Medical Histology Technician - Associate of Applied Technology Degree / Associate in Applied Science – T Degree
Trains students to prepare thin sections of human tissue for microscopic examination.
Prepares students for entry-level employment as medical histology technicians in clinical, veterinary, and research laboratories. This program also serves as a pathway for career advancement in specialized areas in the medical histotechnology profession.
The Medical Histology Technician program stresses practical application and the development of job skills, as well as medical histotechnology theory.
Designed to enhance students’ abilities to reason, understand, and apply correct principles of medical histotechnology by teaching analytical and critical thinking skills, the Medical Histology Technician program prepares students to sit for the National Board Certification Exam.
New entrants into the field, as well as incumbent workers who have not had the advantage of receiving a strong theoretical foundation, will find this course of study beneficial. Students will be involved in classroom/ lab work for the first three quarters of the program, with the remaining time spent in a clinical rotation.
Students are required to carry personal health/medical insurance throughout their clinical rotations. Quarterly insurance for students may be purchased; further information is available through the Advising and Counseling Office. No student will be allowed at a clinical site without proof of insurance.
May be required to travel to the greater Seattle for summer clinical experience, expenses for commuting and parking is the responsibility of the student.
Granting of degree is not contingent upon the students passing any type of external certification or licensure examination.
Program Accreditation
This program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences:
5600 N. River Road
Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018
773-714-8880
Employability Requirements
Graduates are required to pass a national certification exam prior to employment. Students must pass a background check prior to being allowed to perform clinical rotations. Students are required to maintain immunizations and acquire an American Health Association CPR Health Care Provider card.
Be aware that many histology laboratories function 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is not a 9 am to 5 pm career.
Physical Activity Requirement
Move freely and safely about the laboratory. Reach laboratory bench tops and shelves. Be able to sit and/or stand for long periods of time, up to 6-7 hours. Use electronic keyboard, computer and calculator with ease. Use clinical grade binocular microscope to evaluate tissue section and ultra-structure of the cell. Characterize color and odor. Histology requires vast memorization skills. Lift and move up to 50 lbs. Have full use of hands and fingers with the ability to manipulate small tools. Be able to perform repetitive movements especially hands, fingers, elbows and shoulders. Those who experience prior injury in shoulder and/or back issues should consult their physician. Twisting, leaning and lifting are required. Read and comprehend technical and professional materials, texts, numbers and graphs displayed in print or monitor. Comprehend three dimensional space, specifically peripheral vision. Have adequate breathing ability.
Program Length
This program is approximately four quarters long, depending on the time students need to satisfactorily complete all graduation requirements.
Admission Dates
Fall quarter.
Program Outcomes
• Plan to sit for the national certification exam.
• Explain the national requirements of continuing education to maintain certification.
• Perform a variety of histology skills safely and efficiently.
• Demonstrate effective communication, both verbally and in writing, with coworkers, supervisors, clients, and physicians.
• Demonstrate the medical professional code of conduct.
• Produce industry quality and performance standards in all areas of histology.
• Interpret documentation of a scientific nature related to histology.
• Perform to increase professional standards and quality.
Completion Requirements
Prerequisite(s)
Before starting the program, students must have a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma and complete all the general education courses.
Histology Technicians rely heavily on color appearance. Each student will need to successfully take a color blindness self-test. Please contact your advisor or instructor for details.
In order to participate in the clinical aspect of the program, students must receive a “No Record On File” Report related to crimes against persons on a criminal background check. They must obtain CPR certification and have current immunizations or laboratory verification of immune status, which includes, but is not limited to, Hepatitis B series, Tetanus/Diphtheria, Tuberculosis Test, Measles/Mumps/Rubella, and Varicella, as required by contracts with clinical facilities and CDC recommendations. Proof of immunizations is required by the last day of class in fall quarter, without exception. Students are required to carry personal health/medical insurance throughout their clinical rotations. Quarterly insurance for students may be purchased; further information is available through the Advising and Counseling Office. No student will be allowed at a clinical site without proof of insurance.
Our program advisory committee and area clinical sites have identified the following attributes of a successful Histology student:
Maintain a professional appearance and attitude at all times
Be willing to accept the challenges of the program and dedicate the year to studying, many hours of studying above and beyond program hours is necessary
Recognize and accept the frustration level in learning new skills
Accept constructive criticism and feedback without anger or hostility
Maintain the physical and emotional challenges of the program
Ability to complete the required volunteer hours above and beyond the program hours.
The following prerequisites must be completed with a grade of “B” (3.0) higher prior to entry in the program: CMST& 220, PSYC& 100 OR SOC& 101, MAT 108 or MATH& 146 (see your adviser), CAH 102, CAH 105, COLL 102, ENGL& 101, CHEM& 110, and BIOL& 175.
BIOL&/CHEM& must be completed within the last five years.
Degree Requirements
AAT Requirements
| | Technical Course Requirements | 100 |
| | | |
| | Math for Health Care Professionals | 5 |
| | Or | |
| | Any 100-Level Math Class | 5 |
| | | |
| | General Psychology | 5 |
| COLL 102 | College Success for All | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 113 |
Note: General Psychology or other social science or humanities class
AAS-T Requirements
| | Technical Course Requirements | 100 |
| | Quantitative Reasoning | 5 |
| | Social Science, Humanities, or Science | 5 |
| COLL 102 | College Success for All | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 113 |
General Degree Requirements