About This Career

Applies knowledge of health and disease causes to evaluate new laboratory techniques and procedures to examine tissue samples. Processes and prepares histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May solve technical or instrument problems or assist with research studies.

This career is part of the Health Science cluster Diagnostic Services pathway.

A person in this career:

• Embeds tissue specimens into paraffin wax blocks, or infiltrates tissue specimens with wax.
• Cuts sections of body tissues for microscopic examination, using microtomes or cryostats.
• Compiles and maintains records of preventive maintenance and instrument performance checks according to schedule and regulations.
• Compiles materials for distribution to pathologists, such as surgical working drafts, requisitions, and slides.
• Compiles and maintains records of preventive maintenance and instrument performance checks according to schedule and regulations.
• Performs tests by following physician instructions.
• Operates computerized laboratory equipment to dehydrate, decalcify, or microincinerate tissue samples.
• Prepares substances, such as reagents and dilution, and stains for histological specimens according to protocols.
• Resolves problems with laboratory equipment and instruments, such as microscopes, mass spectrometers, microtomes, immunostainers, tissue processors, embedding centers, and water baths.
• Examines slides under microscopes to ensure tissue preparation meets laboratory requirements.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would sit most of the time. There's some walking and standing. You may have to lift and carry things like books, papers or tools weighing 10 lbs. or less.
• Work in this occupation involves use of protective items such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, a hard hat, or personal flotation devices
• Exposure to pollutants, gases, dust, fumes, odors, poor ventilation, etc.
• Exposed to disease and infections more than once a month through work such as patient care, laboratory work, and sanitation control
• Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time
• Exposed to conditions such as high voltage electricity, combustibles, explosives, and chemicals more than once a month
• Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
• Work in this occupation involves making repetitive motions more than one-third of the time
• Work in this occupation involves sitting more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Identifying color and seeing differences in color, including shades and brightness
• Seeing clearly at a distance
• Seeing clearly up close
• Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
• Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

• Regular working hours and limited travel