Histology Technician Resume Guide
Histology Technicians prepare tissue samples for microscopic examination and analysis. They perform routine laboratory tests, process specimens in the laboratory, document test results, and maintain lab equipment. Additionally they may also be responsible for ordering supplies and performing quality control checks on instruments used to analyze tissue samples.
You have a knack for tissue sampling and analysis, but employers don’t know that yet. To make them aware of your histology expertise, you must craft an eye-catching resume.
This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.
Table of Contents
The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.
Histology Technician Resume Sample
Otis Rutherford
Histology Technician
[email protected]
038-544-6848
linkedin.com/in/otis-rutherford
Summary
Energetic histology technician with 5+ years of experience in preparing and analyzing tissue samples. Experienced at using various types of laboratory equipment to process specimens, prepare slides, and perform histochemical staining techniques. At XYZ hospital achieved a 95% accuracy rate for specimen preparation and slide assessment through rigorous quality control measures. Received the Employee Excellence Award for consistent commitment to excellence over three consecutive years.
Experience
Histology Technician, Employer A
Anaheim, Jan 2018 – Present
- Represented histology department in monthly industry conferences and workshops, educating over 200 attendees on the latest histological techniques.
- Revised existing protocols to ensure accuracy of tissue staining procedures; improved laboratory efficiency by 15%.
- Prepared slides for microscopic examination while using a variety of stains, reagents and mounting mediums with up to 98% accuracy rate.
- Utilized light microscopy skills to analyze specimens before passing them along for further evaluation by pathologists; increased throughput by 25%.
- Accurately identified cell structures according to current pathology standards, ensuring that all results were accurate and reliable; reduced reporting time from 10 minutes per sample down to 7 minutes on average.
Histology Technician, Employer B
Minneapolis, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017
- Facilitated the preparation of over 200 tissue samples per week for histological tests, ensuring that specimens were accurately labeled and stored in accordance with laboratory protocols; reduced mislabeling incidents by 15%.
- Dissected human tissue samples using a variety of techniques to obtain thin sections suitable for microscopic examination; increased accuracy rate from 80% to 97% within 3 months.
- Operated microscopes, microtomes and other lab equipment as required during the staining process while adhering strictly to safety regulations at all times; cut costs by 10%.
- Developed new methods for preparing slides quickly without compromising on quality or accuracy; improved slide preparation time by 25 minutes an hour on average.
- Reliably performed routine maintenance checks and troubleshooting activities on microscopes and other related instruments regularly to ensure optimal performance levels were maintained throughout the year.
Skills
- Histology
- Healthcare
- Laboratory
- Hospitals
- Medical Terminology
- Clinical Research
- Immunohistochemistry
- Pathology
- Healthcare Management
Education
Associate Degree in Histology Technology
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
Certifications
Histotechnician (HT)
American Society for Clinical Pathology
May 2017
1. Summary / Objective
Your resume summary/objective should be a brief, yet powerful summary of your qualifications as a histology technician. Include the most important skills and certifications you have obtained that make you an ideal candidate for this position. For example, mention any laboratory experience or specialized training in tissue processing techniques; also highlight how many years of experience you have working with microscopes and other lab equipment.
Below are some resume summary examples:
Talented and motivated histology technician with 5+ years of experience in preparing and analyzing tissue samples for diagnostic purposes. At XYZ, managed the preparation and staining of over 500 specimens per week while maintaining a 98% accuracy rate. Experienced in troubleshooting laboratory equipment issues to ensure quality assurance protocols are followed. Highly organized professional with great attention to detail, able to identify potential errors quickly.
Committed histology technician with 5+ years of experience in the medical field. Skilled at performing and interpreting tissue samples for diagnosis, therapy, or research purposes. Experienced in using advanced laboratory equipment to obtain precise results under tight deadlines and maintaining detailed records of all specimen tests. Seeking an opportunity to join ABC Lab as a histology technician and help improve patient care outcomes through accurate testing.
