Histologist
Definition
A histologist, or histotechnician, is a laboratory professional who prepares tissue samples for examination under a microscope by cutting thin sections, mounting them on slides and applying stains. Pathologists use these slides to diagnose disease. Histologists work in hospital, reference and pathology labs, often with certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology.
Histologists cut tissue into very thin sections and apply stains that make cells and structures visible under a microscope. Their slides are what pathologists read to diagnose disease, so slide quality directly affects diagnosis.
What does a histologist do?
- Process tissue from surgeries and biopsies so it can be cut
- Cut thin sections and mount them on slides
- Apply routine and special stains to show cells and structures
- Prepare frozen sections quickly while a patient is still in surgery
- Keep instruments, samples and records in order for quality control
Where do histologists work?
- Hospital pathology labs
- Independent reference laboratories
- Public health laboratories
- Universities and research institutions
- Forensic laboratories
- Pharmaceutical and device companies, for research and product testing
How do histologists help diagnose disease?
By choosing the right cutting and staining methods, histologists give pathologists slides that show exactly what they need to see. Good preparation is essential to detecting cancers, infections and many other diseases.
What histology means for teams selling into healthcare
Histology labs buy equipment such as microtomes, stainers and slide scanners, lab information systems and digital pathology software, and they hire histotechnicians and histotechnologists. Decisions usually involve the lab director, the pathology medical director and the histology supervisor, so reach all three at each lab site.