Histological Technician A.A.S.

Associate in Applied Science

CIP Code: 51.1008

Histotechnology professionals prepare, mount, cut, and stain tissue sections used by pathologists to diagnose disease or other abnormalities, such as cancer.  They have diverse and multi-level functions in the areas of analysis and clinical decision-making, information management, regulatory compliance, education, and quality assurance/performance improvement wherever anatomic pathology testing is researched, marketed, developed or performed.  They perform, develop, evaluate, correlate and assure accuracy and validity of laboratory testing and procedures; direct and supervise anatomic pathology laboratory resources and operations; and collaborate in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Effectively communicate verbally and in writing with clinical instructors and other laboratory personnel.
2. Demonstrate professional conduct and interpersonal communication skills with patients, laboratory personnel, and other health care personnel. 
3. Perform routine procedures and laboratory tasks while practicing technical skills to improve proficiency and confidence in the lab.
4. Demonstrate proper lab safety techniques, and biohazard and chemical handling.
5. Describe and demonstrate standard quality assurance procedures in the histological laboratory.
6. State how quality control (QC) is monitored for the different procedures and instrumentation in the laboratory, how QC performance records are evaluated, and the proper corrective actions to be taken if QC values are outside established limits.
7. Recognize factors that affect procedures and results and take appropriate actions within predetermined limits.
8. Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on laboratory equipment within predetermined limits.
9. Identify the components, function, and maintenance of a light microscope.
10. Describe a three-dimensional component (object) from a two-dimensional image seen under the microscope.
11. Identify tissue specimens both grossly and microscopically
12. Identify specific cells and tissues, as well as recognize selected common histological stains.
13. Relate the microanatomy and gross anatomical morphology of cells, tissues, and organ systems studied to their functions.
14. Demonstrate proper histological preservation and fixation methods for tissue specimens received for examination and diagnosis.
15. Process, embed, section and stain paraffin embedded tissue.
16. Freeze, section, and stain tissue specimens for rapid diagnosis or special component preservation as an alternative to paraffin techniques.
17. Describe the physical and chemical basis for staining histological specimens.
18. Describe procedures in specialty areas such as immunnohistochemical staining, in situ hybridization techniques, electron microscopy and cytotechnology.
19. Apply theoretical concepts to practical applications as they relate to histology

Program supervised by:

Rachael Hagerman, Chairperson
Office:  Decker Health Science Center, Room 217
Telephone:  607 778-5495
Email: hagermanrm@sunybroome.edu