Diligent Histology Technician with 5+ years of experience in the medical field. Experienced in performing histological procedures, preparing tissue samples for analysis, and maintaining accurate documentation. At XYZ Hospital, identified an error in a patient’s diagnosis that led to successful treatment and improved patient satisfaction ratings by 20%. Proven track record of providing quality service quickly and accurately at all times.
Determined Histology Technician with 7+ years of experience in preparing and analyzing tissue specimens. Adept at utilizing laboratory technology to accurately diagnose a variety of medical conditions. Well-versed in the maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting of histological instruments. Looking to join ABC Lab as an Histology Technician where I can use my expertise to help provide accurate results for patients.
Dependable and organized Histology Technician with 10+ years of experience in the medical field. Skilled at preparing and staining specimens, conducting tests, and maintaining laboratory equipment. At XYZ Hospital, developed an innovative labeling system that improved specimen tracking accuracy by 15%. Earned recognition from colleagues for attention to detail while completing projects quickly and accurately.
Hard-working histology technician with 7+ years of experience in preparing and analyzing tissue samples. Performed numerous histological tests, including special stains, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and in situ hybridization (ISH). Utilized the most advanced technologies to ensure accurate results while adhering to safety protocols. Experienced at working independently or as part of a team on complex projects.
Proficient histology technician with 8+ years of experience in the healthcare industry. Expertise includes preparing histologic slides, staining specimens for pathological diagnoses and performing quality control checks on laboratory equipment. Committed to providing accurate results within time constraints while ensuring patient safety at ABC Medical Group. Key achievement: reduced lab errors by 20%.
Amicable histology technician with 8+ years of experience in laboratory diagnostics and analysis. Highly skilled at preparing slides for microscopic examination, performing immunohistochemical staining, and interpreting results to aid in the diagnosis of diseases. Seeking to join ABC Laboratory as a histology technician where I can use my expertise to help provide high-quality patient care.
2. Experience / Employment
In the experience section, you should list your employment history in reverse chronological order. This means that the most recent job is listed first.
When writing out what you did for each role, use bullet points to make it easier for the reader to take in all of the information quickly and easily. Take some time to think about how detailed you want to be when describing what you did; try providing quantifiable results whenever possible.
For example, instead of saying “Prepared tissue samples,” say something like “Processed over 200 tissue samples per day using a variety of histological techniques including paraffin embedding and immunohistochemistry.”
To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:
- Prepared
- Embedded
- Stained
- Examined
- Analyzed
- Documented
- Monitored
- Operated
- Calibrated
- Dissected
- Processed
- Mounted
- Preserved
- Assisted
Other general verbs you can use are:
- Achieved
- Advised
- Assessed
- Compiled
- Coordinated
- Demonstrated
- Developed
- Expedited
- Facilitated
- Formulated
- Improved
- Introduced
- Mentored
- Optimized
- Participated
- Presented
- Reduced
- Reorganized
- Represented
- Revised
- Spearheaded
- Streamlined
- Structured
- Utilized
Below are some example bullet points:
- Participated in the preparation of histology specimens, processing over 300 tissue samples per week and preparing slides for microscopic analysis.
- Demonstrated outstanding accuracy when performing routine staining techniques such as H&E, PAS & immunohistochemistry; achieved a 96% precision rate in all tests conducted.
- Preserved biological specimens by using paraffin wax immersion and dehydration methods to fix tissues for microscopic examination, resulting in successful diagnosis of over 500 patients last quarter.
- Mounted stained sections on glass microscope slides utilizing permanent mounting media; increased efficiency by 20% through automation process implementation during this tasking procedure.
- Thoroughly evaluated microscope images under high magnification to detect any abnormalities or variations in cell structure; identified 28 serious conditions with 100% accuracy among laboratory studies performed so far this year.
- Improved histology laboratory quality assurance by 20%, ensuring accurate results and reducing errors.
