Histotechnologists
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 29-2011.04
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.
- Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.31
0.09Range of values carried here0.70Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
- Data source: OpenAIPublished: 2023
0.063
0.000Range of values carried here0.844Scale, basis and source
Task-level exposure
Exposed tasks only16 rated tasks · 7 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (43.8%)
β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.
- Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
- All rated tasks are in the O*NET 31.0 task list.
- Source
- OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
- Release
- gh-main-0471612
- License
- MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI
Tasks of O*NET-SOC 2010 occupation 29-2011.03 Histotechnologists and Histologic Technicians, linked to this occupation by the O*NET-SOC 2010 to 2019 crosswalk
| Task (O*NET 20.1) | Claude.aiRaw / share % | APIRaw / share % |
|---|---|---|
Prepare or use prepared tissue specimens for teaching, research or diagnostic purposes.29-2011.03 | 0.004152.6 | 0.00209.9 |
Identify tissue structures or cell components to be used in the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of diseases.29-2011.03 | 0.003747.4 | 0.017790.1 |
| Not observed on any surface — 12 task(s) — These tasks have no row in the source for this release. The 0 in the share row is a display-stage composition ratio; absence is what the — in the raw row states. | ||
Cut sections of body tissues for microscopic examination using microtomes. | —0 | —0 |
Embed tissue specimens into paraffin wax blocks or infiltrate tissue specimens with wax. | —0 | —0 |
Freeze tissue specimens. | —0 | —0 |
Mount tissue specimens on glass slides. | —0 | —0 |
Stain tissue specimens with dyes or other chemicals to make cell details visible under microscopes. | —0 | —0 |
Examine slides under microscopes to ensure tissue preparation meets laboratory requirements. | —0 | —0 |
Operate computerized laboratory equipment to dehydrate, decalcify, or microincinerate tissue samples. | —0 | —0 |
Perform procedures associated with histochemistry to prepare specimens for immunofluorescence or microscopy. | —0 | —0 |
Maintain laboratory equipment such as microscopes, mass spectrometers, microtomes, immunostainers, tissue processors, embedding centers, and water baths. | —0 | —0 |
Supervise histology laboratory activities. | —0 | —0 |
Teach students or other staff. | —0 | —0 |
Perform electron microscopy or mass spectrometry to analyze specimens. | —0 | —0 |
Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.
| Task (O*NET 27.2) | βE1 + 0.5 × E2 |
|---|---|
Compile and maintain records of preventive maintenance and instrument performance checks according to schedule and regulations.O*NET Task ID 22778 | 1.0 |
Perform tests by following physician instructions.O*NET Task ID 22787 | 1.0 |
Compile materials for distribution to pathologists, such as surgical working drafts, requisitions, and slides.O*NET Task ID 22779 | 0.5 |
Examine slides under microscopes to ensure tissue preparation meets laboratory requirements.O*NET Task ID 22782 | 0.5 |
Identify tissue structures or cell components to be used in the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of diseases.O*NET Task ID 22783 | 0.5 |
Prepare or use prepared tissue specimens for teaching, research or diagnostic purposes.O*NET Task ID 22788 | 0.5 |
Supervise histology laboratory activities.O*NET Task ID 22792 | 0.5 |
Cut sections of body tissues for microscopic examination, using microtomes.O*NET Task ID 22780 | 0.0 |
Embed tissue specimens into paraffin wax blocks, or infiltrate tissue specimens with wax.O*NET Task ID 22781 | 0.0 |
Operate computerized laboratory equipment to dehydrate, decalcify, or microincinerate tissue samples.O*NET Task ID 22784 | 0.0 |
Perform electron microscopy or mass spectrometry to analyze specimens.O*NET Task ID 22785 | 0.0 |
Perform procedures associated with histochemistry to prepare specimens for immunofluorescence or microscopy.O*NET Task ID 22786 | 0.0 |
Prepare substances, such as reagents and dilution, and stains for histological specimens according to protocols.O*NET Task ID 22789 | 0.0 |
Resolve problems with laboratory equipment and instruments, such as microscopes, mass spectrometers, microtomes, immunostainers, tissue processors, embedding centers, and water baths.O*NET Task ID 22790 | 0.0 |
Stain tissue specimens with dyes or other chemicals to make cell details visible under microscopes.O*NET Task ID 22791 | 0.0 |
Teach students or other staff.O*NET Task ID 22793 | 0.0 |
β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.
Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Anthropic Economic Index, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page
All O*NET 31.0 task statements (16)
All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.
| Task (O*NET 31.0) | Type |
|---|---|
| Compile and maintain records of preventive maintenance and instrument performance checks according to schedule and regulations. | Core |
| Compile materials for distribution to pathologists, such as surgical working drafts, requisitions, and slides. | Core |
| Cut sections of body tissues for microscopic examination, using microtomes. | Core |
| Embed tissue specimens into paraffin wax blocks, or infiltrate tissue specimens with wax. | Core |
| Examine slides under microscopes to ensure tissue preparation meets laboratory requirements. | Core |
| Identify tissue structures or cell components to be used in the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of diseases. | Core |
| Operate computerized laboratory equipment to dehydrate, decalcify, or microincinerate tissue samples. | Core |
| Perform procedures associated with histochemistry to prepare specimens for immunofluorescence or microscopy. | Core |
| Perform tests by following physician instructions. | Core |
| Prepare or use prepared tissue specimens for teaching, research or diagnostic purposes. | Core |
| Prepare substances, such as reagents and dilution, and stains for histological specimens according to protocols. | Core |
| Resolve problems with laboratory equipment and instruments, such as microscopes, mass spectrometers, microtomes, immunostainers, tissue processors, embedding centers, and water baths. | Core |
| Stain tissue specimens with dyes or other chemicals to make cell details visible under microscopes. | Core |
| Supervise histology laboratory activities. | Core |
| Teach students or other staff. | Core |
| Perform electron microscopy or mass spectrometry to analyze specimens. | Supplemental |
1.04/ 3· Robot exposure index
Scale, basis and source
Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time
Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks
Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.
