OPT Histotechnician Jobs
Histotechnician jobs on OPT involve preparing tissue samples for pathological analysis in hospitals, research labs, and diagnostic centers. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT extensions under CIP code 41.0205. Employers typically require HT certification from ASCP, so having that credential before your OPT start date strengthens your application significantly.
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Location: Presbyterian Medical Center | Charlotte, NC
Department: Anatomic Pathology/Laboratory
Shift: Full-time | Monday - Friday | 1am - 9:30am
Do you thrive behind the scenes where precision meets purpose?
Join Novant Health as a Histotechnician II, where your expertise in histological techniques helps power diagnoses and fuel care that transforms lives.
Why Novant Health?
At Novant Health, we're not just about care—we're about people. Ranked among the best for workplace culture and innovation, we’re redefining what it means to be part of a healthcare team.
What We’re Looking For:
- ASCP certification required.
- Minimum 2 years of experience in a clinical histology lab.
- Associates or Bachelor’s in science or related field preferred.
- Strong organizational and technical skills.
Education:
High School Diploma or GED, required. 2 Year / Associate Degree, preferred. Successful completion of a NAACLS accredited Histotechnician program within the last five years prior to the date of application for examination. Or at least 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of academic credit from a regionally accredited college/university, with a combination of 12 semester hours (18 quarter hours) of biology and chemistry (must include credit hours in both), or an associate degree from a regionally accredited college/university, with a combination of 12 semester hours (18 quarter hours) of biology and chemistry (must include credit hours in both), AND one year full time acceptable experience in a histopathology (clinical, veterinary, industry or research) laboratory in the U.S., Canada or an accredited laboratory within the last ten years. (CMS CLIA certificate of registration, compliance, accreditation; AND/OR CAP, AABB, Joint Commission accreditation; OR JCI accreditation; OR Accreditation under ISO 15189).
Experience:
Three years of relevant laboratory tech and/or leadership experience including fixation, microtomy, processing and staining, preferred.
Licensure/Certification:
HT or HTL Certification from ASCP, required.
Additional Skills (required):
- All individuals certified ASCP beginning January 1, 2004 must participate and maintain ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) through the Certification Maintenance Program (CMP). New Hire Histotechnicians must obtain certification within 1 year of hire.
- Knowledge of current medical terminology to perform full range of laboratory tests.
- Knowledge of laboratory equipment and testing to perform quality control checks and troubleshooting of instrumentation.
- Knowledge of medical terminology to communicate with medical staff regarding laboratory procedures and results.
- Skill in performing a full range of laboratory tests.
- Skill in anticipating and reacting calmly to emergency situations.
- Skill in developing and maintaining department quality assurance.
- Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with patients, medical staff, hospital staff and the public.
- Ability to read and understand information about instrumentation in laboratory field.
- Ability to follow written protocols.
- Ability to work independently. Ability to communicate clearly.
What You'll Do:
- Embed and cut tissue specimens for microscopic evaluation. Assist with workflow in lab.
- Perform advanced histology techniques with accuracy and attention to detail.
- Maintain lab equipment and ensure top-tier quality standards.
- Collaborate with pathologists and lab team members to deliver timely, life-changing results.
What We Offer:
Location: Presbyterian Medical Center | Charlotte, NC
Department: Anatomic Pathology/Laboratory
Shift: Full-time | Monday - Friday | 1am - 9:30am
Do you thrive behind the scenes where precision meets purpose?
Join Novant Health as a Histotechnician II, where your expertise in histological techniques helps power diagnoses and fuel care that transforms lives.
Why Novant Health?
At Novant Health, we're not just about care—we're about people. Ranked among the best for workplace culture and innovation, we’re redefining what it means to be part of a healthcare team.
What We’re Looking For:
- ASCP certification required.
- Minimum 2 years of experience in a clinical histology lab.
- Associates or Bachelor’s in science or related field preferred.
- Strong organizational and technical skills.
Education:
High School Diploma or GED, required. 2 Year / Associate Degree, preferred. Successful completion of a NAACLS accredited Histotechnician program within the last five years prior to the date of application for examination. Or at least 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of academic credit from a regionally accredited college/university, with a combination of 12 semester hours (18 quarter hours) of biology and chemistry (must include credit hours in both), or an associate degree from a regionally accredited college/university, with a combination of 12 semester hours (18 quarter hours) of biology and chemistry (must include credit hours in both), AND one year full time acceptable experience in a histopathology (clinical, veterinary, industry or research) laboratory in the U.S., Canada or an accredited laboratory within the last ten years. (CMS CLIA certificate of registration, compliance, accreditation; AND/OR CAP, AABB, Joint Commission accreditation; OR JCI accreditation; OR Accreditation under ISO 15189).
