Jobs / Healthcare / 29-2011.04
Histotechnologists
Apply knowledge of health and disease causes to evaluate new laboratory techniques and procedures to examine tissue samples. Process and prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May solve technical or instrument problems or assist with research studies.
- US jobs
- Not reported by BLS
- Job family
- Healthcare
Can agents do the work of histotechnologists?
We read the evidence for the whole job family, Healthcare: Some tasks (no change in 12 months)
Agents complete 20% or more of the tasks (or projects) on a direct benchmark.
Evidence: MedAgentBench, 69.7% of tasks completed.
0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark (figures for the SOC 29-2011 group).
- 18%Analyze biological or chemical substances or related dataNot measured
- 17%Prepare specimens or materials for testingNot measured
- 8%Confer with healthcare or other professionals about patient careNot measured
- 6%Determine operational methods or proceduresNot measured
- 5%Maintain medical equipment or instrumentsNot measured
- 5%Collect environmental or biological samplesNot measured
- 5%Supervise personnel activitiesNot measured
- 5%Administer diagnostic tests to assess patient healthNot measured
Benchmarks for the job family
These cover work in healthcare, not always this occupation's tasks.
Direct evidence
Work benchmarks mapped primary to this family. They set the step when they report how many tasks agents complete.
Also relevant
These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.
Context only
These benchmarks span many occupations, or they test how agents behave. They give context but do not set the step.
Typical tasks
From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.
- Embed tissue specimens into paraffin wax blocks, or infiltrate tissue specimens with wax.
- Cut sections of body tissues for microscopic examination, using microtomes.
- Stain tissue specimens with dyes or other chemicals to make cell details visible under microscopes.
- Compile materials for distribution to pathologists, such as surgical working drafts, requisitions, and slides.
- Compile and maintain records of preventive maintenance and instrument performance checks according to schedule and regulations.
- Perform tests by following physician instructions.
- Operate computerized laboratory equipment to dehydrate, decalcify, or microincinerate tissue samples.
- Prepare substances, such as reagents and dilution, and stains for histological specimens according to protocols.
- Resolve problems with laboratory equipment and instruments, such as microscopes, mass spectrometers, microtomes, immunostainers, tissue processors, embedding centers, and water baths.
- Examine slides under microscopes to ensure tissue preparation meets laboratory requirements.
- Prepare or use prepared tissue specimens for teaching, research or diagnostic purposes.
- Perform procedures associated with histochemistry to prepare specimens for immunofluorescence or microscopy.
Other job titles for this occupation (10)
Clinical Lab Manager (Clinical Laboratory Manager) · Histology Lab Manager (Histology Laboratory Manager) · Histology Specialist · Histology Technologist · Histotechnologist · Grossing Technician (Grossing Tech) · Histocompatibility Technologist · Histologist · Histotechnician · Mohs Technician (Micrographically Oriented Histographic Surgery Technician)