HLAB Histological Technician

A health-related work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized occupational theory, skills, and concepts. Direct supervision is provided by the clinical professional.

Introduction to the healthcare environment and the histology laboratory. Includes laboratory safety and infection control; healthcare professionals; medical terminology; basic anatomy and physiology; laboratory mathematics; communication; and ethics, legal, and professional issues.

Introduction to the basic theories and practices of histotechnology. Includes laboratory safety, fixation, tissue processing, embedding, microtomy and cryotomy, and routine staining.

Recognition, composition, and function of cells, cell life cycles, blood, and basic tissue types.

A continuation of Histotechnology I. Introduces both theory and practice of common histochemical staining techniques. Topics include laboratory safety; laboratory mathematics and reagent preparation; basic tissue/dye bonding; differentiation and quality control; and nuclear, connective tissue, and carbohydrate staining techniques.

A continuation of Functional Histology I. Emphasis on the recognition, composition, and function of organ systems. Includes skeletal tissues, central nervous system, circulatory system, endocrine glands, and reproductive system.

A health-related work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized occupational theory, skills, and concepts. Direct supervision is provided by the clinical professional. Emphasis on employment skills, review of ethical and legal behavior, and professional development.

Review of the major theoretical/practical applications in histotechnology. Includes fixation, processing, embedding, microtomy, frozen cryotomy, routine and special stains, tissue identification, immunohistochemistry, enzyme histochemistry, and electron microscopy.

A continuation of Histotechnology II. Further introduces theory and practice of routine histochemical staining techniques. Techniques include microorganisms, tissue pigments and minerals, and neural tissue. Includes specialized techniques such as electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and muscle enzyme histochemistry.