HISTOTECHNOLOGIST
New Jersey classifies Histotechnologist as non-competitive, which skips the exam-and-list step and turns on whether you meet the minimum requirements.
A bachelor's degree is the listed credential, and extra years on the job can be traded for it. The FY 2027 range lands between $60,876 and $88,743, and state payroll currently lists 2 people in the title, most of them at Agriculture.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Histotechnologist appears on the State payroll at one department, Department of Agriculture.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture | 2 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 2 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $66,895. The agencies employing the most are:
- Agriculture (2)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the general supervision of a veterinary pathologist or other supervisory official in the Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory (AHDL), Division of Animal Health, New Jersey Department of Agriculture, or in the Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner, New Jersey Department of Health, performs histology work involved in the preparation of tissue specimens for examination by a pathologist to provide information on cause and progress of disease; prepares microscopic tissue slides for diagnostic/research purposes; performs tissue stains to assist in diagnosis; handles specimen data entry; maintains laboratory and equipment; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Initiates tissue dissections and grossing; identifies organs, tissues and fluids, and collect specimens upon the direction of the pathologist or by standard operating procedure (SOP); selects appropriate fixatives and preservation for all specimens resulting from necropsy and assure adequate fixation of tissues. Conducts tissue processing, embedding, and staining. Monitors tissues periodically for adequacy of fixation; trims tissues into cassettes or into appropriate medium for frozen sections; operates automated equipment for routine processing of tissues through paraffin; prepares tissues for immunohistochemical staining and in situ hybridization. Conducts routine Hematoxylin and Eosin (H ) staining upon paraffin and frozen sections: Identifies and monitor characteristics of quality in H staining, operates automated stainer and cover-slipper; troubleshoots and corrects problems with chemistry and equipment. Conducts special stains upon paraffin and frozen sections: Implements special stains deemed necessary by pathologists; conducts immunohistochemical stains upon paraffin and frozen sections; implements various antigen retrieval techniques as needed to develop new procedures; troubleshoots issues of malfunctioning equipment and unsatisfactory stains. Maintains the inventory of stored tissues and supplies under the direction of a pathologist: Identifies tissues and specimens for long-term preservation and storage; dispose of tissues and specimens at the direction of a pathologist or according to SOP; maintains orderly storage systems for wet tissues, paraffin blocks, frozen blocks and finished slides. Maintains the inventory of histology supplies. Maintains supplies of fixatives, solvents, materials and other supplies for preservation and processing of tissues into completed routine slides; maintains an inventory of reagent antibodies, primers and related supplies for fluorescent antibody (FA), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH). Reviews, modifies, develops, validates, and implements special stains, immunohistochemical stains, and other histology procedures including but not limited to feasibility studies, optimization of reagents in assay, determining sensitivity and specificity, comparison and harmonization of assays. Prepares records and SOPs in support of quality management system; assists in securing ISO or American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) accreditation or College of American Pathologists (CAP), s applicable. Maintains essential records, reports, and files. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of the histologic laboratory materials and supplies including reagents, preservatives, chemicals, media, instruments, and microscopes. Knowledge of the programming and operation of general laboratory and automated histology equipment. Knowledge of the methods and techniques of receiving, routing, identifying, labeling, and mounting tissues and of shipping specimens. Knowledge of the various processes such as dehydrating, embedding, staining, clearing, and mounting. Knowledge of the gross and microanatomy to aid in identification of tissues. Knowledge and experience with quality assurance related to all of the following: specimen fixation, processing, microtomy; reagent selection, preparation, storage, disposal; method selection, validation, documentation; quality control; safety. Ability to use microscope, cryostat, microtome, tissue processors, and stainers including immunohistochemistry platform. Ability to follow detailed and complicated instructions and to section and embed tissue specimens, stain and mount tissues, prepare tissue slides, and label and store slides. Ability to assemble tissue specimens and slides for diagnosis and education and demonstration use by pathologists. Ability to prepare scientific reports and write technical SOPs. Ability to apply knowledge of histologic procedures to a laboratory setting. Ability to manipulate with accuracy the various instruments and equipment found in the laboratory. Ability to maintain records relating to histologic procedures. Ability to distinguish colors. Ability to provide guidance and assistance to technical or other staff involved in the work of the unit. Ability to evaluate situation and make sound decisions. Ability to maintain cooperative relationships with personnel in the unit. Ability to actively take part in meetings and conferences. Ability to establish and maintain essential records, reports, and files. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those interested or involved in the work of the unit. Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Six (6) years of professional experience as a technician in a full-service histopathology laboratory working under the supervision of a board certified or board eligible veterinary or human pathologist, or a qualified medical scientist, including or supplemented by thirty (30) semester hour credits in any combination of biology and chemistry coursework (must include credit hours in both disciplines). OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university including or supplemented by thirty (30) semester hour credits in any combination of biology and chemistry coursework (must include credit hours in both disciplines); and two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.
CERTIFICATION
Appointees must be eligible for or have successfully completed the Histotechnician (HT) or Histotechnologist (HTL) certification issued by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP). The appointing authority is responsible for verification.