- Coordinated the day-to-day activities of a histology lab, overseeing 4 technicians and 10 support staff members in their tasks; streamlined workflow for increased efficiency by 40%.
- Assessed slides under microscope to identify abnormalities or diseases, utilizing different staining techniques such as H&E, PAP & Trichrome stains with 100% accuracy rate.
- Presented findings from microscopic assessments to pathology team on weekly basis; organized 30+ clinical reports per month that resulted in prompt diagnoses of patient conditions/illnesses.
- Successfully conducted over 200 tissue sectioning procedures each week with precision and attention to detail while adhering to safety protocols at all times.
- Processed over 200 tissue specimens per day with accuracy and attention to detail, substantially increasing laboratory output by 25%.
- Substantially reduced sample preparation time through optimized lab protocols and equipment utilization; decreased average processing times from 4 hours to 2 hours.
- Embedded sections of paraffin blocks for histological examination using microtomes and cryostats, effectively preparing slides for microscopic analysis.
- Introduced new methods of specimen staining, allowing for enhanced visibility under the microscope which improved diagnosis accuracy by 30%.
- Optimized laboratory workflow processes resulting in a 20% reduction in reagent costs without compromising quality or safety standards set forth by regulatory bodies.
- Efficiently prepared and processed over 200 tissue specimens, utilizing appropriate histological techniques such as embedding, cutting and staining; reduced sample processing time by 25%.
- Assisted the pathologists in preparing slides for microscopic examination of cells from biopsy or cytology specimens; accurately identified abnormal structures and labeled them accordingly.
- Examined samples using light microscopes to detect any abnormalities or diseases present in the tissues, enabling early diagnosis of cancerous conditions with 95% accuracy rate.
- Stained tissue sections with a variety of reagents including H&E (hematoxylin & eosin) according to lab protocols resulting in improved clarity when viewing under microscope lenses at high magnifications (+400x).
- Structured quality control processes for all laboratory operations that ensured compliance with applicable regulatory standards while maintaining 98% reliability rate on test results reported back to physicians/patients each month.
- Actively participated in the preparation, staining and evaluation of over 500 tissue slides on a daily basis; decreased slide analysis time by 25%.
- Monitored laboratory equipment regularly to ensure proper functioning and compliance with safety protocols; upgraded histology instruments for improved performance.
- Mentored junior technicians in fundamental techniques such as preparing glass slides from paraffin blocks, performing special stains & immunohistochemical assays, interpreting results accurately and reporting findings correctly within established timeframe guidelines.
- Calibrated lab microscope systems according to manufacturer specifications for optimal viewing of cellular structures during specimen observation; resulted in accurate diagnosis rates of 79% or higher consistently.
- Analyzed blood/tissue sample data using complex software programs (iPath™) to detect any abnormalities that could potentially lead to disease diagnosis or treatment planning; identified cancer markers early resulting in successful patient outcomes 83% of the time.
- Expedited histology processing times by up to 50%, allowing for expedited diagnosis of pathology results and improved patient outcomes.
- Formulated laboratory protocols, conducted quality control assessments on histological slides, and operated microscope equipment according to safety guidelines and protocols.
- Independently processed over 300 specimens per day while adhering strictly to established handling procedures; decreased turnaround time from 24 hours down to 6 hours with no errors in the last quarter.
- Reduced specimen labeling mistakes through implementing a thorough check system that was followed consistently by all lab personnel members; eliminated mislabeled cases entirely within 3 months of implementation period.
- Spearheaded new initiatives for standardizing tissue section staining processes throughout the entire lab facility, resulting in increased efficiency of microscopic evaluations by 35%.
- Streamlined histology lab operations and improved the efficiency of tissue sample processing by 20%, resulting in faster delivery of results to physicians.
- Compiled detailed records for 200+ patient samples, accurately entering data into laboratory information systems and ensuring accuracy & completeness at all times.
- Confidently prepared slides from a variety of specimens including body fluids, tissue biopsies, bone marrow aspirates and cytological smears; performed routine staining techniques (Hematoxylin-Eosin) as well as special stains such as Giemsa or Papanicolaou stain with excellent results every time.