The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.
Tier of each physical task
Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)
E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site
Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.
| Task (O*NET 29.3) | Robot environment tier |
|---|---|
| Compile materials for distribution to pathologists, such as surgical working drafts, requisitions, and slides. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Cut sections of body tissues for microscopic examination, using microtomes. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Embed tissue specimens into paraffin wax blocks, or infiltrate tissue specimens with wax. | E2 structured facilities |
| Examine slides under microscopes to ensure tissue preparation meets laboratory requirements. | E2 structured facilities |
| Operate computerized laboratory equipment to dehydrate, decalcify, or microincinerate tissue samples. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Perform procedures associated with histochemistry to prepare specimens for immunofluorescence or microscopy. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Perform tests by following physician instructions. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Prepare or use prepared tissue specimens for teaching, research or diagnostic purposes. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Prepare substances, such as reagents and dilution, and stains for histological specimens according to protocols. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Resolve problems with laboratory equipment and instruments, such as microscopes, mass spectrometers, microtomes, immunostainers, tissue processors, embedding centers, and water baths. | E0 none |
| Stain tissue specimens with dyes or other chemicals to make cell details visible under microscopes. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Perform electron microscopy or mass spectrometry to analyze specimens. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
The BLS Employment Projections table has no row for SOC 29-2011.
Korea classification links (KSCO)
Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.
| KSCO code | KSCO title | Relation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24610 | 임상병리사 | This occupation is narrower | confirmed |
Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)
ILO occupational description
AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.
- ISCO-08 3212Medical and Pathology Laboratory Technicians
The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.
Medical and pathology laboratory technicians perform clinical tests on specimens of bodily fluids and tissues in order to obtain information about the health of a patient or cause of death.
Tasks
- (a) conducting chemical analysis of body fluids, including blood, urine and spinal fluid, to determine presence of normal and abnormal components;
- (b) operating, calibrating and maintaining equipment used in quantitative and qualitative analysis, such as spectrophotometers, calorimeters, flame photometers and computer-controlled analysers;
- (c) entering data from analysis of laboratory tests and clinical results into records-keeping systems and reporting results to medical practitioners and other health professionals;
- (d) analysing samples of biological material for chemical content or reaction;
- (e) setting up, cleaning and maintaining laboratory equipment;
- (f) analysing laboratory findings to check the accuracy of the results;
- (g) establishing and monitoring programmes to ensure the accuracy of laboratory results and developing, standardizing, evaluating, and modifying procedures, techniques and tests used in the analysis of specimens;
- (h) obtaining specimens, cultivating, isolating and identifying microorganisms for analysis;
- (i) examining cells stained with dye to locate abnormalities;
- (j) inoculating fertilized eggs, broths or other bacteriological media with organisms.
Example occupations
Blood-bank technician · Cytology technician · Medical laboratory technician · Pathology technician
Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits
ESCO occupational vocabulary
Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.
- biomedical scientistESCO 3212.1This occupation is narrower
Biomedical scientists perform all laboratory methods required as part of medical examination, treatment and research activities, particularly clinical-chemical, haematological, immuno-haematological, histological, cytological, microbiological, parasitological, mycological, serological and radiological tests. They perform analytical sample testing and report the results to the medical staff for further diagnosis. Biomedical Scientists may apply these methods in particular in the infection, blood or cellular sciences.
- cytology screenerESCO 3212.1.2Overlapping, not the same
Cytology screeners examine under a microscope samples of human cells obtained from various body parts such as the female reproductive tract, the lung or gastrointestinal tract, assist in identifying cell abnormality and disease such as cancer or infectious agents under supervision, following the orders of the doctor of medicine.The abnormal cells are being transferred to the pathologist for medical diagnosis. They may also work under the supervision of a biomedical scientist. They do not treat patients or assist in medical treatments.
Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)
License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)
ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.
France classification links (ROME)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.
| ROME code | ROME title (French) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| J1302 | Technicien / Technicienne de laboratoire d'analyses médicales | This occupation is narrower |
Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.
ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)
Spain classification links (CNO-11)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| CNO-11 code | CNO-11 title (Spanish) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 3313 | Técnicos en anatomía patológica y citología | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)
Germany classification links (KldB)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| KldB code | KldB title (German) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 81213 | Medizinisch-technische Berufe im Laboratorium - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | This occupation is narrower |
| 81212 | Medizinisch-technische Berufe im Laboratorium - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten | Related, not a match |
Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)
Japan classification links (JSCO)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| JSCO code | JSCO title (Japanese) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 143 | 臨床検査技師 | This occupation is narrower |
Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)
Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources