Are you fascinated with the science behind the human body? If preparing biological tissues for diagnosis – an essential process in biology and medicine today – appeals to you, then earning your Histology Technician certification could help prepare you for the career of your dreams.
Histology involves studying the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues of living things. Histology technicians, or Histotechnicians, examine thin sections of tissue under light microscopes and electron microscopes. In a medical lab setting, for example, a Histotechnician might assess body tissue samples for disease. They will search to find if disease is present, if it has spread, and, in congruence with a doctor, if treatment is necessary.
According to Salary.com, Histotechnicians in Connecticut earn an average annual salary of over $63,000. It’s also a fast-growing field in which you could enjoy a long and successful career. The question is, where do you begin? How do you become a successful Histology Technician, and how do you earn your Histotechnician certification in Connecticut? Read on to learn which next steps should be on your to-do.
Start with a Histology Education
As you set out to become a Histotechnician, as is the case for many jobs in the healthcare industry, you must first get yourself an education. In the least, aspiring Histotechnicians must complete math and science courses in high school. Beyond that, there are two paths to choose between: Earning your associate degree in histology or earning a Histologic Science certificate from an accredited program.
According to the National Society for Histotechnology, you will need clinical education to land a job, obtained either via a histotechnician (HT) program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), or an associate degree program at a reputable college.
At a career-focused school like Goodwin, you can earn your histology degree while simultaneously earning your certificate in Histology. And after successfully completing the program, you will be awarded both the certificate in Histologic Science and the associate degree in Histology. The certificate program at Goodwin College is accredited by NAACLS.
Of course, you may be looking to join the workforce fast. In that case, you may choose not to complete an associate degree. With a histology certificate from Goodwin College, rest assured you will leave prepared to pursue entry-level histotechnician positions in hospital, private, pharmaceutical, research, and state laboratories. Graduates of Goodwin’s certification program are eligible to take the national examination offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), which will enable you to become a Certfied Histotechnician (HT).
Get Trained in the Field
In addition to getting a valuable education, aspiring histotechnicians require hands-on training and experience in the field. In the Histologic Science programs at Goodwin College, for example, students gain hands-on experience in our student lab:
- Studying the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues
- Detecting tissue abnormalities
- Learning the appropriate testing for tissue samples to ensure proper diagnoses
Earn Your Histology Technician Certification
While licensure is not required in Connecticut, healthcare employers do seek it out. Histotechnician certification demonstrates your competence and capabilities in the field, your ability to provide quality care, and your commitment to the job. Once you are educated and trained, you will be eligible to take the certification exam from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Those who pass the exam for histologic technicians will be granted certification, and may use the initials HT (ASCP) after their name to showcase proficiency in their profession.
In addition to being eligible for your histotechnician certification, there are an array of other outcomes from a quality Histology program. Upon completing a program like the ones offered at Goodwin, for example, you will be able to:
- Receive and access tissue specimens
- Prepare these tissue specimens for microscopic examinations, including all routine procedures
- Assist with gross examination and frozen section procedures in histopathology
- Identify tissue structures and their staining characteristics
- Perform preventative and corrective maintenance of equipment and instruments
- Exercise principles of leadership, management, safety, and supervision
Get a jumpstart on your career in the Histology field by starting a program and pursing your certification today. Learn about the Histotechnician programs at Goodwin College by calling 800-889-3282, or visit us online to find out why we’re a leader in healthcare education in Connecticut!
Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.