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Histology and Cytology Basics for Laboratory Personnel
This course reviews the fundamentals of histology and cytology specimen handling, including fixation, processing, embedding, sectioning, staining, Pap testing, and fine needle aspiration workflows. Designed for histology, cytology, and clinical laboratory personnel, it emphasizes specimen labeling, chain of custody, artifact prevention, quality control, rejection criteria, and regulatory expectations for anatomic pathology testing.
Course Objectives
- Describe how histology and cytology fit within the broader anatomic pathology workflow and why they differ from clinical chemistry and microbiology testing.
- Explain the purpose of fixation and identify the errors that most commonly compromise tissue morphology.
- Outline the sequence of tissue processing steps and describe how each prepares the specimen for sectioning.
- Differentiate routine hematoxylin and eosin staining from special and immunohistochemical stains and describe their diagnostic purposes.
- Identify the major categories of cytology specimens and the fixation and preparation method appropriate to each.
- Describe the Papanicolaou test workflow from collection through cytotechnologist screening and pathologist sign-out.
- Apply quality control and specimen identification practices that protect against mislabeling and misidentification.
- Summarize the Florida and federal regulatory requirements that govern anatomic pathology laboratory operations.
Course Author
Information
- Relevance: This course is relevant to histotechnicians, histotechnologists, cytotechnologists, and other clinical laboratory personnel involved in tissue and cell specimen handling, processing, staining, quality control, and anatomic pathology testing.
- Content Level: Intermediate
- Course Format: This course is offered as a self-paced distance learning format (reading-based online activity)
- System Requirements: This course is offered online. Internet connection required.
- Course Completion Information: To earn continuing education credit, professionals must register and pay the fee for the course. They must read the content and demonstrate understanding by earning a minimum score of 70 percent on testing materials. The certificate of completion will be able to be downloaded after the above is completed. Refunds will be granted upon request with the withdrawal of credit for the course. For questions, concerns, or to request special accommodations, please call 866-863-4225 or email ContactUs@BaysideCEU.com.
- CEBroker Course ID: 1391561
- Credit Hours: 1
- Last Updated: July 20, 2026
This course is relevant to histotechnicians, histotechnologists, cytotechnologists, and other clinical laboratory personnel involved in tissue and cell specimen handling, processing, staining, quality control, and anatomic pathology testing.
- CE Hours 1 hour
- CEBroker Course ID 1391561