OPT Histology Technician Jobs
Histology Technician roles fall under STEM-designated programs in biological and clinical laboratory sciences, making most positions eligible for the 24-month OPT STEM extension. Employers in hospital networks, research institutions, and pathology labs routinely hire on OPT, particularly candidates with HT or HTL certification.
Find OPT Histology Technician JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 52+ Histology Technician jobs
See all 52+ Histology Technician Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Histology Technician roles.
Get Access To All JobsHourly Wage Estimate: $30.27 - $45.42 / hour
Learn more about the benefits offered for this job.
The estimate displayed represents the typical wage range of candidates hired. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include your specific skills, how many years of experience you have and comparison to other employees already in this role. The typical candidate is hired below midpoint of the range.
Last year our HCA Healthcare colleagues invested over 156,000 hours volunteering in our communities. As a Histology Technologist with HCA Healthcare you can be a part of an organization that is devoted to giving back!
Job Summary and Qualifications
The Histology Technologist / Histo Tech / Histotechnologist in HCA Healthcare Lab Service Line plays a vital role in preparing and processing specimens for gross and microscopic examination by a pathologist. This role ensures accurate sample identification and rigorous quality control. The technologist directly impacts patient care by performing a variety of histology and cytology procedures, maintains equipment, and actively contributes to continuous quality improvement within the laboratory setting while working collaboratively with pathologists and the care team.
Major Responsibilities:
- Serve as a knowledgeable resource to peers and customers, fostering a collaborative environment.
- Prepare and process specimens for gross and microscopic examination and diagnosis by a pathologist, ensuring optimal conditions for analysis.
- Assist in the preparation of frozen sections of surgical specimens for microscopic examination by a pathologist, contributing to rapid diagnostic processes.
- Perform histology and cytology procedures including specimen processing/fixation, cell block preparation, embedding, microtomy, slide preparation, routine and special stains in accordance with department procedures, adhering to the highest standards of accuracy and consistency.
- Assure positive sample, block and slide identification throughout the sample/slide preparation process, maintaining impeccable traceability and preventing errors.
- Prepare and maintain solutions for stains and histology procedures, ensuring the availability of high-quality reagents for accurate staining.
- Perform preventive maintenance on equipment and instrumentation per manufacturer and department procedures and per department schedule, ensuring optimal functionality and minimizing downtime.
- Utilize independent judgement and problem-solving skills to ensure the accuracy of procedures performed and proper equipment performance, proactively addressing potential issues.
- Troubleshoot and take appropriate corrective action to resolve and/or escalate issues in a timely manner for resolution, maintaining the integrity of the laboratory processes.
- Adhere to department policy with regards to performance and documentation of quality control and quality assurance for instrumentation, equipment and procedures performed, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
- Identify unacceptable results/outcomes, take corrective action as required and escalate to department leadership when unable to resolve and ensure that patient materials are not provided to a pathologist until the issue has been resolved, safeguarding patient care.
- Actively participate in Continuous Quality Improvement and provide input into the design of workflows, systems and processes and the need for and selection of new methods and equipment, driving innovation and efficiency.
- Support the department in achieving goals for service, quality, regulatory compliance, financial performance, patient satisfaction, healthy work environment and integration of intra and inter-departmental activities, contributing to the overall success of the organization.
- Act as a resource to peers and customers and model teamwork, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
- Assist in the orientation, training, and competency documentation of department personnel as requested, contributing to the development of a skilled and knowledgeable team.
- Assist in the review and modification of department policies and procedures as requested, ensuring that practices remain current and effective.
- Participate in accreditation inspections, supporting the maintenance of the laboratory's accredited status.
- Perform duties of a Complex Specimen Processor as required, demonstrating versatility and adaptability.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Possess a thorough knowledge of histology methods and their correlation to disease processes, enabling accurate and insightful analysis.
- Demonstrate the ability to follow directions and protocols meticulously for the proper fixation and routine staining of samples, ensuring consistent and reliable results.
- Demonstrate proficient technique in the cutting, embedding, orientation and staining of specimens, ensuring high-quality preparations for analysis.
- Possess a general knowledge of laboratory accreditation and regulatory compliance requirements, ensuring adherence to industry standards.
- Exhibit excellent communication, teamwork, and organizational skills, setting a positive example for colleagues.
