c) Board. — The Board of Examiners of Histologic Technicians and Histotechnologists created through this chapter.
(d) Secretary. — The Secretary of Health of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(e) Department. — The Department of Health of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(f) Revalidation examination. — Qualifying examination that measures the level of knowledge and the aptitude and skills for practicing the profession of histologic technician and histotechnologist.
(g) License. — Document issued by the Board to authorize its holder to practice histology in Puerto Rico, as provided in this chapter.
History —Aug. 31, 2000, No. 258, § 2.