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A career you haven't heard of but can't live without

Inside CCBC's histotechnology program

By CCBC Stories

October 21^st, 2024

Students practicing microtomy (Student Histotechnology Laboratory, CCBC Essex)

Stained and prepared slides for review (Student Histotechnology Laboratory, CCBC Essex)

A career you haven't heard of but can't live without

Histotechnology is a fascinating yet little-known field that plays a crucial role in modern medicine. Histotechnicians are the skilled professionals who prepare human or animal tissue samples for microscopic examination, enabling pathologists to diagnose diseases, from cancer to infections. This crucial work happens behind the scenes, and accurate diagnoses would be nearly impossible without it.

At CCBC, the 18-month Histotechnology program offers a top-notch education that prepares students for this unique, in-demand career. The program is designed to provide hands-on training in both a state-of-the-art lab at CCBC Essex and real-world health care settings, such as Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center. This dual approach not only equips students with technical skills but also gives them the opportunity to work closely with health care professionals, simulating a longer, mutual interview. This experience allows students to experience histotechnology in a real-life setting, while potential employers evaluate their fit for the hospital, clinic or lab.

Histotechnicians with training and certification have a wide range of career opportunities. They can work in hospitals, research laboratories, forensic labs, pharmaceutical companies and veterinary clinics. The demand for skilled histotechnicians is high. CCBC’s program is recognized for its ability to produce graduates who are ready to step into these roles immediately.

“Our program has a 100% job placement rate."

-Candice Grayson, Program Director and Professor of Histotechnology

This career is particularly suited to those who have a keen eye for detail, enjoy problem-solving and prefer working in a lab environment rather than directly with patients. Histotechnicians must be meticulous, patient and capable of working independently, as their work requires precision and a strong focus on quality.

Instructor assists student working at an embedding station (Student Histotechnology Laboratory, CCBC Essex)

Student Histotechnology Laboratory, CCBC Essex

"You help so many people without even talking to one person, which is crazy."

-Sarah Lucas, Histotechnology Program Graduate

Sarah Lucas, a program graduate now working at Johns Hopkins, said she found histotechnology after trying nursing and realizing that, while she wanted to help people, she found lab work to be more appealing. "I’ll cut slides for 20 different patients. You might not feel like you make a difference but you know that you are."

CCBC’s histotechnology program combines top-tier training with affordability. Scholarships, like The Lindsay Ruland Black-eyed Susan Histotechnology Scholarship, further ease financial stress for students, allowing them to focus on their education. With scholarships and CCBC’s reasonable tuition, the program offers an accessible path to a rewarding healthcare career.

Jason Major-Henson, a 2023 program graduate, described the scholarship and financial aid opportunities as “a relief,” allowing him to get an education and begin his career without a mountain of debt. He found immediate employment at Johns Hopkins.

For those who are curious about a career that combines science, precision and a behind-the-scenes critical role in healthcare, histotechnology might just be the perfect fit. CCBC’s program offers a comprehensive pathway to enter this rewarding field, with training that truly prepares students for success. On campus, students work on lab equipment that is exactly what they will be using on the job, easing the transition from student to professional.

"As soon as I started my first student rotation at Hopkins, I was prepared."

-Khaliah Shabazz, Histotechnology Program Graduate

"I was nervous, of course," Shabazz continued. "But when I sat behind the microtome to start cutting, I knew exactly what to do."

Student practicing microtomy (Student Histotechnology Laboratory, CCBC Essex)

While the program is rigorous, the schedule does permit for flexible full- and part-time work. Students held weekend, evening and remote positions outside of their class hours or were even growing their families during the program. Every student has received support at CCBC.

"I can’t say enough good things about all my instructors there," said graduate Sarah Lucas who, in addition to having two children, discovered she was pregnant halfway through the program. "They helped me alter my clinical schedules. The support is amazing. I can’t believe I had a baby through all of this!"

This career is in high-demand and CCBC is working to make the program even more accessible to working adults. An online program will be launched in January 2025.

“The best way to learn about the incredible facilities and programs that we offer at the School of Health Professions is to attend an information session on our CCBC Essex campus,” said dean McNamara. “When potential students see what we have here, the very next thing that they do is enroll.”