Travel histotech career guide

Travel histotechnicians and histotechnologists play a vital role in delivering timely and accurate diagnosis to patients. Working behind the scenes in the lab, a histotechnician preps tissue for examination, while a histotechnologist preps and tests tissue. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for clinical lab technicians and technologists is expected to grow roughly five percent from 2022 to 2032, making histotechnology an in-demand profession.

Histology is a great field to get into if you’re someone who enjoys science, biology, and working as part of a team. It’s hands-on, rewarding, and full of exciting opportunities to work in a number of diverse facilities, from hospitals to research facilities. To get you started on your journey, Nomad has created this quick guide to help you navigate your travel histotechnology career.

What is a travel histotechnologist?

The National Society for Histotechnology (NSH) defines histotechnicians (HTs) and histotechnologists (HTLs) as members of a lab team who use histologic technology to diagnose diseases, conduct research, or instruct others in science. They prepare human tissue samples and microscope slides for examination, often by a pathologist. These samples, and subsequent findings, are used to gain greater understanding of a patient’s condition or ailment, and can lead to impactful treatment options.

What does a traveling histotechnologist do?

Histology is the study of microscopic tissues. There are five critical elements to histotechnology, as defined by the National Society for Histotechnology: grossing and fixation, processing, embedding, sectioning, and staining.

• Grossing and fixation: Tissue samples are initially examined and trimmed, and then placed in a special solution to help it keep from decomposing. 
• Processing: The tissue is dehydrated.
• Embedding/Microtomy: This is the process of putting the tissue sample into paraffin wax or plastic resin.
• Sectioning: Here, the tissue sample is mounted and cut into sections. 
• Staining: Different chemicals and/or other staining techniques are used to alter the colors of the tissue sample, making components more identifiable under a microscope.

Once a tissue sample has undergone all of these steps, it is ready to be examined by a pathologist, who can examine the tissue for abnormalities and use the information to better understand a patient’s condition. As opposed to patient-facing disciplines, histotechnology happens behind the scenes in a lab setting. Strong histotechnologists are detail-oriented, patient, and strong critical thinkers.

What are some important certifications for travel histotechnologists to have?

Travel histotechnicians are certified through the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification. In order to qualify for the HT certification exam, applicants must meet one of the following criteria, in accordance with their website:

• Completion of a National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)-accredited histotechnician program within the last five years
• 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of academic credit from an accredited college or university, with a combination of 12 semester hours (18 quarter hours) in biology or chemistry (must have a combo of both), plus one year of full time clinical experience in a histopathology lab within the last five years OR one year of full time research, industry, or veterinary histopathology experience within the last five years
• 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of academic credit from an accredited college or university, with a combination of 12 semester hours (18 quarter hours) in biology or chemistry (must have a combo of both), plus the successful completion of a 50-week U.S. military histotechnician training course within the last ten years

Once you meet one of the above requirements, you can take the certification exam. The application fee for the exam is $225. Certification is not required to be a travel histotechnician, but having it proves expertise in the field, and can lead to more job and pay opportunities.

Advanced travel histotechnologist certifications

Clinicians have the option to pursue a more advanced certification; histotechnologist (HTL). To be eligible for this certification, applicants must meet one of the following criteria, according to the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification website:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school with 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) in biology and chemistry (must be a combo of both), plus the completion of a NAACLS accredited histotechnician/histology program within the last five years
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school with 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) in biology and chemistry (must be a combo of both), plus one year of full time clinical experience in a histopathology lab within the last five years or one year of full time research, industry, or veterinary histopathology experience within the last five years
• A current HT certification, a bachelor’s degree, and six months of full time histopathology clinical experience or one year of full time research, industry, or veterinary histopathology experience within the last five years
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school with 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) in biology and chemistry (must be a combo of both), and the the successful completion of a 50-week U.S. military histotechnician training course within the last ten years

In addition to completing one of the above requirements, applicants must have experience in fixation, embedding, processing, staining, and laboratory operations. The application fee is $250.

How do you become a travel histotechnologist?

There are a few different routes to becoming a travel histotechnician. One way is to earn a high school diploma and complete two years of clinical laboratory training. Another option is to complete a histotechnology program. Thirdly, aspiring healthcare professionals have the option to earn an associate’s degree and complete a year of clinical lab experience.

Travel histotechnicians have the option to further their expertise and become histotechnologists, which requires a bachelor’s degree (about four years) and the completion of an accredited histology program, or clinical experience.

How long does it typically take to become a travel histotechnologist?

Aspiring healthcare professionals can become a histotechnician in as little as two years, but facilities and agencies have their own sets of experience requirements for travel staff, which may include the completion of previous travel assignments. Becoming a travel histotechnologist will take longer; due to the bachelor’s degree requirements, it will take at least four years. 

How much does a travel histotechnologist make?

According to ZipRecruiter, the national average for a travel histotechnologist is $35 an hour. Remember, each histotech travel job is different, and each job has pay that varies based on the state, facility needs, and personal experience.

Travel histotechnologist healthcare resources

1. National Society for Histotechnology (NSH). (n.d.). Home. Retrieved from https://www.nsh.org/home
2. National Society for Histotechnology (NSH). (n.d.). Why Histotechnology? Retrieved from https://www.nsh.org/about/about-histotechnology/why-histotechnology
3. ZipRecruiter. (n.d.). Travel Histotechnologist Salary. Retrieved from https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Travel-Histotechnologist-Salary
4. American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). (n.d.). Board of Certification. Retrieved from https://www.ascp.org/content/board-of-certification#
5. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.). Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicians.htm