Histology
The Histologic Technician’s role in the healthcare profession is to assist the pathologist in the diagnosis of disease by preparing microscopic slides of tissues from surgery and autopsy. Tissues are grossed, dissected, submitted in processing cassettes, undergo fixation, dehydration, clearing, paraffin infiltration, paraffin embedding and microtomy. Once the tissues are sectioned on a microtome and placed on microscopic slides they are stained with dyes and stains to make different tissue entities prominent. Histologic Technicians may also prepare frozen sections to prepare tissues for a rapid diagnosis while the patient is still under anesthesia in surgery. Other responsibilities may include assisting with grossing, performing special stains, assisting with autopsies. Histologic Technicians are employed in hospitals, private laboratories, research, industry, and veterinary pathology.
The HST program consists of basic general education courses, HST major courses taught online, on campus attendance for student labs, and clinical experiences in one of several hospitals and reference laboratories across the state and in the Birmingham, AL area. This is a two-step admission process.
Step 1: students must first apply for admission to the college during any semester and register for general education requirements and prerequisites for the HST Program. Official transcripts must be sent to enrollment services for transfer evaluation.
Step 2: Submit the HST Program application by the deadlines listed on the application. July 1 for Fall admission.
The application can be downloaded from this website and emailed to [email protected]. Admission to the professional sequence requires a grade of ‘C’ or higher on the required general education courses that include Math 100, English 101, and Biology 201. Other general education classes can be taken during the first fall semester. Students must also have an overall ‘C’ (2.5 GPA) or higher on all general education requirements.
Successful completion of the program leads to an associate in applied science degree & eligibility for national HT certification the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
Histologic-Technician Career Outlook
