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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Get Access To All JobsBuilding Location:
Building B - St Marys Medical Center
Department:
2992030 PATHOLOGY - IL
Job Description:
Bonus eligible for external candidates.
In this role, you will process and prepare pathology and cytology specimens, as defined by CLIA, for pathologist and cytotechnologist interpretation.
Job duties may consist of routine and special staining procedures, IHC and ISH, Mohs and routine frozen sections as required in the diagnosis, treatment and management of pathologic conditions on patients of all ages.
Problem solving skills, participation in Quality Assurance, Quality Control monitoring, instrument maintenance and troubleshooting are required.
Education Qualifications:
Graduate of NAACLS accredited Histotechnician program
OR
Successful completion of 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), 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 5 years
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 1 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 5 years.
Licensure/Certification Qualifications:
Required: ASCP Certification as Histotechnician (HT)
FTE:
1
Possible Remote/Hybrid Option:
Shift Rotation:
Night Rotation (United States of America)
Shift Start Time:
Night Shift
Shift End Time:
Night Shift
Weekends:
No
Holidays:
No
Call Obligation:
No
Union:
USWA Technical Workers SMMC (UTECH)
Union Posting Deadline:
08/14/2026
Compensation Range:
$30.06 - $44.19
Employee Benefits at Essentia Health: At Essentia Health, we’re committed to supporting your well-being, growth, and work-life balance. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, along with supplemental options to fit your needs. We offer a 401(k) plan with employer contributions to help you plan for the future, and we invest in your professional development through training, tuition reimbursement, and educational programs. To help you thrive both at work and at home, we provide flexible scheduling, generous time off, and wellness resources focused on your physical, mental, and emotional health. Please note that benefit eligibility may vary. For full details, refer to your benefit summary or contact our HR Service Center at (218) 576-0000.
Building Location:
Building B - St Marys Medical Center
Department:
2992030 PATHOLOGY - IL
Job Description:
Bonus eligible for external candidates.
In this role, you will process and prepare pathology and cytology specimens, as defined by CLIA, for pathologist and cytotechnologist interpretation.
Job duties may consist of routine and special staining procedures, IHC and ISH, Mohs and routine frozen sections as required in the diagnosis, treatment and management of pathologic conditions on patients of all ages.
Problem solving skills, participation in Quality Assurance, Quality Control monitoring, instrument maintenance and troubleshooting are required.
Education Qualifications:
Graduate of NAACLS accredited Histotechnician program
OR
Successful completion of 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), 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 5 years
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 1 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 5 years.
Licensure/Certification Qualifications:
Required: ASCP Certification as Histotechnician (HT)
FTE:
1
Possible Remote/Hybrid Option:
Shift Rotation:
Night Rotation (United States of America)
Shift Start Time:
Night Shift
Shift End Time:
Night Shift
Weekends:
No
Holidays:
No
Call Obligation:
No
Union:
USWA Technical Workers SMMC (UTECH)
Union Posting Deadline:
08/14/2026
Compensation Range:
$30.06 - $44.19
Employee Benefits at Essentia Health: At Essentia Health, we’re committed to supporting your well-being, growth, and work-life balance. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, along with supplemental options to fit your needs. We offer a 401(k) plan with employer contributions to help you plan for the future, and we invest in your professional development through training, tuition reimbursement, and educational programs. To help you thrive both at work and at home, we provide flexible scheduling, generous time off, and wellness resources focused on your physical, mental, and emotional health. Please note that benefit eligibility may vary. For full details, refer to your benefit summary or contact our HR Service Center at (218) 576-0000.
See all 36+ OPT Histotechnician Jobs
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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.