- Demonstrate the ability to train others effectively, contributing to the development of a skilled team.
- Possess the ability to assimilate and analyze information and recommend actions to be taken, contributing to effective problem-solving and decision-making.
- Demonstrate effective and proactive problem-solving and decision-making skills, addressing challenges with confidence and efficiency.
- Exhibit the ability to view work situations from a broad context, understanding the interdependent nature of work processes, and consider the impact of decisions on other components of the organization, promoting holistic thinking.
Education & Experience:
Experience is dependent on level of education
- High School Diploma or GED and 2 years of histology experience OR
- High School Diploma or GED and completion of an accredited program in histotechnology OR
- Associate's Degree in Histology, Medical Technology, Biomedical Science, Biology or Chemistry and 1 year of histology experience, OR
- Bachelor's Degree or higher in Histotechnology, Medical Laboratory Science, Medical Technology, Biomedical Science, Biology or Chemistry
Licenses, Certifications & Training:
National Certification as a Histotechnologist, Histotechnician, Medical Laboratory Technician, or Medical Laboratory Scientist required; HT (ASCP) or HTL (ASCP) certification or equivalent
Benefits
HCA Healthcare offers a total rewards package that supports the health, life, career and retirement of our colleagues. The available plans and programs include:
- Comprehensive benefits for medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, behavioral health and telemedicine services
- Wellbeing support, including free counseling and referral services
- Time away from work programs for paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence
- Savings and retirement resources, including a 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, flexible spending accounts, preferred banking partnerships, retirement readiness tools, rollover support and financial wellbeing counseling
- Education support through tuition assistance, student loan assistance, certification support, dependent scholarships and a partnership with Galen College of Nursing
- Additional benefits for fertility and family building, adoption assistance, life insurance, supplemental health protection plans, auto and home insurance, legal counseling, identity theft protection and consumer discounts
Learn more about Employee Benefits
Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location.
HCA Healthcare Laboratory Services is a full-service provider of clinical laboratory and anatomic pathology services, providing hospitals, physicians, and clients with timely diagnostic information for patient care. Our infrastructure includes a fully automated esoteric core laboratory in Fort Lauderdale, a histology and microbiology operation in Largo, Florida, and a network of hospital-based rapid-response laboratories in four HCA Healthcare divisions in Florida. Our core laboratories support over 250 acute and rehab hospitals, physician practices, surgery centers, and commercial accounts.
HCA Healthcare has been recognized as one of the World Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute more than ten times. In recent years, HCA Healthcare spent an estimated $3.7 billion in cost for the delivery of charitable care, uninsured discounts, and other uncompensated expenses.
"There is so much good to do in the world and so many different ways to do it." - Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr.
HCA Healthcare Co-Founder
Be a part of an organization that invests in you! We are reviewing applications for our Histology Technologist opening. Qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews. Submit your application and help us raise the bar in patient care!
We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
Hourly Wage Estimate: $30.27 - $45.42 / hour
Learn more about the benefits offered for this job.
The estimate displayed represents the typical wage range of candidates hired. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include your specific skills, how many years of experience you have and comparison to other employees already in this role. The typical candidate is hired below midpoint of the range.
Last year our HCA Healthcare colleagues invested over 156,000 hours volunteering in our communities. As a Histology Technologist with HCA Healthcare you can be a part of an organization that is devoted to giving back!
Job Summary and Qualifications
The Histology Technologist / Histo Tech / Histotechnologist in HCA Healthcare Lab Service Line plays a vital role in preparing and processing specimens for gross and microscopic examination by a pathologist. This role ensures accurate sample identification and rigorous quality control. The technologist directly impacts patient care by performing a variety of histology and cytology procedures, maintains equipment, and actively contributes to continuous quality improvement within the laboratory setting while working collaboratively with pathologists and the care team.
Major Responsibilities:
- Serve as a knowledgeable resource to peers and customers, fostering a collaborative environment.
- Prepare and process specimens for gross and microscopic examination and diagnosis by a pathologist, ensuring optimal conditions for analysis.
- Assist in the preparation of frozen sections of surgical specimens for microscopic examination by a pathologist, contributing to rapid diagnostic processes.
- Perform histology and cytology procedures including specimen processing/fixation, cell block preparation, embedding, microtomy, slide preparation, routine and special stains in accordance with department procedures, adhering to the highest standards of accuracy and consistency.
