Clinical Pathology Technician
りんしょうびょうりけんさいん
Industry & Occupation
Classification
- Major : Medical, Nursing, and Health Occupations
- Middle : Medical Technicians
- Minor : Medical Laboratory Technologists
Summary
Specialist who examines tissues and cells collected from patients using pathological methods, contributing to the diagnosis of lesions and decisions on treatment plans.
Description
Clinical pathology technicians fix, dehydrate, and embed tissues and cells collected from biopsies or surgeries, then use a microtome to create thin sections. They apply H&E staining, special stains, immunohistochemical staining, etc., observe morphological changes in detail under a microscope, and determine the presence or absence of abnormalities. They provide these results to pathologists to support optimal diagnosis and treatment planning. Advanced technical skills, precision, knowledge of safety management, and quality control are required.
Future Outlook
Stable demand is expected due to increasing cancer screening needs with aging population. Specialization will be further emphasized with the introduction of digital pathology and AI diagnostic support technologies.
Personality Traits
Cautious and meticulous / High concentration / Strong sense of responsibility
Work Style
24/7 Operation / Hospital Employment / Private Laboratory Employment / Research Institute Employment / Shift Work
Career Path
Clinical Laboratory Technician → Chief Clinical Laboratory Technician → Laboratory Director → Clinical Specialist → Graduate School and Research Position
Required Skills
Cytology Specimen Preparation / Immunohistochemistry / Laboratory Safety Management / Microscopic Observation / Tissue Section Preparation / Tissue Staining Techniques
Recommended Skills
Digital Pathology / Electron Microscopy Operation / English Literature Reading / Molecular Biology Experiments
Aptitudes (Strengths Preferred)
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Analytical & Logical Thinking | Logical thinking is required to infer lesions from morphological features. |
| Attention to Detail & Accuracy | Precision is required to not overlook subtle differences in tissue structures. |
| Learning Agility & Knowledge Acquisition | Continuous learning of new technologies and staining methods, etc., is necessary. |
Aptitudes (Weaknesses Acceptable)
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Creativity & Ideation | Requires accurate execution of standardized testing procedures, with little need for novel ideas. |
Related Qualifications
- Certified Cytotechnologist by the Japanese Society of Clinical Cytology
- National Clinical Laboratory Technician Examination
Aliases
- Clinical Laboratory Technician (Pathology)
- Pathology Technician
Related Jobs
- Clinical Laboratory Technician
- Clinical Microbiological Technician
- Cytotechnologist
- Pathologist