The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center School of Health Sciences has designed a program to prepare the student for a challenging and exciting career as a histologic technician.

This one-year program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

A Career as a Histologic Technician

As a specialty in the field of medical laboratory sciences, histotechnology involves the application of theoretical knowledge and practical techniques to the preparation of tissue samples for microscopic examination by pathologists.

Professional Workplace & Objectives

This rapidly growing specialty offers a variety of opportunities including advanced training and application in electron microscopy, histochemistry and flow cytometry. While most histologic technicians work in hospital or private histotechnology laboratories, some opt to join:

• Research laboratories
• Veterinary medicine laboratories
• Medical schools
• Industry
• Government agencies

Histologic technicians with administrative and teaching skills serve in management, supervision and education. Those interested in computer technology can apply their laboratory knowledge in the development and management of laboratory information systems.

Please see the Health Sciences Student Catalog for a review of the objectives of the M. D. Anderson Program in Histotechnology. The review includes with a description of the professional workplace.

Salary

According to the salary survey conducted by the Department of Academic Affairs at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, the average starting salary for a staff histologic technician is $28,000 to $42,000. The salary for a senior histologic technician ranges from $32,000 to $48,000.

Description of the Histotechnology Program

The Program in Histotechnology conforms to the standards published and monitored by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) in order to qualify the student for examination and certification by the Board of Registry of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Note: Pages will open in a new browser window.

Curriculum & Board of Registry Certification

The curriculum includes the following topics:

• Histotechniques Practicum I, II, and III
• Theory and Practice of Histotechniques
• Applied Chemistry I and II
• Theory of Special Staining I and II
• Immunohistochemistry
• Medical Terminology I and II
• Human Histology I, II, and III

Please see the Health Sciences Student Catalog for more information about Board of Registry Certification and curriculum and course descriptions.

Why M. D. Anderson?

In a recent nationwide survey published in U.S. News and World Report, M. D. Anderson was named number one in the nation in cancer care. One of the models for federally designated comprehensive cancer centers, this 514-bed hospital is internationally recognized for its exceptional strength in patient care, research, and educational programs.

M. D. Anderson's mission includes the diagnosis, treatment and research of neoplastic disease. Therefore, the quantity of tissue examined and the quality of preparation required provide an unlimited resource for the education of histologic technicians.

The Program in Histotechnology is housed in the Department of Pathology and has been providing instruction in histologic techniques since 1949. Modern technological instrumentation, workspace, libraries and computers all facilitate the transmission of skills and knowledge.

The Histotechnology Faculty Team

M. D. Anderson's reputation attracts experts in all fields to the institution; therefore, the faculty members possess an unparalleled level of knowledge and technical expertise.

One of the strongest resources of the Histotechnology Program, our faculty team combines enthusiasm for education with the practice of histologic techniques. All faculty members offer experience in research and teaching in addition to their technical and administrative abilities.

As supervisors of the laboratories through which students rotate, faculty members evaluate each student's progress. Enough personnel are scheduled for each diagnostic area to allow faculty ample time with students without affecting patient care.

The histologic technicians who train the students are well experienced in the field and are encouraged to attend appropriate workshops and seminars to enhance their techniques and teaching skills.

Directors

The Program in Histotechnology is directed by:

Roster of Faculty

A current roster of Histotechnology faculty is published in the Health Sciences Student Catalog.

Admission & Application

Resources

Histotechnology

Visit the sites below for more information about a career in histotechnology.

• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) (http://www.ascp.org/index.asp)
• National Society for Histotechnology (NSH) (http://www.nsh.org/)
• Texas Society for Histotechnology (TSH) (http://www.txsh.org/)

Houston

Visit the sites below for more information about the Houston area.

• City of Houston (http://www.cityofhouston.gov/)
• Welcome to Houston (http://www.houston-guide.com/)
• About Houston (http://www.uh.edu/houston/)
• Houston Chronicle (http://www.chron.com/)

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