u/SpicyGurpreet

Hi there,

I saw some videos about machines that auto embed and auto cut and mount the sections onto microscope slides.

I’m a student right now and am kinda scared for the future in regard to this.

My tldr take is that the tissues are too unique in size, shape, and thickness for automation. Even detecting how fat or calcified the tissue is which makes microtomy unique to different tissues.

What do you experienced Histotechnicians think? Sorry I overthink and my supervisor gets me scared of the future lol..

Hi,

I graduate from my program August 7 and I am learning about special stains and IHC in the last half of my semester.

I live in Philadelphia and was wondering what pay I should be trying to get and what’s reasonable. (Personally wanting to see if 30-32 an hour is reasonable as a previous Histotech who worked at CHOP -children’s hospital of Philly said that’s what I should get but I’m also cool with starting 29$)

Education:
-I will be ASCP eligible I’m going HT then pursue HTL not too far later just want something immediate
- i do have a bachelors and I will have my NAACLs accreditation.

Experience:
As of now I have been cutting patient blocks for a couple months (4 out of the 8 months of my program), I x ray blocks with a faxatron (I think is the name), change the stainer daily, accessioned specimens, and embedded specimens.

Lab - this is a small lab and I get to really get experience everywhere but know for my wage I will need to go for medium to large so how do I stack up to that?

A random note, my speed is still being worked on but I have faced and cut difficult blocks and got exceptional sections (spoken from my supervisor/teacher) and my cutting is above average. I don’t know if this means much but she also made me print out her email thread from her and my professor stating my skill in cutting blocks. She said to show that in interviews. What’s your thoughts?

What’re some thoughts on why this may or may not be achievable? What does the field look like right now for beginners and how I might compare? From working in a small lab how’s that transition to a large? I’m going to be applying soon so that I have something lined up as I leave school cause rent needs to be paid lol.

Thank you for all your help. You’re all very positive here and give honest feedback. Awesome community!