- Assure positive sample, block and slide identification throughout the sample/slide preparation process, maintaining impeccable traceability and preventing errors.
- Prepare and maintain solutions for stains and histology procedures, ensuring the availability of high-quality reagents for accurate staining.
- Perform preventive maintenance on equipment and instrumentation per manufacturer and department procedures and per department schedule, ensuring optimal functionality and minimizing downtime.
- Utilize independent judgement and problem-solving skills to ensure the accuracy of procedures performed and proper equipment performance, proactively addressing potential issues.
- Troubleshoot and take appropriate corrective action to resolve and/or escalate issues in a timely manner for resolution, maintaining the integrity of the laboratory processes.
- Adhere to department policy with regards to performance and documentation of quality control and quality assurance for instrumentation, equipment and procedures performed, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
- Identify unacceptable results/outcomes, take corrective action as required and escalate to department leadership when unable to resolve and ensure that patient materials are not provided to a pathologist until the issue has been resolved, safeguarding patient care.
- Actively participate in Continuous Quality Improvement and provide input into the design of workflows, systems and processes and the need for and selection of new methods and equipment, driving innovation and efficiency.
- Support the department in achieving goals for service, quality, regulatory compliance, financial performance, patient satisfaction, healthy work environment and integration of intra and inter-departmental activities, contributing to the overall success of the organization.
- Act as a resource to peers and customers and model teamwork, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
- Assist in the orientation, training, and competency documentation of department personnel as requested, contributing to the development of a skilled and knowledgeable team.
- Assist in the review and modification of department policies and procedures as requested, ensuring that practices remain current and effective.
- Participate in accreditation inspections, supporting the maintenance of the laboratory's accredited status.
- Perform duties of a Complex Specimen Processor as required, demonstrating versatility and adaptability.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Possess a thorough knowledge of histology methods and their correlation to disease processes, enabling accurate and insightful analysis.
- Demonstrate the ability to follow directions and protocols meticulously for the proper fixation and routine staining of samples, ensuring consistent and reliable results.
- Demonstrate proficient technique in the cutting, embedding, orientation and staining of specimens, ensuring high-quality preparations for analysis.
- Possess a general knowledge of laboratory accreditation and regulatory compliance requirements, ensuring adherence to industry standards.
- Exhibit excellent communication, teamwork, and organizational skills, setting a positive example for colleagues.
- Demonstrate the ability to train others effectively, contributing to the development of a skilled team.
- Possess the ability to assimilate and analyze information and recommend actions to be taken, contributing to effective problem-solving and decision-making.
- Demonstrate effective and proactive problem-solving and decision-making skills, addressing challenges with confidence and efficiency.
- Exhibit the ability to view work situations from a broad context, understanding the interdependent nature of work processes, and consider the impact of decisions on other components of the organization, promoting holistic thinking.
Education & Experience:
Experience is dependent on level of education
- High School Diploma or GED and 2 years of histology experience OR
- High School Diploma or GED and completion of an accredited program in histotechnology OR
- Associate's Degree in Histology, Medical Technology, Biomedical Science, Biology or Chemistry and 1 year of histology experience, OR
- Bachelor's Degree or higher in Histotechnology, Medical Laboratory Science, Medical Technology, Biomedical Science, Biology or Chemistry
Licenses, Certifications & Training:
National Certification as a Histotechnologist, Histotechnician, Medical Laboratory Technician, or Medical Laboratory Scientist required; HT (ASCP) or HTL (ASCP) certification or equivalent
Benefits
HCA Healthcare offers a total rewards package that supports the health, life, career and retirement of our colleagues. The available plans and programs include:
- Comprehensive benefits for medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, behavioral health and telemedicine services
- Wellbeing support, including free counseling and referral services
- Time away from work programs for paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence
- Savings and retirement resources, including a 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, flexible spending accounts, preferred banking partnerships, retirement readiness tools, rollover support and financial wellbeing counseling
- Education support through tuition assistance, student loan assistance, certification support, dependent scholarships and a partnership with Galen College of Nursing
- Additional benefits for fertility and family building, adoption assistance, life insurance, supplemental health protection plans, auto and home insurance, legal counseling, identity theft protection and consumer discounts
Learn more about Employee Benefits
Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location.
