Histotechnician

Associate Degree Program

Histotechnicians, also known as HTs, are experienced laboratory personnel that prepare human or animal tissue samples for microscopic examination by the pathologist. The microscopic slides created by the Histotechnicians assist pathologists in the detection of diagnosis of cancer and other pathological conditions.

As a Histotechnician, tissue samples are prepared and diagnosed through fixation, embedding, sectioning, and staining. In some cases, a Histotechnician must perform frozen sections on tissue samples. Frozen sections must be done extremely quickly and accurately for the pathologist to analyze the microscopic slide and inform the awaiting surgical team the diagnosis.

Histotechnicians are detail oriented and use their fine motor skills to integrate theoretical knowledge with the completion of tissue preparation for a specific purpose.

Academically ready students can apply to the program following the guidelines of the Allied Health admissions process. Interested applicants should review the information provided here and contact their program advisor for application requirements.

Offered at the following campus(es): Wilmington

What You Can Do

In this program, you will gain the knowledge and skills to prepare you for positions such as:

• Medical field: hospitals, doctors' offices, private labs
• Botany
• Marine Biology
• Pharmaceutical Research
• Dermatology
• Forensic Science

What You Will Learn

Program Graduate Competencies

The Program Graduate Competencies listed below identify the major learning goals related to your specific program of study and identify the knowledge and skills you will have when you graduate to be successful in your chosen field.

1. Receive and accession tissue specimens accurately.
2. Prepare tissue specimens for microscopic examinations, including all routine procedures.
3. Assist with 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. Explain 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 to all clinical laboratory procedures.
9. Demonstrate professional conduct and interpersonal communications skills with patients, the public, laboratory and other health care personnel.
10. Describe the responsibilities of other laboratory and health care personnel and interact with them with respect for their jobs and patient care.
11. Explain and act upon individual needs for continuing education as a function of growth and maintenance of professional competence.
12. Exercise principles of management, safety and supervision within the clinical laboratory environment.

Core Curriculum Competencies

The Core Curriculum Competencies listed below identify what you will be able to do as a graduate, regardless of your program of study. You will acquire these core competencies through general education courses and program-specific coursework. You will be expected to use relevant technology to achieve these outcomes:

1. Apply clear and effective communication skills.
2. Use critical thinking to solve problems.
3. Collaborate to achieve a common goal.
4. Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
5. Use information literacy for effective vocational and/or academic research.
6. Apply quantitative reasoning and/or scientific inquiry to solve practical problems.

Suggested Pathway to Graduation

Pursuing a Bachelor's Degree?

This is a Connected Degree program that enables you to complete your associate degree and then transfer to a four-year degree program as a junior. See a program advisor for details!