Occupational Title: Histotechnician
Liston Campus, Providence only

This program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)

5600 N. River Road., Suite 720

Rosemont, IL, 60018

773-714-8880

info@naacls.org

Histotechnicians are integral members of the healthcare team. It is the job of the histotechnician to prepare sections of human tissue from biopsy or autopsy for microscopic examination by processing and cutting tissues, mounting them on slides and staining them with special dyes for microscopic examination by a pathologist for the diagnosis of disease. Most histotechnicians work in hospital laboratories, medical research laboratories, veterinary pathology and forensic laboratories.

The CCRI Histotechnician program prepares students to enter this challenging and rewarding field and provides them with entry-level knowledge, application and problem-solving skills needed to function as active members of the healthcare team. Graduates of the program are eligible for:

• Employment in a hospital, crime lab, veterinary lab and public health facility.
• Transfer to a bachelor’s degree program.
• Sitting for the national certification examination for HT given by ASCP Board of Certification (BOC).

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Technical standards: The physical activity level for Histotechnician (078.261.030) is classified as “light” by the Department of Labor in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles.

Note: Many courses require prerequisites, corequisites and/or testing. See course descriptions at the back of the catalog for details.

General Policies

See important general policies in the beginning of this section on the performance-based Health Sciences application process, academic progress, advanced placement, background check, CPR certification, health insurance, health records, reinstatement, transportation, uniforms, and equipment.

Minimum Requirements to Apply to the Histotechnician Program

1. CCRI application – Complete and submit a CCRI Application for Enrollment. General Studies should be the first choice; pre-Histotechnician (HSTO) should be the second choice.
2. High school transcript – An official copy of a high school or GED® transcript, including date of graduation, must be provided. If the applicant holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, the high school transcript may be waived; a college transcript must indicate completion and degree awarded.
3. CCRI uses a multiple measures approach to determine admission into Health Science programs (For example: High School and GED® transcripts, SAT, ACT, HESI A2 or ACCUPLACER scores). Placement can also be determined by taking college level English and Math courses. Anyone with a degree from a regionally accredited higher education institution may have this requirement waived following submission of the official college transcript. If using ACCUPLACER, the following guidelines are used:
   • Placement testing – Complete a standardized test (ACCUPLACER) issued by CCRI’s Advising Center. Students may NOT retake the ACCUPLACER test before completing the remedial course/courses. Note: For application purposes, ACCUPLACER testing can be waived for students who provide documentation of a bachelor’s degree or higher. Students are advised that individual departments may still require ACCUPLACER testing as a prerequisite for their courses. 
   • Reading comprehension test must show competency of 90 or above in the Classic ACCUPLACER or a score of 259 or above in the Next Generation ACCUPLACER or students must complete Reading and Study Skills Program (ENGL 1002) with a grade of B- or better. Composition I for Speakers of English as a Second Language (ESL) (ENGL 1300) will not substitute for Composition I (ENGL 1010).
4. Complete courses required for admission with a grade of C or better:
   • Human Biology (BIOL 1070)
   • Survey of Biomedical Chemistry (CHEM 1010) or General Chemistry I (CHEM 1030)
5. GPA – A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better for all college courses taken.
6. Health Sciences application – Complete and submit a performance-based Health Sciences application including a preadmission degree evaluation during the open enrollment period.
   • Important: Submission of a performance-based Health Sciences application does not guarantee acceptance to the program. Acceptance is based on points earned as listed in the program acceptance criteria point system. (See Dean of Health and Rehabilitative Sciences webpage.) At the time of admission, students must meet the current admission requirements. Students declining acceptance into the program for the semester offered must resubmit a performance-based Health Sciences application and meet the current admission requirements. Once accepted, students must attend a mandatory orientation conducted by the Allied and Rehabilitative Health Department.
7. Background check – Students are required to submit a background check when directed by notification from One Stop Student Services.

Program Requirements

• Major requirements must be taken in sequence and are open only to students who are formally accepted into the program.
• Students must be accepted to the program before taking any major requirements.
• Students must complete all courses in this program with a cumulative index of 2.0 to qualify for the Associate in Applied Science degree.
• No grade of less than C is acceptable in any technical course (HSTO). Students receiving less than C will be dismissed from the program.
• Program faculty reserve the right to require withdrawal of any student from the program or to refuse reinstatement based on the student’s academic, clinical or behavioral performance.
• Students are responsible for the purchase of books, uniforms, and transportation prior to clinical assignments.
• Composition I for Speakers of English as a Second Language (ESL) (ENGL 1300) may not be substituted for Composition I (ENGL 1010).

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, a student will be able to:

1. Be skilled in current practice as entry-level histotechnicians.
2. Demonstrate the ability to communicate orally and in writing.
3. Demonstrate the ability to think critically and solve problems in a clinical setting.
4. Act as ethical and responsible members of the healthcare team.

Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Preadmission General Education Requirements
These courses must be taken prior to program admission:
BIOL 1070	Human Biology MSCX; Written Communication; Critical Thinking	3
Choose ONE of the following:		5
CHEM 1010	Survey of Biomedical Chemistry MSCI; Critical Thinking; Scientific Reasoning
CHEM 1030	General Chemistry I MSCI; Scientific Reasoning; Quantitative Literacy
Subtotal		8
General Education Requirements
BIOL 1002	Introductory Biology: Cellular MSCI; Non-Written Communication; Scientific Reasoning	4
COMM 1010	Communication Fundamentals^ HUMN; Non-Written Communication; Social and Professional Responsibilities	3
ENGL 1010	Composition I (or ENGL 1010A) HUMN; Written Communication; Information Literacy	3
Humanities Elective HUMN		3
MATH 1175	Statistics for the Health and Social Sciences (or MATH 1175C) MSCI; Scientific Reasoning; Quantitative Literacy	3
Social Science Elective SSCI		3
Subtotal		19
Major Education Requirements
Students must be accepted into the program before taking any major requirements.
HSTO 1310	Introduction to Histology	3
HSTO 1320	Histotechnology II^	6
HSTO 2310	Histotechnology III^	9
HSTO 2320	Histotechnology IV^	14
HSTO 2330	Histology Seminar	2
Subtotal		34
Total Hours		61

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Work-based learning course

Recommended Course Sequence

Plan of Study Grid

Prerequisites		Hours
BIOL 1070	Human Biology	3
CHEM 1030	General Chemistry I (or CHEM 1010)	5
	Hours	8
Year 1
Semester 1
HSTO 1310	Introduction to Histology	3
BIOL 1002	Introductory Biology: Cellular	4
ENGL 1010	Composition I (or ENGL 1010A)	3
MATH 1175	Statistics for the Health and Social Sciences (or MATH 1175C)	3
	Hours	13
Semester 2
HSTO 1320	Histotechnology II^	6
COMM 1010	Communication Fundamentals^	3
	Hours	9
Year 2
Semester 1
HSTO 2310	Histotechnology III^	9
Social Science Elective		3
Humanities Elective		3
	Hours	15
Semester 2
HSTO 2320	Histotechnology IV^	14
HSTO 2330	Histology Seminar	2
	Hours	16
	Total Hours	61

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Work-based learning course

Transfer

Please meet with an Academic Advisor/Student Success Coach if you are interested in earning a bachelor's degree. Your Academic Advisor will help you select the courses that best prepare you for transfer to a four-year college or university.

Check out the Joint Admissions Agreement if you are interested in transferring to Rhode Island College or the University of Rhode Island. The JAA program offers seamless transfer to RIC or URI with additional benefits. Transfer information, events, and articulations are available on the Transfer Center website.