HCA Healthcare Laboratory Services is a full-service provider of clinical laboratory and anatomic pathology services, providing hospitals, physicians, and clients with timely diagnostic information for patient care. Our infrastructure includes a fully automated esoteric core laboratory in Fort Lauderdale, a histology and microbiology operation in Largo, Florida, and a network of hospital-based rapid-response laboratories in four HCA Healthcare divisions in Florida. Our core laboratories support over 250 acute and rehab hospitals, physician practices, surgery centers, and commercial accounts.
HCA Healthcare has been recognized as one of the World Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute more than ten times. In recent years, HCA Healthcare spent an estimated $3.7 billion in cost for the delivery of charitable care, uninsured discounts, and other uncompensated expenses.
"There is so much good to do in the world and so many different ways to do it." - Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr.
HCA Healthcare Co-Founder
Be a part of an organization that invests in you! We are reviewing applications for our Histology Technologist opening. Qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews. Submit your application and help us raise the bar in patient care!
We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
See all 52+ OPT Histology Technician Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Histology Technician Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Histology Technician
Confirm your program's STEM CIP code
Histology Technician roles typically qualify for the STEM OPT extension under CIP codes in biological sciences or clinical laboratory science. Verify with your DSO before applying so you can confidently tell employers you're eligible for 36 months total.
Lead with HT or HTL certification
ASCP certification signals clinical competency to hiring managers faster than your visa status raises questions. Certified candidates face less employer hesitation around OPT paperwork because the credential itself justifies the hire without further explanation.
Target hospital systems and academic medical centers
Large hospital networks and university-affiliated pathology labs have dedicated HR teams familiar with OPT work authorization. They process I-983 training plans routinely, unlike smaller independent labs where OPT paperwork may be entirely unfamiliar territory.
Apply before your OPT start date is imminent
Employers need time to complete the I-983 and align your start date with your EAD. Starting your search three to four months before graduation gives hiring managers enough runway to complete onboarding without feeling rushed by your authorization timeline.
Address E-Verify requirements proactively
Clinical and hospital employers are frequently E-Verify participants, which is required for STEM OPT extensions anyway. Mentioning this upfront reassures employers that your authorization is verifiable and that you understand the compliance process on their end.
Highlight hands-on laboratory coursework in your resume
Employers sponsoring OPT want evidence that classroom training maps directly to the histology bench. Quantify your experience with specific techniques like tissue processing, microtomy, or special stains to make the connection between your degree and the role explicit.
Histology Technician OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Histology Technician jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most do, but it depends on your degree's CIP code rather than the job title itself. If your degree is in biological sciences, clinical laboratory science, or a related STEM field, you're likely eligible for the 24-month STEM extension after your initial 12 months of OPT. Confirm with your DSO before accepting an offer, since the employer also needs to be E-Verify enrolled to satisfy the extension requirement.
Will employers hire Histology Technicians on OPT without H-1B sponsorship?
Yes. Many hospital systems and pathology labs hire on OPT because it doesn't require them to file a petition or pay USCIS fees. Your EAD card is your work authorization, and for STEM-eligible roles the employer only needs to complete an I-983 training plan and be enrolled in E-Verify. Resistance usually comes from smaller labs unfamiliar with the process, not larger healthcare employers.
Where can I find Histology Technician jobs that are OPT-friendly?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for OPT students, so you can browse Histology Technician openings from employers already familiar with or open to OPT work authorization. Searching on general platforms means manually screening out roles where the employer has no experience with international students, which wastes significant time during an authorization window where every week matters.
Can I work as a Histology Technician while waiting for my ASCP board exam results?
In most states, you can work in a histology role under supervision before receiving your certification, but this varies by state laboratory licensing requirements. Your OPT EAD authorizes you to work in your field of study, so the visa side is not the limiting factor. Check your state's clinical laboratory personnel regulations and confirm the employer's job description doesn't list certification as a strict hire requirement.
What happens to my OPT if I lose my Histology Technician job?
You have a 90-day unemployment allowance across your total OPT period, which STEM OPT extends to 150 days total. If your position ends, report the change to your DSO within 10 days and begin your job search immediately. Histology roles in hospital networks and reference labs tend to have lower turnover than other laboratory specialties, so extended gaps are less common, but having a plan matters.