histotechnologists
Histotechnologists are laboratory professionals who prepare tissue samples for microscopic examination by pathologists. They perform processing, embedding in paraffin, sectioning on a microtome, and mounting sections on slides, enabling reliable diagnostic evaluation. They may also perform special stains and immunohistochemistry, as well as digital slide preparation and quality control.
Education and certification: Most histotechnologists hold an associate degree in histotechnology or a bachelor's degree in
Work settings: Histotechnologists work in hospital laboratories, reference laboratories, academic centers, and private facilities. They primarily
Duties and skills: In routine work, histotechnologists fix, dehydrate, clear, infiltrate, and embed tissues in paraffin;
History and professional organizations: The field developed alongside advances in pathology during the 20th century. Professional