Health and Public Services
HISTOTECHNOLOGY
ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE
This curriculum provides individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare tissue specimens for microscopic examination using various stains and dyes to identify tissue and cell structures.
Course work emphasizes scientific concepts related to laboratory procedures, quality assessment, histology, microscopy, and other related topics.
The ideal student has:
- A natural aptitude for science
- The ability to be accurate, reliable, and work well under pressure
- Good communication skills
- An interest in helping people through the disease diagnosis process
Our curriculum prepares students to use biology and chemistry knowledge and technical skills to help prepare tissue samples for examination under a microscope.
Purpose Statement:
The following technical standards represent the essential nonacademic requirements
of the Histotechnology (HTO) Program that a student must master to successfully participate
in the program and become employable. In adopting these standards the HTO Program
is mindful of the patient’s right to safe and quality health care by students. The
HTO student must be able to apply the knowledge and skills necessary to function in
a broad variety of clinical situations while providing the spectrum of medical laboratory
interventions. These standards do reflect what may be required for employment of the
graduate. To verify the students’ ability to perform these essential functions, students
may be required to demonstrate the technical standards/essential functions below.
Meeting these technical standards does not guarantee employment in this field upon graduation. Ability to meet the program’s technical standards does not guarantee a student’s eligibility for any licensure, certification exam, or successful completion of the program.
Technical Standards |
Definition of Standards |
Examples |
| Critical Thinking/Problem-Solving Skills | Ability to measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize, integrate and apply information. |
Read and comprehend relevant information in textbooks and professional literature. Identify problems related to laboratory results and determine appropriate course of action. Apply standard precautions. Recognize errors and alter performance as needed. Problem-solve unexpected observations or outcomes of laboratory procedures. Prioritize based on the needs of the patient and/or situation. Maintain alertness and concentration during a normal work period. Determine when to seek supervisory help in a clinical setting. Actively participate in all classroom and laboratory exercises including demonstrations, lecture, student laboratory and clinical practicums. |
| Interpersonal Skills | Ability to collaboratively work with all HTO students and program faculty in the classroom and student lab and with clinical staff and patients in the clinical setting. | Establish rapport with patients/clients and colleagues. Interact appropriately with persons from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds Employ basic conflict management skills. Work independently and with others as directed under time constraints. |
| Communication Skills | Demonstrate effective written and oral communication or alternate method in the primary language of the institution and clinical site. This includes, but is not limited to, reading, following instructions, electronic and other forms of communication. |
Writing: the ability to communicate effectively in legible written form
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| Mobility/Motor Skills | Possess manual dexterity and fine motor skills to perform safe and effective clinical laboratory procedures. | Ability to manipulate small objects with fingertips or adaptive devices and use electronic keyboard. Bilateral use of hands or terminal devices that involves coordination and strength. Ability to maneuver in the laboratory, around instruments, in confined spaces and |
| Sensory Abilities | Sufficient sensory ability to function in a clinical laboratory setting. |
Visual: the ability to distinguish red color from yellow color; distinguish clear from cloudy; and see through a microscope. Must be able to discern viscosity, primary colors and/or shades thereof; and differentiate shapes macroscopically and microscopically.
Somatic: the ability to palpate veins to make determinations in venipuncture, sense temperature changes and vibrations. |
| Behavioral/Emotional Stability | Demonstrate professional behaviors and strong work ethic. | Demonstrate the ability to work independently maintaining composure and competence under stressful situations. Demonstrate emotional health conducive to application of intellect and sound judgment. Accept constructive criticism & respond by appropriate modifications. Examine and correct personal behavior when it interferes with productive individual or team relationships. Accept responsibility for own actions as an emotionally mature individual. Demonstrate respect for patients and healthcare team members. Present professional appearance. Recognize emergency situations. Demonstrate the ability to follow directions/procedures with accuracy and precision. Practice discretion and confidentiality. |
| Ethical Standards | Demonstrate professional/medical ethics. | Demonstrate honesty and integrity. Be willing to admit to mistakes and take responsibility for one’s own actions. Perform in an ethical manner in dealing with peers, faculty, staff and patients. Adhere to HIPAA regulations. |
Alamance Community College is committed to providing equal educational opportunities for students with documented disabilities. Students who require accessibility services or reasonable accommodations must identify themselves as having a disability and provide current diagnostic documentation to the Accessibility Services Office located in the Main Building, Room 233. All information is confidential. Please contact the Accessibility Services Coordinator for more information at 336-506-4130 or email at accessibilityservices@alamancecc.edu and notify your course instructor of your special needs, as appropriate. Students should initiate this process as soon as possible (prior to the start of classes and/or field experience).
Graduate Employment within Six Months
2020-2021: 100%
2021-2022: 100%
2022-2023: 100%
2020-2023 Average: 100%
ASCP BOC Pass Rate
2020-2021: 33%
2021-2022: 71%
2022-2023: 100%
2020-2023 Average: 68%
Graduation Rate
2020-2021: 86%
2021-2022: 88%
2022-2023: 88%
2020-2023 Average: 87%
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Histotechnology Estimated Costs and Fees |
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Student Activity Fee |
$35.00 |
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Curriculum Instructional Technology Fee |
$27.00 |
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College Access, Parking & Security (CAPS) Fee |
$18.00 |
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Student Accident Insurance |
$1.00 |
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Books |
$750.00 |
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Criminal background check, drug screen, physical exam, immunizations, titers, TB testing, scrubs, clinical site fees (e.g. Parking, On-boarding systems, etc.) |
$500.00 |
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Malpractice Insurance |
$80.00 |
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HT $225, HTL $250 |
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*Does not include cost of tuition. Tuition will vary from semester to semester depending on the number of credit hours taken. |
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Have you applied for Financial aid? Please visit Financial Aid for instructions |
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Questions? Contact Us.
Federico Lin, HTL(ASCP)CM
Histotechnology Program Director/Lead Instructor
federico.lin@alamancecc.edu
336-506-4348
Why Wait?YOU BELONG HERE |