Experience:
Three years of relevant laboratory tech and/or leadership experience including fixation, microtomy, processing and staining, preferred.
Licensure/Certification:
HT or HTL Certification from ASCP, required.
Additional Skills (required):
- All individuals certified ASCP beginning January 1, 2004 must participate and maintain ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) through the Certification Maintenance Program (CMP). New Hire Histotechnicians must obtain certification within 1 year of hire.
- Knowledge of current medical terminology to perform full range of laboratory tests.
- Knowledge of laboratory equipment and testing to perform quality control checks and troubleshooting of instrumentation.
- Knowledge of medical terminology to communicate with medical staff regarding laboratory procedures and results.
- Skill in performing a full range of laboratory tests.
- Skill in anticipating and reacting calmly to emergency situations.
- Skill in developing and maintaining department quality assurance.
- Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with patients, medical staff, hospital staff and the public.
- Ability to read and understand information about instrumentation in laboratory field.
- Ability to follow written protocols.
- Ability to work independently. Ability to communicate clearly.
What You'll Do:
- Embed and cut tissue specimens for microscopic evaluation. Assist with workflow in lab.
- Perform advanced histology techniques with accuracy and attention to detail.
- Maintain lab equipment and ensure top-tier quality standards.
- Collaborate with pathologists and lab team members to deliver timely, life-changing results.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Histotechnician
Confirm your CIP code qualifies for STEM OPT
Histotechnology typically falls under CIP code 41.0205, which qualifies for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Verify this with your DSO before applying, since the extension gives you up to three years of total work authorization.
Earn your ASCP HT certification before you start applying
Most hospital and diagnostic lab employers require or strongly prefer ASCP Histotechnician certification. Having it before your OPT start date removes a common hiring barrier and signals you can contribute immediately without additional credentialing delays.
Target hospital systems and academic medical centers first
Large hospital networks and academic medical centers process OPT employment verifications routinely and have HR infrastructure for work authorization compliance. They are far more likely to hire OPT students than small independent pathology practices.
Be upfront about your OPT end date in early conversations
Histotechnician roles involve significant onboarding and lab orientation. Employers want to know how long you can stay. Mentioning your full authorization window, including the STEM extension if applicable, reassures them before they invest in training you.
Apply to roles posted at CLIA-certified laboratories
CLIA-certified labs operate under federal oversight and tend to have formal HR processes, including familiarity with OPT employment verification. Smaller, uncertified labs may be unfamiliar with work authorization requirements, which can slow or derail your hiring process.
Highlight tissue processing and embedding experience in your resume
Employers screening OPT candidates move quickly. Leading with specific technical skills like cryostat sectioning, immunohistochemistry staining, or paraffin embedding tells hiring managers you are lab-ready and reduces concern about your work authorization timeline.
Histotechnician OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Histotechnician jobs typically qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, histotechnology programs are commonly classified under CIP code 41.0205, which is on the STEM Designated Degree Program list. That means you may be eligible for a 24-month STEM OPT extension beyond your initial 12 months, giving you up to three years of work authorization. Confirm your specific degree CIP code with your DSO before assuming eligibility.
Will employers sponsor an H-1B visa after my OPT period ends?
Some do, particularly large hospital systems, university-affiliated medical centers, and national reference laboratories. H-1B visa sponsorship for Histotechnicians is not universal, since smaller labs often lack the HR infrastructure for visa petitions. During your job search on Migrate Mate, you can filter specifically for employers who have a track record of sponsoring work visas, which saves significant time.
Can I work as a Histotechnician on OPT without ASCP certification?
Technically yes, OPT work authorization is not tied to your certification status. However, most hospital and diagnostic lab employers require ASCP HT or HTL certification as a condition of employment. Working without certification may limit you to research assistant or lab support roles rather than full histotechnician positions. Pursuing certification concurrently with your job search is the practical approach.
What types of employers hire Histotechnicians on OPT?
Hospital pathology departments, academic medical centers, independent reference laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, and cancer research institutions all employ histotechnicians. Academic medical centers affiliated with universities tend to be the most OPT-friendly because they regularly hire international students and have established processes for work authorization verification and STEM OPT employer reporting requirements.
What is the STEM OPT employer reporting requirement for Histotechnician roles?
Under STEM OPT, your employer must submit a formal training plan using Form I-983 and provide evaluations every six months. For Histotechnician roles, the training plan should document how the work relates to your degree field, covering skills like tissue processing, histochemical techniques, or quality control procedures. Your DSO must also report your employment in SEVIS, so loop them in before your start date.