- Advised on best practices regarding safety protocols for handling hazardous materials; developed procedures for safe disposal of pathological wastes that reduced contamination incidents by 15%.
- Achieved recognition from peers in the medical field through presentations at national conferences showcasing innovations in histopathology laboratories’ workflow processes which resulted in an increase of research opportunities within the institution’s pathology department by 40%.
3. Skills
Skill requirements will differ from employer to employer – this can easily be determined via the job advert. Organization ABC may require the candidate to have experience in immunohistochemistry while Organization XYZ may need someone with expertise in tissue processing and embedding.
For this reason, you should tailor your skills section of your resume to each job that you are applying for. This is especially important because a large number of employers use applicant tracking systems these days which scan resumes for certain keywords before passing them on to a human.
Once listed here, it would be beneficial to further elaborate on your skillset by discussing it more thoroughly in other areas such as the summary or experience sections.
Below is a list of common skills & terms:
- Anatomic Pathology
- Biotechnology
- CPR Certified
- Cancer
- Cell Culture
- Clinical Research
- Data Entry
- HIPAA
- Healthcare
- Healthcare Information Technology
- Healthcare Management
- Histology
- Hospitals
- Immunohistochemistry
- Laboratory
- Laboratory Medicine
- Laboratory Skills
- Life Sciences
- Lifesciences
- Medical Terminology
- Microbiology
- Microscopy
- Molecular Biology
- PCR
- Pathology
- Phlebotomy
- Teamwork
- Time Management
4. Education
Mentioning an education section on your resume will depend on how far along you are in your career. If you just graduated and have no work experience, it is a good idea to include an education section below the resume objective. However, if you already have significant professional histology technician experience that could be showcased instead of listing educational details, then omitting the education section might be beneficial.
If including an education section is necessary or preferred, try to mention courses and subjects related to histology technician roles as well as any certifications or qualifications obtained during those studies.
Associate Degree in Histology Technology
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
5. Certifications
Certifications are a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and proficiency in a certain field. They show potential employers that you have taken the time and effort to become certified by an accredited organization, which can give them confidence in your abilities.
Including certifications on your resume is especially important if they are relevant to the job you are applying for. This will help set you apart from other applicants who may not have such credentials, making it easier for hiring managers to recognize why they should hire you over someone else.
Histotechnician (HT)
American Society for Clinical Pathology
May 2017
6. Contact Info
Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.
You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.
Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Otis Rutherford, this would be Otis-Rutherford-resume.pdf or Otis-Rutherford-resume.docx.
7. Cover Letter
Including a cover letter with your job application is a great way to make yourself stand out from the competition. It’s usually made up of 2-4 paragraphs and provides an additional opportunity for you to showcase why you’re the best candidate for the role.
Cover letters allow you to connect with recruiters on a more personal level, giving them insight into who you are as an individual and what makes you unique in comparison to other applicants. Although not always necessary, writing one can be beneficial when applying for certain jobs.
Below is an example cover letter:
Dear Keagan,
I am writing to apply for the Histology Technician position at XYZ Hospital. As a certified histology technician with 5+ years of experience working in high-volume clinical laboratories, I am confident that I would be a valuable asset to your team.
In my previous role as histology technician at ABC Laboratory, I was responsible for processing and preparing tissue samples for examination by pathologists. My experience in performing all aspects of histologic testing, from slide preparation to staining and coverslipping, has given me a deep understanding of the importance of accuracy and attention to detail in this field. I am also experienced in quality control procedures and maintain detailed records of all laboratory tests performed.
I am passionate about providing quality patient care and take pride in producing accurate test results that contribute to diagnosis and treatment planning. I am confident that I can provide the same level of service at XYZ Hospital and would be proud to become part of your team.
Thank you for your time and consideration; I look forward to speaking with you soon about this opportunity.
Sincerely,
Otis