The primary responsibilities of histotechnologists include:
1. Tissue Processing: They dehydrate, clear, and infiltrate tissues with paraffin or other embedding media to prepare them for sectioning. 2. Sectioning: Using a microtome, they cut thin tissue sections, typically 4-5 micrometers thick, which are then placed on slides for further analysis. 3. Staining: They apply various stains to the tissue sections to highlight specific structures or elements within the tissue, aiding in the identification of cellular components. 4. Quality Control: Ensuring that slides are prepared correctly without artifacts that could lead to misdiagnosis. 5. Maintenance: They maintain and calibrate laboratory equipment to ensure optimal performance.
