About the Program

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What the Histotechnology Program Offers

Histotechnology, part of UMMC's School of Health Related Professions, offers a bachelor of science in histotechnology (BSHTL) across five semesters of academic and clinical education for students interested in the science of histotechnology. Students in the BSHTL program learn standardized laboratory skills and methods such as tissue fixation, processing, embedding, sectioning and staining.

Degree

Degree candidates must complete the prescribed curriculum with an overall cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or better on a 4.00 scale on all work at UMMC. Due to the variability of available clinical sites, curriculum completion may be extended beyond the minimum of 22 months.

Following satisfactory completion of all requirements, students will be awarded the bachelor of science in histotechnology (BSHTL) degree from the University of Mississippi and are eligible to apply to take the national certification examination to become certified as a histotechnologist. Licensure requirements vary by state, and some states may require licensure in order practice. 

Be advised that a misdemeanor or felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the certification examination or attain state license.

Entry Level Competencies

The Histotechnology program builds upon certain competency statements and guidelines as outlined by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). The following competencies are provided in didactic courses and expanded upon during clinical rotation experience. Histotechnology students are assessed by quizzes, examinations, review questions, competency lists, and case studies.

Upon successful completion of the School of Health Related Professions Histotechnology program at UMMC, a student will possess the following entry level competencies:

  • receiving and accessioning tissue specimens;
  • preparing tissue specimens for microscopic examinations, including all routine procedures;
  • performing more complex procedures for processing and staining tissues, including enzymes, and immunohistochemistry;
  • assisting with and/or performing gross examination and frozen section procedures in histopathology as well as cytology specimen preparation methods;
  • identifying tissue structures, cell components, and their staining characteristics, and relating them to physiological functions;
  • recognizing factors that affect procedures and results, and taking appropriate action within predetermined limits when corrections are indicated;
  • developing, testing, implementing, evaluating, and selecting new techniques, procedures, instruments and methods in terms of their usefulness and practicality within the context of a given laboratory's personnel, equipment, space, and budgetary resources;
  • making decisions concerning the results of quality control and quality assurance measures and instituting proper procedures to maintain accuracy and precision;
  • confirming abnormal results, verifying quality control procedures, executing quality control procedures, and developing solutions to problems concerning the generation of laboratory data;
  • establishing and performing preventative and corrective maintenance of equipment or instruments, as well as identifying appropriate sources for repair;
  • exercising and applying principles of safety, management and supervision;
  • demonstrating professional conduct and interpersonal communication skills with patients, laboratory personnel, other health care professionals, and with the public;
  • recognizing and acting upon individual needs for continuing education as a function of growth and maintenance of professional competence;
  • recognizing the responsibilities of other laboratory and healthcare professionals and interacting with them with respect for their jobs and patient care;
  • leading supportive personnel and peers in their acquisition of knowledge, skills and attitudes; and providing leadership in educating other health personnel and the community;
  • applying principles of education methodology;
  • applying principles of current information systems;
  • applying principles of in‐situ hybridization, plastic, and electron

At entry level, graduates will have the following basic knowledge and skills in:

  •  Application of safety and governmental regulations and standards as applied to histotechnology;
  • Principles and practices of professional conduct and the significance of continuing professional development;
  • Communications sufficient to serve the needs of patients, the public and members of the health care team;
  • Principles and practices of administration, supervision, and safety as applied to histotechnology;
  • Education techniques and terminology sufficient to train/educate users and providers of laboratory