Medicine
Undergraduate Programs
Student Learning Outcomes
Histotechnology, Certificate and A.S.
Mission
To provide quality education using distance learning technology in preparing individuals for certification in Histotechnology. To meet the healthcare manpower needs in both urban and rural settings nation-wide.
Program Goals
The Program's goals have been developed within the mission of the Health Professions Programs in the School of Medicine. In an effort to provide theoretical background and the development of a high degree of occupational competence, the Program has established the following goals:
- To provide students with the educational experiences necessary to enter a career as a Histologic Technician, including entry‐level competence and eligibility for the ASCP Board of Certification Histotechnician exam.
- To provide the national health care community with individuals who are competent to conduct high quality histologic procedures.
- To provide a curriculum containing a balance between technical knowledge and clinical competence gained in the histology laboratory setting.
- To assist the students in reaching their goals by providing academic and occupational advisement.
- To instill in students a lifelong desire to achieve professional and academic excellence.
Upon successful completion of all standard academic requirements established for this program, the graduate is entitled to receive a Certificate or Associate Degree in Histotechnology from Indiana University. By virtue of the standards required by this program, the graduate is eligible to take the Histotechnician (HT) or Histotechnologist (HTL) certification examination administered by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists' Board of Certification. The didactic and practical experience provided by the course of instruction should enable the graduate to accomplish the following objectives:
Histotechnology Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of all standard academic requirements established for this program, the graduate is entitled to receive a Certificate in Histotechnology and/ or an Associate of Science in Histotechnology degree from Indiana University. By virtue of the standards required by this program, the graduate is eligible to take the Histotechnician or Histotechnologist Certification Examination administered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology’s Board of Certification. The didactic and practical experience provided by the course of instruction should enable the graduate to accomplish the following objectives:
Technical Skill
- Perform procedures of basic histologic laboratory techniques, instrumentation and problem solving at the HT entry-level competency.
- Demonstrate knowledge of general and specific histologic methodology.
- Perform procedures with accuracy and precision.
- Monitor internal and external quality assurance measures.
- Demonstrate knowledge of operational principles of commonly used laboratory instruments to include the ability to perform daily preventative maintenance and correct simple malfunctions.
- Exercise independent judgment regarding choice of procedure and evaluation of results.
- Organize tasks to cope with volume of work and unexpected demands.
Communication
- Communicate effectively with Clinical Liaison and Program Director regarding curriculum and training courses.
- Effectively organize and present information both in written assignments and oral communication.
- Communicate effectively with other laboratory and health care providers.
Professional Behavior
- Display an attitude reflecting pride and professionalism in daily laboratory duties.
- Demonstrate adaptability, integrity, initiative, neatness, maturity, stability and a desire for excellence.
NAACLS Competencies
At career entry, the histotechnician will be able to perform routine histologic procedures such as:
- Receiving and accessioning tissue specimens.
- Preparing tissue specimens for microscopic examinations, including all routine procedures.
- Assisting with gross examination and frozen section procedures in histopathology.
- Identifying tissue structures and their staining characteristics.
- Performing preventive and corrective maintenance of equipment and instruments or referring to appropriate sources for repairs.
- Recognizing factors that affect procedures and results and taking appropriate action within predetermined limits when corrections are indicated.
- Performing and monitoring quality control within predetermined limits.
- Applying principles of safety.
- Demonstrating professional conduct and interpersonal communication skills with patients, laboratory personnel, other health care professionals, and with the public.
- Recognizing the responsibilities of other laboratory and healthcare professionals and interacting with them with respect for their jobs and patient care.
- Recognizing and acting upon individual needs for continuing education as a function of growth and maintenance of professional competence; and,
- Exercising principles of management, safety, and supervision, as the primary analyst making specimen-oriented decisions on predetermined criteria, including a working knowledge of criteria values. Communications skills will extend to frequent interactions with members of the healthcare team, external relations, customer service, and patient education. The levels of analysis range from routine tissue processing to complex histopathology laboratory procedures in the various major areas of anatomic pathology. The Histotechnician will have diverse functions in areas of pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic processes. The Histotechnician will have responsibilities for information processing, training, and quality control monitoring wherever histologic procedures are performed.
From “NAACLS Standards for Accredited and Approved Programs”, National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
Updated: March 2024
