# Histotechnologists

> Apply knowledge of health and disease causes to evaluate new laboratory techniques and procedures to examine tissue samples. Process and prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May solve technical or instrument problems or assist with research studies.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 29-2011.04
- **Summary:** Apply knowledge of health and disease causes to evaluate new laboratory techniques and procedures to examine tissue samples. Process and prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May solve technical or instrument problems or assist with research studies.

## Aliases

- Histology Lab Manager (Histology Laboratory Manager)
- Histology Specialist
- Histology Technologist
- Histotechnologist
- Clinical Lab Manager (Clinical Laboratory Manager)
- Grossing Technician (Grossing Tech)
- Histocompatibility Technologist
- Histologist
- Histotechnician
- Mohs Technician (Micrographically Oriented Histographic Surgery Technician)

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Embed tissue specimens into paraffin wax blocks, or infiltrate tissue specimens with wax. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.au |
| Cut sections of body tissues for microscopic examination, using microtomes. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.al |
| Stain tissue specimens with dyes or other chemicals to make cell details visible under microscopes. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.au |
| Compile materials for distribution to pathologists, such as surgical working drafts, requisitions, and slides. | Core | 4.A.4.c.3.c |
| Compile and maintain records of preventive maintenance and instrument performance checks according to schedule and regulations. | Core | 4.A.3.b.6.h |
| Perform tests by following physician instructions. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.a |
| Operate computerized laboratory equipment to dehydrate, decalcify, or microincinerate tissue samples. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.i |
| Prepare substances, such as reagents and dilution, and stains for histological specimens according to protocols. | Core | 4.A.3.a.1.a |
| Resolve problems with laboratory equipment and instruments, such as microscopes, mass spectrometers, microtomes, immunostainers, tissue processors, embedding centers, and water baths. | Core | 4.A.3.b.4.f |
| Examine slides under microscopes to ensure tissue preparation meets laboratory requirements. | Core | 4.A.2.a.4.j |
| Prepare or use prepared tissue specimens for teaching, research or diagnostic purposes. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.au |
| Perform procedures associated with histochemistry to prepare specimens for immunofluorescence or microscopy. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.au |

## Emerging Tasks

| Text |
| --- |
| Cut sections of body tissues for microscopic examination, using microtomes or cryostats. |
| Select and maintain controls for stains. |

## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Maintain repair or maintenance records. | 4.A.3.b.6.h |
| Distribute supplies to workers. | 4.A.4.c.3.c |
| Collect biological specimens from patients. | 4.A.3.a.2.al |
| Prepare biological specimens for laboratory analysis. | 4.A.3.a.2.au |
| Analyze laboratory findings. | 4.A.2.a.4.j |
| Analyze laboratory specimens to detect abnormalities or other problems. | 4.A.2.a.4.j |
| Operate laboratory equipment to analyze medical samples. | 4.A.3.a.3.i |
| Test biological specimens to gather information about patient conditions. | 4.A.1.b.2.a |
| Prepare medications or medical solutions. | 4.A.3.a.1.a |
| Maintain medical laboratory equipment. | 4.A.3.b.4.f |
| Supervise technical medical personnel. | 4.A.4.b.4.a |
| Train medical providers. | 4.A.4.b.3.f |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Near Vision | ability | 4 |
| Biology | knowledge | 3.95 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 3.75 |
| Production and Processing | knowledge | 3.52 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 3.5 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 3.5 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | ability | 3.5 |
| Chemistry | knowledge | 3.48 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 3.38 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3.38 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 3.38 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 3.38 |
| Written Expression | ability | 3.38 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3.38 |
| Customer and Personal Service | knowledge | 3.35 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Active Learning | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Complex Problem Solving | transferable_skill | 3.25 |
| Operations Monitoring | transferable_skill | 3.25 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 3.25 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3.25 |
| Selective Attention | ability | 3.25 |
| English Language | knowledge | 3.24 |
| Writing | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Time Management | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 3.12 |
| Category Flexibility | ability | 3.12 |
| Finger Dexterity | ability | 3.12 |
| Far Vision | ability | 3.12 |
| Visual Color Discrimination | ability | 3.12 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 3.12 |
| Speech Clarity | ability | 3.12 |
| Administrative | knowledge | 3.05 |
| Science | essential_skill | 3 |
| Coordination | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Education and Training | knowledge | 3 |
| Flexibility of Closure | ability | 3 |
| Control Precision | ability | 3 |
| Mathematics | knowledge | 2.95 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Word | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Outlook | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Access | Specialized Skill |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Medical Software | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| MEDITECH software | Medical software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Access | Data base user interface and query software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Outlook | Electronic mail software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | yes | no |
| Brady Specimen Labeling System | Label making software | no | no |
| Cerner Millennium | Medical software | no | no |
| Laboratory information system LIS | Medical software | no | no |
| Specimen labeling system software | Label making software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 5 |
| Time Pressure | 4.86 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 4.81 |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 4.81 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 4.71 |
| E-Mail | 4.67 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | 4.67 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 4.52 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 4.45 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.43 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 4.38 |
| Telephone Conversations | 4.29 |
| Consequence of Error | 4.14 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 3.9 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 3.81 |
| Contact With Others | 3.76 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 3.71 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 3.71 |
| Exposed to Disease or Infections | 3.67 |
| Spend Time Sitting | 3.67 |
| Physical Proximity | 3.62 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 3.57 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 3.29 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | 3.19 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 3.14 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 3.1 |
| Degree of Automation | 2.81 |
| Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment | 2.8 |
| Conflict Situations | 2.76 |
| Spend Time Standing | 2.7 |
| Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings | 2.67 |
| Written Letters and Memos | 2.62 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 2.52 |
| Level of Competition | 2.43 |
| Deal With External Customers or the Public in General | 2.38 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 2.38 |
| Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body | 2.19 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 2.1 |
| Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection | 2.05 |
| Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | 1.67 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 4
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- **Experience:** A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- **Svp Range:** (7.0 to < 8.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| Bachelor's Degree | 42.86 |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 19.05 |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 14.29 |
| Master's Degree | 9.52 |
| High School Diploma | 4.76 |
| Some College Courses | 4.76 |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 4.76 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 6.56 |
| Life Science | specific_interest_area | 6.06 |
| Medical Science | specific_interest_area | 6.04 |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 5.72 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 5.16 |
| Health Care Service | specific_interest_area | 5.1 |
| Dependability | work_style | 5 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 4 |
| Integrity | work_style | 3 |
| Physical Science | specific_interest_area | 2.94 |
| Social | career_interest_type | 2.89 |
| Mechanics/Electronics | specific_interest_area | 2.79 |
| Cautiousness | work_style | 2.39 |
| Teaching/Education | specific_interest_area | 2.15 |
| Intellectual Curiosity | work_style | 2.01 |
| Physical/Manual Labor | specific_interest_area | 1.9 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 29-2012.01 | role-29-2012-01 | Histology Technicians | Primary-Short |
| 29-2012.00 | role-29-2012-00 | Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians | Primary-Short |
| 29-2011.00 | role-29-2011-00 | Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists | Primary-Short |
| 29-2011.01 | role-29-2011-01 | Cytogenetic Technologists | Primary-Short |
| 29-2011.02 | role-29-2011-02 | Cytotechnologists | Primary-Short |
| 19-1022.00 | role-19-1022-00 | Microbiologists | Primary-Long |
| 31-9097.00 | role-31-9097-00 | Phlebotomists | Primary-Long |
| 29-2031.00 | role-29-2031-00 | Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | Primary-Long |
| 19-4021.00 | role-19-4021-00 | Biological Technicians | Primary-Long |
| 29-2099.01 | role-29-2099-01 | Neurodiagnostic Technologists | Primary-Long |
| 29-1222.00 | role-29-1222-00 | Physicians, Pathologists | Supplemental |
| 29-2055.00 | role-29-2055-00 | Surgical Technologists | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters


## Study Programs

| Title | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences | biological-and-biomedical-sciences |
| Health Professions and Related Programs | health-professions-and-related-programs |

## Market


## Industries


### Top


### Concentrated


## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.9 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | 0.2818067 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | 0.9026269 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | -0.042349 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 48
- **Percentile:** 47
- **Band:** Moderate
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 56 | felten_aioe |
| 40 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
- **Component Count:** 2

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | 0.2818067 | 56 | Moderate | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.4375 | 40 | Moderate | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.9
- **Percentile:** 78
- **Band:** High
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** no

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0.125
- **Beta:** 0.28125
- **Gamma:** 0.4375

### Usage Tasks

| Task | Usage Percent | Importance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Teach students or other staff. | 0.007805791897588011 | 3.67 |
| Identify tissue structures or cell components to be used in the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of diseases. | 0.005443512770686376 | 3.88 |
| Prepare or use prepared tissue specimens for teaching, research or diagnostic purposes. | 0.003697480372541689 | 4.1 |
- **Usage Release:** 2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 16
- **Skills:** 36
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 10
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** d9e56dd1b6f17eb1