Job Check
Histotechnologists
Apply knowledge of health and disease causes to evaluate new laboratory techniques and procedures to examine tissue samples. Process and prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May solve technical or instrument problems or assist with research studies.
10 main tasks · most important first
Your main tasks and AI
Importance- 01Embed tissue specimens into paraffin wax blocks, or infiltrate tissue specimens with wax.Mostly human for now
- 02Cut sections of body tissues for microscopic examination, using microtomes.Mostly human for now
- 03Stain tissue specimens with dyes or other chemicals to make cell details visible under microscopes.Mostly human for now
- 04Compile materials for distribution to pathologists, such as surgical working drafts, requisitions, and slides.AI could speed this up, with extra tools
- 05Compile and maintain records of preventive maintenance and instrument performance checks according to schedule and regulations.AI could speed this up a lot
- 06Perform tests by following physician instructions.AI could speed this up a lot
- 07Operate computerized laboratory equipment to dehydrate, decalcify, or microincinerate tissue samples.Mostly human for now
- 08Prepare substances, such as reagents and dilution, and stains for histological specimens according to protocols.Mostly human for now
- 09Resolve problems with laboratory equipment and instruments, such as microscopes, mass spectrometers, microtomes, immunostainers, tissue processors, embedding centers, and water baths.Mostly human for now
- 10Examine slides under microscopes to ensure tissue preparation meets laboratory requirements.AI could speed this up, with extra tools
Tasks from O*NET® 31.0 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0, changed by us), most important first. “Already use” comes from Anthropic’s data on real work chats with Claude; “could speed up” from task ratings made with GPT-4 in 2023.
Four studies, side by side
None is a forecast of job loss28%of this job’s tasks an AI model could do in half the time, counting tasks that need extra tools as half (rated in 2023).Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock, 2023
Above 90% of jobsin how much of this job’s physical work robots have been shown to do, from factories to homes (2026).Anthropic, 2026
Your human edge
The main tasks with no real AI use seen and no big speed-up expected. This is where your skill counts most today.
- Embed tissue specimens into paraffin wax blocks, or infiltrate tissue specimens with wax.
- Cut sections of body tissues for microscopic examination, using microtomes.
- Stain tissue specimens with dyes or other chemicals to make cell details visible under microscopes.